Runners tackle a climb at the Tamalpa Headlands 50k. Photo: Tiare Bowman

In this week’s What’s Up in Ultra, we feature an UltraRunning Magazine “Old School Ultra” in California, a classic high-altitude 100-miler in Colorado, a trail running championship in British Columbia and a West Virginia wild card straight out of a John Denver song.

Tamalpa Headlands 50k

We start in Muir Beach, California, for the Tamalpa Headlands 50k, where participants will have 10 hours to tackle 6,500 feet of elevation gain on some of the West Coast’s best trails, including the Coastal, Miwok, Steep Ravine, Matt Davis and Dipsea trails. Founded in 1988, the single-loop course features a mix of fire roads and single-track trails that showcase the natural beauty of Marin County, with views of the San Francisco Bay area, Pacific Ocean and the lush coastal landscape. Tamalpa Headlands 50k is an UltraRunning Magazine Old School Ultra, recognized for its long history of supporting runners, giving back to the community, and helping to maintain and grow the culture of the sport.

Leadville Trail 100

Next, we travel to the historic mining town of Leadville, Colorado, for the iconic Leadville Trail 100 Run. Established in 1983, the Leadville 100, aka the “race across the sky,” was first created to boost tourism after the closure of a local mine. Over four decades later, the race has become one of the most famous ultramarathons in the country with runners coming from around the world to test themselves on the rugged mountain terrain that surrounds the small Colorado town. Race participants will be tested by unrelenting terrain, over 18,000 feet of elevation gain and an altitude that never dips below 9,200 feet above sea level and tops out at 12,600 feet on the summit of Hope Pass. Runners have 30 hours to complete the out-and-back course to earn their coveted Leadville finisher buckle and to stamp their names in the history books of this storied event.

Squamish 50

Our next stop takes us to Squamish, British Columbia for one of the largest and most popular ultra races in North America, the Squamish 50. The 2024 Canadian Trail Running Championship for the 50k and 50-mile distances, the Squamish 50 is the ultimate test of endurance running with technical and rugged trails, steep climbs and descents, and fierce competition from Canada’s best trail runners. Participants in the 50-mile event have 17 hours to navigate 11,000 feet of elevation gain, while 50k runners get 11.5 hours to tackle 8,500 feet of ascent and 9,000 feet of descent. Along the way, runners will experience the stunning natural beauty of the Sea-to-Sky region. Race proceeds benefit the local Squamish trails and search and rescue organizations.

Wild Card: Miner’s Lady

In this week’s wild card race, where we feature an ultramarathon you may not be familiar with, we travel to Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia for the Miner’s Lady 8-Hour Race. “Miner’s Lady,” a reference to West Virginia’s coal mining history and made famous in the lyrics of John Denver’s song, “Country Roads,” takes runners to the banks of the Shenandoah River and through the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. The timed event features a 10k loop course that runners attempt to run as many times as possible over 8 hours. Each loop consists of 850 feet of elevation gain over rolling terrain and mostly runnable single-track trails. Race proceeds benefit Rolling Ridge Conservancy, who aim to protect, preserve and nurture the local wilderness.

Other great events this weekend include Bulldog 50k Ultra Run (Calabasas, CA), Backcountry Rise (Toutle, WA), Anchorage Run Fest (Anchorage, AK), Fabulous Fahnestock Trail Races (Cold Springs, NY), Cloudcroft Ultra 53k (Cloudcroft, NM), Lean Horse (Custer, SD), Iron Legs Mountain Races (Station Flats, AB), Marquette Trail 50 (Marquette, MI), and Mid Mountain 50k (Park City, UT). Check out the full list of upcoming ultramarathons here.

Good luck to everyone racing this weekend, and don’t forget to thank your volunteers!