If you are looking to run the distance and challenge yourself this summer, consider looking into the 2022 Elkhorn Crest 50 on Saturday, July 23rd. This event will take you along the Elkhorn Mountain ridgeline in Sumpter, OR where you will have an average elevation of over 7200 feet to contend with. There are two options, a 53 mile ultra or a 50k distance, depending on which challenge you want to take. Either one will offer you panoramic views of the Blue Mountains, Baker Valley, and the Wallowas as well as a good mix of both rocky as well as smooth single track terrain. This event will also benefit the Baker City High School cross country/track team.
The 50k will start on an old mining road in Bourne, OR and you can view the details of the course here. There will be 3 fully stocked aid stations on the course where you will find things like PB&J sandwiches, chips, Skout bars, gels, fruit, soda, Carbopro, and sweet and salty snacks. Runners will be required to have the ability to carry 1.5 liters of fluid and must have a headlamp with extra batteries. It’s recommended that runners carry the same supplies required for the ultra, though the other items are not mandatory for the 50k. There will be no drop bag option.
The 53 mile course (a qualifying race for UTMB) can be viewed here. This race will follow the Elkhorn Mountain ridgeline and has an average elevation of over 7200 ft, with 11,00 ft of climing and loss packed into those 53 miles. There will be 6 aid stations on the course stocked with the same food and drink options as listed above for the 50k. For your own safety, the following will be required for the ultra distance: Ability to carry 1.5 liters of fluid, jacket, emergency blanket, and headlamp and extra batteries. There are three strict cut-offs at Aid Station #3 (Pole Creek) at 11:00AM, Aid Station #4 (Twin Lakes) at 3:00PM, and at Aid Station #5 (Marble Pass) at 5:30PM. You must LEAVE each aid station by the cut off time. There will be a drop bag location at Twin Lakes (Aid Station #4, mile 28.9.) See guidelines here.
Please plan on bringing your own cup/water bottle for either distance, as this race will be a “cupless” event to avoid waste. Don’t forget to bring your own hydration container of your choice!
There will be no runner drop-off in Bourne at the race start. There will be shuttles which leave the fairgrounds in Sumpter at 4:45AM for the 53 Miler and 6:15AM for the 50k that will take everyone to the start in Bourne. Please don’t miss the shuttles and please be on time!
After the race, stay for the food and beer from Elkhorn Grills, which will be provided to all racers and volunteers. Friends and family may nosh also for a small fee. There will be showers available as well for $2.50 for 4 minutes (FYI these require quarters and there is no quarter machine!) Awesome prizes will go to the top finishers. You are welcome to tent camp for free at the finish in the fairgounds Friday, Saturday, and/or Sunday. 20 RV sites will be available as well for $25 for the weekend. You can reserve an RV site through the registration process on Ultrasignup. Keep the noise to a minimum after 10:0PM and please be mindful of neighbors to the fairgrounds if you bring dogs, which must be well-behaved, leashed, and cleaned up after per the City of Sumpter. Also, you cannot leave your dog unattended at any time.
Come for the journey and stay for the celebration. It should be an unforgettable race!
Details:
What: 2022 Elkhorn Crest 50
When: Saturday July 23rd, 2022. 53 Miler starts at 5:30AM and 50k begins at 7:00AM.
Where: Sumpter Fairgrounds, Sumpter OR. Shuttle will pick up runners in Bourne and drive them to the start line. There will be NO RUNNER DROP OFF at the start.
Cost: 53 Miler is $180, 50k is $150
Register: Here
Packet Pick-Up: Race morning at the fairgrounds in Sumpter from 3:30AM -6:00AM.
