For American path runners and ultrarunners, particularly those that are keen on the 100-mile distance, the month of September is a month like no different.
That includes 8 remarkable, oldschool 100 milers, lots of which give qualification to go into the draw for the Western States 100, Hardrock 100, UTMB, or all 3, that is THE month. In any case the hoopla of Western States, Hardrock, and UTMB have died down, those 8 low-key 100 milers take heart level and so they all be offering one thing particular to everybody concerned.
Wasatch Entrance 100 Mile — Utah
Held annually at the first Friday after Exertions Day, the Wasatch Entrance 100 Mile is a beast of a race. Billed as “100 miles of heaven and hell,” Wasatch actually delivers with lots of vertical acquire, technical trails, and the at all times difficult hot-during-the-day-cold-at-night conundrum for runners.
John Grobben, the one race director the race has ever had, makes no concessions for elite runners as his well-known punch line on the pre-race assembly signifies: “We all know that there are numerous well-known runners operating this race and we’re no longer gonna’ introduce any of them. Just right good fortune day after today!”
The beginning of the 2023 Wasatch Entrance 100 Mile. Picture: www.macklambertmedia.com
Pine to Palm 100 Mile — Oregon
The brainchild of Rogue Valley Runners founder and proprietor, and mythical ultrarunner, Hal Koerner, this point-to-point 100 miler — additionally held at the first weekend after Exertions Day annually — showcases the super range and problem of the paths of Southern Oregon.
A real grassroots group match, the Pine to Palm 100 Mile is a kind of natural 100 milers that merits to be on any ultrarunner’s bucket record.
The beginning of the 2012 Pine to Palm 100. Picture: Michael Lebowitz
Mogollon Monster 100 Mile — Arizona
Based by means of Aravaipa Working’s proprietor, Jamil Coury, and these days directed by means of Noah Dougherty, the Mogollon Monster 100 Mile additionally takes position at the first weekend after Exertions Day. Held within the “Rim Nation” of Arizona, the “Mog,” because it’s referred to as in the neighborhood, is hard in 3 ways. One, it’s scorching; two, it’s technical; and 3, it’s lengthy — ultimately rely, no less than 106 miles and a few would say just a little longer.
In brief, it’s as elusive because the monster that provides the race its title.
Veronica Rudolphi, 2016 Mogollon Monster 100 Mile Champion, along with her monster trophy. Picture: Mogoll0n Monster 100 Mile
Run Rabbit Run 100 Mile — Colorado
This iconic race, which for years used to be a vintage 50 miler at the fall calendar, used to be expanded to incorporate the 100-mile distance a few dozen years in the past, by means of long-time race director Fred Abramowitz.
Recognized for its huge prize handbag, other get started occasions for “hares” and “tortoises,” and a merely shocking path within the mountains round Steamboat Springs, Colorado, the Run Rabbit Run 100 Mile is a kind of races that acts larger than it’s. A a laugh match, with a wide variety of items occurring across the race on this staying power mecca, it kind of feels to wrap in combination the previous with the brand new relatively smartly.
Tara Dower on her strategy to successful the 2023 Run Rabbit Run 100 Mile. Picture: Paul Nelson
IMTUF 100 Mile — Idaho
Jeremy Humphrey is a badass ultrarunner. Embracing oldschool values and his interest for the game, a number of years again he created the IMTUF 100 Mile in his cherished Idaho mountains.
Whilst the professional title of the race is the Idaho Mountain Path Extremely Pageant, everybody just about calls it IMTUF. And, excellent lordy, is it difficult! Combining technical singletrack, vintage Idaho scree scrambles, and the standard provide of PUDS (unnecessary ups and downs), Jeremy has created a path, and an match, that may no doubt stand the check of time.
Drew Petersen throughout the 2021 ITMUF 100 Mile. Picture: Grant Petersen
Grindstone 100 Mile by means of UTMB — Virginia
Many heads had been grew to become, mine incorporated, when information broke a couple of months in the past that the Grindstone 100 Mile used to be turning into a UTMB Global Sequence match.
Alternatively, I had religion that race director, race founder, and excellent pal Clark Zealand would be capable to stroll the road and deal with the old fashioned vibe that has characterised this race for just about twenty years, whilst additionally embracing the expansion and innovation that Ironman is bringing to the game. From stories at the flooring, final weekend, this primary yr did simply that. This match within the rugged mountains of Central Appalachia is one that may stay you fair, and make you’re employed.
Mike McMonagle, the 2023 Grindstone by means of UTMB 100 Mile winner. Picture: Grindstone by means of UTMB
Yeti 100 Mile — Virginia
Jason Inexperienced, the Grand Poobah of the Yeti Path Runners, has created an obtainable, a laugh, and lovely 100 miler in his place of origin of Southwest Virginia. Performed utterly at the Virginia Creeper Path, this match, held at the final weekend of September, is as a lot a birthday celebration as this can be a race.
Characterised by means of over-the-top support stations, super group strengthen, and a race director who’s there to hug each and every finisher from first to final, the Yeti 100 Mile is a real embodiment of the spirit of ultrarunning.
An indication at the direction of the 2018 Yeti 100 Mile. Picture: Yeti 100 Mile
Undergo 100 Mile — Utah and Idaho
The Undergo 100 Mile, based over twenty years in the past by means of veteran ultrarunner, Leland Barker, and these days presided over by means of the passionate Cody Draper, is to me some of the vintage boutique ultras at the circuit.
Held within the top time of leaf season in northern Utah and southern Idaho, and boasting 22,000 toes of vert, the Undergo isn’t for the faint of middle. And but the organizers and the longtime runners proceed to make it really feel obtainable, homespun, and simply a kind of races you’re feeling such as you should do earlier than you select to hold it up.
Autumnal colours at the direction of the Undergo 100 Mile in 2014. Picture: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
And there you have got it! 8 vintage 100 milers unfold around the U.S. thru September. What a good time to be an ultrarunner!
Bottoms up!
AJW’s Beer of the Week
This week’s beer of the week comes from Caldera Brewery Corporate in Ashland, Oregon. Caldera’s Pilot Rock Porter is a candy and nutty take in this vintage selection. Clean and simple consuming, Pilot Rock is a kind of Porters that makes you glance two times and ponder whether that is truly as darkish because it appears!
Name for Feedback
- Have you ever attended any of those races? Which of them, and let us know about them!
- What are your different fall favorites?