General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Best Trail 50 Mile Ultras in US Rss Feed  
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2011-08-18 3:23 PM

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Subject: Best Trail 50 Mile Ultras in US
I need ultra race suggestions for 2012. I'm planning on doing some local trail races as tuneups for my goal of a 50 miler in the fall, and I need help picking a 50 mile destination race. Here's what I want: almost all trails (no pavement), significant elevation change (5-10k feet would be great), spectacular scenery, mostly woods (rather than open fields), no lottery entry, fall event, and within the US or borderland Canada. I was looking at Grand Teton Races and Vermont 50 if anyone has done these.

What else ya got?


2011-08-18 4:11 PM
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Subject: RE: Best Trail 50 Mile Ultras in US
Bull Run Run in Northern VA >>>>  http://www.vhtrc.org/brr/index.htm 

All trails, challenging but not ridiculously so.  I'm not sure I would call the scenery "spectacular" but its all trail (other than crossing a couple of small roads), almost all woods with much of it alongside water.

Well organized and supported. If you bring family its only about 40 minutes to Washington DC to see the sites there or 15 minutes to the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum at Dulles airport where they filmed part of the Transformer movie (part 2 I think).

Good luck with whatever you decide.

ETA: ooops, just saw you were looking for a FALL race ... never mind    But if you decide on Spring, I highly recommend this one.

Edited by glf33 2011-08-18 4:13 PM
2011-08-18 7:10 PM
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Subject: RE: Best Trail 50 Mile Ultras in US

I did the Vermont 50k last year. The 31 miles I ran were all part of the 50 mile course.

- No pavement except for first 1/2 mile and 1/2 mile 3 miles from finish.

- Good amount of elevation change

- 15+ miles of single track in the woods

Had a good time at my first ultra, they had great aid stations would definitely recommend it.  

2011-08-20 8:39 AM
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Subject: RE: Best Trail 50 Mile Ultras in US

yeats - 2011-08-18 4:23 PM I need ultra race suggestions for 2012. I'm planning on doing some local trail races as tuneups for my goal of a 50 miler in the fall, and I need help picking a 50 mile destination race. Here's what I want: almost all trails (no pavement), significant elevation change (5-10k feet would be great), spectacular scenery, mostly woods (rather than open fields), no lottery entry, fall event, and within the US or borderland Canada. I was looking at Grand Teton Races and Vermont 50 if anyone has done these. What else ya got?

Check out the West Virginia Trilogy. You can do any or all of: 50k day 1, 50mi day 2, half marathon day 3): http://www.wvmtr.org/events/west-virginia-trilogy-table-of-contents/

I did the half last year and am doing the whole three days this year. It fits your criteria perfectly, is a great race, and the context is awesome -- everyone camps, it's at a great organization's place in the hills, last year they roasted a pig on Sunday. Check out the winner's race report, linked to from the above website.

2011-08-20 9:29 AM
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Subject: RE: Best Trail 50 Mile Ultras in US
Two votes so far for races in northern Virginia/West Virginia region, so that's a good place for me to start looking. Plus they have Massanutten 100 up there, which people love, so it sounds like there are great trail systems. Also good to see a thumbs up for Vermont 50 trail races. Thanks!
2011-08-21 1:36 PM
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Subject: RE: Best Trail 50 Mile Ultras in US
Grand Tetons is an AMAZING race. I did the 100 out there a couple of years ago


2011-08-30 5:53 PM
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Subject: RE: Best Trail 50 Mile Ultras in US
I too have been looking to do a 50, and the ones I've considered in the fall are

SlickRock 50 in Moab-
Run completely on dirt, rock, and even sand, between Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park, single loop trail with spires, arches, towering monuments, slickrock, sand dunes, river, and a view of the Rocky Mountains in the distance.
10-8-11
http://www.runmoab.com/Home_Page.php


But what might suit you best of all would be the Devil Mtn 50, Pagosa Springs Colo.
Run through some of the most remote and pristine old growth forest in the US, 100% off road, 80% singletrack, 8,300' of gain in the 50 mile, topping out at just over 9,800ft, beautiful fall color, crisp Mtn air.
10-1-11
http://www.joingecko.org/info.asp?uid=310


I personally am Interested in the
Heartland 50 in Cassoday Kansas-
Through some of the last remaining tallgrass prairie in the US. The openness of the course presents challenges you won't face in other races, and for 2011 is run as a night race, starting at 6pm. The Moon will be 92.3% Illuminated, rising at 5:11pm and setting at 4:22am. Read the Info Booklet for more, uh, info. It MAY be a day race again in 2012. Have to wait and see.
10-8-11
Race Info booklet- http://www.ksultrarunners.org/hl50booklet11.pdf
http://www.ksultrarunners.org/

Best of Luck!
2011-08-30 6:12 PM
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Subject: RE: Best Trail 50 Mile Ultras in US
Yes, Moab and check out Leadville Colorado.
2011-08-30 9:00 PM
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Subject: RE: Best Trail 50 Mile Ultras in US

What about the MMTR in October?

http://www.eco-xsports.com/events/mmtr/

Not sure when, but it's on my to-do list!

2011-08-31 3:08 PM
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Subject: RE: Best Trail 50 Mile Ultras in US
erodda - 2011-08-30 6:53 PM

But what might suit you best of all would be the Devil Mtn 50, Pagosa Springs Colo.
Run through some of the most remote and pristine old growth forest in the US, 100% off road, 80% singletrack, 8,300' of gain in the 50 mile, topping out at just over 9,800ft, beautiful fall color, crisp Mtn air.
10-1-11
http://www.joingecko.org/info.asp?uid=310

Best of Luck!


Wow that looks like a perfect race for me! Thanks so much for posting this and good luck on your training + race
2011-09-01 11:52 PM
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Subject: Deadman Peaks Trail Run

Here is another option:  Deadman Peaks Trail Run  Although, from what you are looking for, it may not have enough forest sections.

I am planning to run the Devil Mountain 50km, should be a nice time to run up there.



2011-09-02 8:12 AM
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Subject: RE: Best Trail 50 Mile Ultras in US
This is a great thread... I'm getting more and more inspired toward ultras. And more and more wishing I were living in the southwest again...
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