In the depths of midnight, precisely at the stroke of twelve, a lone figure found themselves midway between the second and third aid stations of the renowned Ultra-Trail Mt. Fuji (UTMF). This storied ultramarathon, the pinnacle of Asian trail running, had already witnessed 50 arduous kilometers conquered, leaving a formidable 115 kilometers yet to be surmounted. Amidst a sea of over 2,500 participants, our protagonist merged with a line of resolute runners, their collective determination piercing through the darkness.
the Western States Endurance Run (WSER) has unveiled the eagerly awaited schedule and criteria for the 2024 Golden Ticket races. Celebrating its legacy as the oldest and most prestigious 100-mile race in the United States, WSER continues to evolve, attracting global attention and captivating the hearts of trail running enthusiasts. Let's dive into the thrilling details of the upcoming races that will determine who secures a golden opportunity to compete in this legendary event.
George Murray from New Zealand and Emily Gilmour-Walsh from Australia showcased their exceptional athletic prowess by clinching resounding victories at the highly anticipated UTA100 races, part of renowned Ultra-Trail Australia by UTMB event. These outstanding performances solidified Murray and Gilmour-Walsh's positions as formidable contenders, earning them prestigious recognition in the form of the UTMB Running Stone awards.
The third Black Canyon Ultras of the year are being held this weekend, sponsored by HOKA and managed by Aravaipa Running. It's going to be an exciting event with the promise of Western States Golden Tickets at the finish line and a stellar field of runners.
Ultra-Trail Australia. Australia's Ultra-Trail Australia is a festival of trail running, with a 100km main event and a shorter 50km race that serves as an introduction to ultra running. The 22km Pace UTA22 race is perfect for those looking for a taste of trail running, and there's even a 1km children’s race.
Hobart local Andrew Gaskell and Broome runner Sarah Ludowici have won an automatic entry onto the Australian team that competes at this year’s World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Austria, after taking out the grueling 67km Ultra (Solo) event at this weekend’s kunanyi Mountain Run.
On Thursday, the Barkley Marathons in Morgan County saw three runners cross the finish line. Keith Dunn, who has provided live coverage for the event for many years, confirmed that Aurélien Sanchez, John Kelly, and Karel Sabbe completed the 2023 "world's toughest trail race" in less than 60 hours.
Gary Cantrell, better known by his pseudonym Lazarus Lake, is a legend in the ultra-marathon world as the founder and race director of the Barkley Marathons. This race is infamous for its sheer brutality, and only a handful of people have ever completed the five-lap, 100-mile course within the time limit of 60 hours. Lake's eccentricity and unforgiving style have made him a cult figure in the running community, and his quotes are often seen as sources of inspiration, if not outright terror.
kunanyi Mountain Run returns for its second year with an exceptionally strong field of 800 plus runners, including some of Australia’s fastest trail runners. With automatic spots up for grabs for the Australian team at the 2023 World Trail and Mountain Championships and the 2024 Skyrunning World Champs, the Ultra 67km and Vertical Kilometre have quickly made the event a huge drawcard.
Trail running enthusiasts around the world had their eyes glued to social media feeds on Tuesday morning as the Barkley Marathons got underway at Frozen Head State Park in Tennessee. The annual event, organized by Gary "Lazarus Lake" Cantrell, is known as the quirkiest race in the world of trail running, with about 40 runners embarking on a grueling challenge that involves completing five 20- to 25-mile loops with about 12,000 feet of climbing. However, the race is much more than that. Runners must also navigate steep hills, brambles, and slippery terrain while battling often cold and wet conditions.
