Upcoming Ultras - West USA

14th Annual Rocky Racoon 50/100 Mile, Hunstville, TX, 6:00am, Sat, Feb 4, 2006. Single-track, jeep roads, and minimal elevation gain. Pine needle-covered trail complete with roots, forgiving surface; many small, wood bridges, and fast. Time limit: 30 hrs. Fee-pre $100; fee-post $130 after January 15. Very nice half-zip sweatshirt, buckles for finishers' awards (100-mile) and medals (50-mile). Pre ($10) and post ($5) race meals. Joe Prusaitis, 1101 Plymouth, Austin, TX 78758. (512) 895-6100 (w). Email: jprusaitis@austin.rr.com;
Web: http://www.tejastrails.com

Pemberton Trail 50K, Fountain Hills, AZ, 7:00am, Sat, Feb 4, 2006. Two-loop course on trails in the beautiful Sonoram desert; total climb of 800 feet per loop. Limited to 150. $50 by January 1; $60 thereafter. New this year: 50-km, two-person relay: $75 by January 1; $85 thereafter. Brian Wieck, 1815 Knight St., St. Helena, MT 59601. (406) 443-8042 (h)
(828) 713-1236 (w) Email: bquick50k@hotmail.com Web: http://www.trailrun.net

12th Annual East Texas Ultra Runners 50K , Tyler State Park, TX, 7:00am, Sat, Feb 11, 2006. Three loops of approximately 10.5 miles with fully-stocked aid stations on the rolling hills and picturesque trails of Tyler State Park. Also a 25-km for novice trail runners. Time limit: 8 hrs. Field limit: 300. Fee-pre $45; fee-post $55 after January 28. Beautiful, multi-color t-shirts to all entrants; distinctive awards to all finishers; post-race hamburger lunch. Paul Stone, 211 Hickory St., Bullard, TX 75757. (903) 894-3788 (h). Email: badwater75757@yahoo.com; Web: http://www.hillcountrytrailrunners.com

5th Annual Far West Texas Jackrabbit Rally 43K, El Paso, TX, 8:00am, Sat, Feb 18, 2006. Trail races (also 30-km, 12-km and off-road duathlon) in the USA's largest urban park, 25,000 acres in the southern Rocky Mountains. Single-track trails through craggy foothills and canyons overlooking mountain ranges in Mexico and New Mexico. 4, 305 to 5, 190 feet elevation. Aid stations, t-shirts, many prizes, and post-run party. $40 for longer races. Mark Dorion, (915) 581-9541 (h). Email: markd@utep.edu;
Web: http://www.utminers.utep.edu/markd/

5th Annual Houston Ultra Event Weekend, Houston, TX, 3:00pm, Fri, Feb 24, 2006. Flat, two-mile asphalt loop in a park. Fee-pre: $40 to 80; fee-post $50-90 after February 15. T-shirts and achievement awards. Wes Monteith, 4242 Tiny Hur Dr., Pasadena, TX 77503. (281) 930-0720 (h). Web: http://www.ultrarunners.info

25th Annual Cross Timbers Trail Race 50 Mile, Sherman, TX, 6:30am, Sat, Feb 25, 2006. Tough trail race along cliffs of Lake Texoma on narrow, hilly foot paths. Time limit: 12 hrs. Fee-pre $60; add $10 after February 1. Race t-shirts for all entrants, unique awards, and pasta dinner night before. Teresa McCoul, 94 High Country RD, Sherman, TX 75092. (903) 271-3587 (m). Email: tere77@ev1.net; Web: http://www.geocities.com/cross_timbers_04/

Waco Five-O 50K Ultra Trail Run, Waco, TX, 7:00am, Sat, Mar 4, 2006. Three-loop course through Cameron Park along the scenic banks of the Brazos River. Hilly, rocky, and challenging, fun course. Mostly single-track. Also a 10-miler. Time limit: 8hrs. Fee-pre$45; fee-post $55 after February 21. CoolMax t-shirts and hats to all entrants. Top three awards for open and masters male and female. Post-race hamburgers and hot dogs. Tim Neckar, 4403 Wigton, Houston, Tecas 77096. (713) 724-2611 (c). Email: tneckar@houston.rr.com;
Web: http://www.runnerone.com

First Annual Lone Star Trail Run 25/50K, Coldspring, TX, 8:00am, Sat, Mar 4, 2006. Out-and-back trail through Double Lake Recreation Area (One hour north of Houston). Fee-pre $45. T-shirt and finishers' medal, age group awards (10-year age groups) for each distance; awards to top male and female and male and female masters for each distance. All kids will receive medals and t-shirts. Charles, 19503 Oak Station, Humble, Tecas 77346. (713) 240-3814 (c). Emal: charles@runbikepaddle.com;
Web: http://www.runbikepaddle.com/lonestartrail

Old Pueblo 50 Mile Endurance Run, Sonoita, AZ, 6:00am, Sat, Mar 4, 2006. Loop course on forest service roads and trails through thte southeastern part of the Santa Rita Mountains. Average grade is six percent with 7,000 feet of climb and descent. Time limit: 15 hrs. Field limit: 125. Fee-pre $70; fee-post $90 after January 27. Duane Arter, PO Box 31794, Tucson, AZ 85751. (520) 529-2985 (h). Email: oldpueblo50@simplybits.net;
Web: http://www.ultrazone.us/OP50/

12th Annual A-OK 50K, Atoka, OK, 8:00am, Sun, Mar 5, 2006. T-shaped out-and-back course on well defined, private roads through pine and hardwood forest. Time limit: 7 hrs. Slower runners may start at 7:00am. $25 entry fee by February 18 ($20 for 60 and over and NTTR members); no refunds. Limited to 50. Mary Ann Miller, 3217 Greenbriar, Plano, TX 75074. (972) 509-2552 (fax). E-mail: mam3217@3v1.net; Web: http://www.nttr.org

20th Annual Crown King Scramble 50K, Morristown, AZ, 7:00am, Sat, Mar 18, 2006. Starts in Lake Pleasant Regional Park, tours Prescott National Forest and finishes in the historic mining town of Crown King. Mostly on dirt roads. Time limit: 8 hrs. Field limit: 300. Fee-pre $55; fee-post $75 after December 31. Technical running garment, overall and age-group awards, and post-race BBQ. Gary Culver, 15615 W. Whitton Ave., Goodyear, AZ 85338. (623) 856-5000 (h). Email: dirtrnr@yahoo.com; Web: http://www.crownkingscramble.com

1st Annual Antelope Island Buffalo Run 25/50K, Syracuse, UT, 8:00am, Sat, Mar 18, 2006. 15.5-mile figure-eight loop run once or twice. Half-mile gravel road per loop. At 4,200 to 5,200 feet altitude, but mostly flat. Time limit: 8 hrs. fee-pre $40/50; fee-post $50/60 after March 4. T-shirts to entrants, race shirts to 50-km finishers, and hats to 25-km finishers. Camping available on site. Jim Skaggs, 4988 W. 4250 S, West Haven, UT 84401. (801) 732-9242. Email: ultrajim@charter.net; Web: http://www.buffalorun.org

Grasslands Runs, Decatur, TX, 7:00am, Sat, Mar 25, 2006. Cloverleaf 50 miles of rolling, sandy, single-track horse trails and jeep roads through scenic Oak groves, wildflower prairie and stream crossing. Fee-pre $50. Entry closes March 13. Also a marathon and half-marathon. RaceReady trail shirts to all entrants. Completion awards presented at the finish line. Winners receive a pair of Montrail shoes. Post-race BBQ. Dave Billman, 1110 Misty Oak Lane, Keller, TX 76248. Email: trailrun2005@yahoo.com; Web: http://www.nttr.org/

14th Annual Hog's Hunt 50K, Hunstville State Park, TX, 7:00am, Sat, Apr 1, 2006. Two loops of 15.5 miles each over the gently rolling trails and jeep roads inside Huntsville State Park, approximately 55 miles north of Houston. Time limit: 8 hrs. Field limit: 500. Fee-pre $45; fee-post $55 after march 18. All entrants receive a beautiful, multi-color t-shirt and all finishers a distinctive award. Also a 25-km for novice trail runners. Paul Stone, 211 Hickory St., Bullard, TX 75757. (903) 894-3788 (h). Email:badwater75757@yahoo.com;
Web: http://www.hillcountrytrailrunners.com

1st Annual Bluff Creek Ranch's "Doogies Run", Warda, TX, 7:00am, Sat, Apr 1, 2006. Fast, rolling hills; well-shaded pine and hardwood forest; hard, packed ground to loose, sandy sections with some bare roots and rocks in between; 100 feet elevation gain and loss. Fee-pre $40; fee-post $50 after March 25. Redwood plaque, t-shirts, and camping. Damon Nolan, Box 110, Warda, TX 78960. (979) 242-5894 (h). Email: bcrwards@cvtv.net;
Web: http://www.bcrwards.com

Desert R.A.T.S. Camp, Fruita, CO, Fri, Apr 21, 2006. Three days of supported running on the same trails as the Desert R.A.T.S. (Race Across the Sand) race that takes place Mon, Jun 11. Coaches and helpful hints on running multi-day desert races. Camp shirts and pasta dinner included. Reid Delman, 3506 Feather Reed Ave., Longmont, CO 80503. (303) 249-1112 (c). Email: reid_delman@geminiadventures.com; Web: http://www.geminiadventures.com

4th Annual Spring Desert Ultra Trail Running Festival 50 Mile, Fruita, CO, Fri, Apr 21, 2006. Scenic, rugged loop courses on trails overlooking the Colorago River. Time limit: 13 hrs. Field limit: 200 per day. Racer mementos, awards for top three in each age group and finishers' awards. Pasta dinner. Also 5, 10, and 25-mile races, guest speaker and raffle. Reid Delman, 3506 Feather Reed Ave., Longmont, CO 80503. (303) 249-1112 (c). Email: reid_delman@geminiadventures.com; Web: http://www.geminiadventures.com

15th Annual Zane Grey Highline 50 Mile Endurance Run, Payson, AZ, 5:00am, Sat, Apr 29, 2006. Course traverses the entire 50 miles of the historic Highline Trail from west to east in the Tonto National Forest, below the Mogollon Rim. Elevations range from 5,500 to 7,000 feet. Time limit: 16 hrs. Field limit: 150. Fee-pre $75; fee-post $85 after April 1. Quality running shirts, caps and buckles to all finishers. Pre-race dinner $11. Post-race meal included in entry. Bob Redwanc, 2941 N. Swan Rd., Suite 115, Tucson, AZ 85712. (520) 318-1288 (w) (520) 232-8900 (h). Email: jazzzaz@comcast.net; Web: http://www.zanegrey50.com

Source: UltraRunning Magazine, "ur calendar," January/February issue.

--Constance Karras