On the race calendar for July 31, Elkhorn Crest 50 is a true mountain ultra. There are two “fifties” to choose from: a slightly-longer-than-usual 53M and a 50K. The courses largely follow the Elkhorn Crest Trail, with varied terrain from smooth single track to rocky, technical sections and some forest service roads. This beautiful race will take you across sub-alpine forests and grasslands, showcasing views over the Wallowas, the Blue Mountains, and Baker Valley.…
**GIVEN THE UNCERTAINTY OF THINGS DUE TO COVID-19, PLEASE NOTE THAT WE ARE PREVIEWING THIS RACE AS IF IT IS STILL OCCURRING . WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO FOLLOW THESE RACES ON SOCIAL MEDIA OR THEIR WEBSITES TO DETERMINE IF CHANGES ARE BEING MADE** My first time being exposed to Ultra running was going to Pac Rim a few years ago. I went to cheer on a friend. I also planned to run a few laps…
**GIVEN THE UNCERTAINTY OF THINGS DUE TO COVID-19, PLEASE NOTE THAT WE ARE PREVIEWING THIS RACE AS IF IT IS STILL OCCURRING . WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO FOLLOW THESE RACES ON SOCIAL MEDIA OR THEIR WEBSITES TO DETERMINE IF CHANGES ARE BEING MADE** The Shotgun Trail Blast put on by Level 32 Racing is sure to be a fun one especially for those looking for an early spring 50K Ultra Marathon this year. For those…
Every year, new races pop up all over the place while some go away. This fall, there’s a trail race happening in the Columbia River Gorge, being put on by a new race director, that is sure to get your attention … if you like hills. The 25K has 4,300 feet of gain, while the 50K has 7,300 feet of gain. And while runners of ultras know that hills are often part of the bargain,…
The annual Willamette Headwaters Endurance Events (WHEE) will be run from the Sacandaga Campground near Oakridge, Oregon, on October 5th. Participants can choose between 11 miles, 22 miles, and 33 miles, with offer a elevation gain of 1,400ft, 2,800ft, and 5,500ft, respectively. The course for each distance is an out-and-back along the single track, technical Middle Fork Trail, so whichever elevation you gain on the first half of the course, you will lose again in…
I’m not going to lie and say this was easy, nor am I going to tell you I ran the whole way with a smile on my face. To be fair, there were moments that found me smiling, especially as I crossed that finish line. But this race was all about determination and redemption, as are a lot of ultras for most of us. We kick, scratch, claw, bite at, and gnaw our way through…
Outside of a little town called Glide, there is a trailhead called Swiftwater – located a mere 25 minutes northeast of Roseburg. The trailhead gets its name from the quick current running downstream from Deadline Falls, which happens to be right next to the starting point of the NUT 100K/50K trail race, put on Go Beyond Racing. The NUT was first introduced to us in 2015, and met with much enthusiasm as a premier ultra…
Most anyone who runs trails knows that Bend is a Mecca, of sorts, when it comes to primo places to run and race. Out toward Mt Bachelor, and throughout the Cascade Lakes area, there are miles and miles of trails to lose yourself in, including some popular routes that meander near and along the Deschutes River. One such set of trails, called Tiddlywinks (I’m not making that up, I swear), makes up the entirety of…
Trail races abound in Oregon, from east to west, from north to south; every distance you want is out there, pretty much. Some are much tougher than others, some offer stunning scenery, and some even have amazing race organizers and volunteers. However, few offer all that and more like you’ll find at Ochoco Trail Runs from Alpine Running. Last year at Ochoco, I completed my first 50K. Why in the world did I attempt a…
The Elijah Bristow 24 hour run is back for its 6th year, bringing with it many former racers who ran it last year. If there’s one thing about the ultra-running community I know, it’s that runners often love to challenge themselves by returning to certain races in order to be better than the year before. Or, as is often the case with me, I love returning to certain races because of the organizers and volunteers…and…
