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The first weekend of October kicks off with an epic weekend of ultramarathon action and over 70 races on the UltraRunning Magazine race calendar. In this week’s What’s Up in Ultra, we journey to California, Arkansas, Illinois and Oregon.
Cuyamaca 100k
We begin in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, one hour east of San Diego, California, for the 13th annual Cuyamaca 100k. Runners will head out at 6:30 a.m. Saturday and attempt to navigate 8,800 feet of climbing over three distinct loops that start and finish at Camp Cuyamaca. The first and longest loop covers 31.5 miles and hits the race’s highest point, Cuyamaca Peak at 6,500 feet. The second loop is 12.6 miles and journeys through the southeast corner of the park. And the third loop is 18.3 miles and features spectacular views throughout Anza Borrego Desert State Park and along the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). Having run this race twice before, I can attest that one of the biggest challenges runners will face is the potential for high temperatures. While it might officially be fall, the SoCal desert heat can be intense, and the course provides little shade. I can also confirm that the race is very well run with a great vibe and tremendous volunteers. Cuyamaca is a proud supporter of the Runners for Public Lands organization.
Arkansas Traveler 100
Our next stop takes us to Arkansas’s Ouachita National Forest for the 33rd annual Arkansas Traveler 100. First run in 1991, the Arkansas Traveler is well-regarded as a genuine ultrarunning experience renowned for its southern hospitality and group of dedicated volunteers. The 100-mile race begins on Saturday with a 17-mile loop followed by an 83-mile out-and-back through the Ouachita Mountains. The majority of the course takes place on forest roads and jeep trails, with “sneaky-hard runnable hills” that add up to around 12,000 feet of elevation gain. Race highlights include scenic trails with fall colors, hanging out with an amazing trail running community and enjoying a post-race breakfast prepared and served by the William’s Junction Volunteer Fire Department. Participants have 30 hours to complete the course for an official finish, with coveted colored enamel buckles awarded to sub-24-hour finishers.
The Hennepin Hundred
Heading to northwest Illinois, we visit The Hennepin Hundred (100-mile, 50-mile and 50k races). Illinois’s only point-to-point ultramarathon run on trails, the 100-mile event begins in Sterling, Illinois, and finishes in Colona, Illinois. The entirety of the race takes place on the Hennepin Canal State Trail, a flat and fast multi-use trail that’s ideal for first-time 100-milers and runners looking to set a PR. Along their journey, participants will run along the Hennepin Canal where they’ll cross historic locks and aqueducts and pass by quaint towns and picturesque farmlands. The 100-mile participants have 30 hours to complete the course and earn their buckle and finisher’s flannel, with special “big” buckles awarded to sub-24-hour finishers. Learn more about the 50-mile and 50k races here.
Wildcard: Perpetua Coast 50k
In this week’s Wildcard race, where we feature an event you may not be familiar with, we travel to Yachats, Oregon, for the Perpetua Coast 50k. Formerly known as the Oregon Coast 50k, the Perpetua Coast takes place in the charming seaside town of Yachats and takes runners on a lollipop course that begins at the beach and then heads out to the epic single-track old-growth rainforest trails of the Cape Perpetua Scenic Area. Perpetua Coast 50k features 5,700 feet of climbing and some of the most postcard views you’ll find at any race, highlighted by the expansive Pacific Ocean vista from atop Cape Perpetua. Runners have 9 hours to finish the race.
Other events this weekend include Black Forest 100k (North Bend, PA), Blues Cruise (Redding, PA), Whistler 50 (Whistler, BC), Shawnee 50/50 Trail Runs (West Portsmouth, OH), The Bull Mountain Epic (Dahlonega, GA), Bear Lake Ultra (Lapeer, MI), Whitefish Trail Legacy Run (Whitefish, MT), DC Peaks 50 (Kaysville, UT), Dana Peak Trail Run (Harkey Heights, TX), Above the Clouds Ultra (Woodland Park, CO), Baker Lake Ultras (Baker Lake, WA), Saddles 100 (Prescott, AZ), and Fire Tower Trail Races (Hinckley, MN).
Check out our full list of events here, and good luck to everyone racing this weekend.