Lately as the recognition of 100-mile and longer ultramarathons has continued to develop, I’ve noticed an fascinating shift — a decline within the reputation of the 50-mile race. Definitely, there are nonetheless some nice 50 milers on the market. Two of the biggest ultras within the U.S. are 50 milers — the American River 50 Mile and JFK 50 Mile — and there are a number of basic 50 milers nonetheless round, such because the Dick Collins Firetrails 50 Mile, Man Towards Horse 50 Mile, Mountain Masochist 50 Mile, and the Lookout Mountain 50 Mile. Nonetheless, the booming reputation of 100 milers in addition to the qualification necessities for a few of the hottest mega-races on the earth has had a unfavorable impression on a few of the smaller, down residence 50 milers.

Cecilia Flori, 2019 JFK 50 Mile champion. Photograph: Herald-Mail Media

This phenomenon acquired me fascinated with a few of the basic 50-mile races which have passed by the wayside. Races that, on the time, had been highlights on many runners’ calendars however have since ceased to exist. Of the various races that match this description, there are three that I discover significantly noteworthy.

For a handful of years within the early to mid-Nineteen Eighties, the place to be on the primary Saturday in June was about 25 miles northeast of Nevada Metropolis, California, on the Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park for the working of the Nugget 50 Mile. Usually used as a ultimate tune-up for folk working the Western States 100 later within the month, the Nugget 50 Mile usually drew an enthusiastic discipline of runners to traverse the rolling and usually sizzling trails of this basic California Gold Nation space. Northern California extremely luminaries resembling Rae Clark, Ann Trason, and Charles Savage, amongst others, had been regulars on the Nugget and added to its lore as a key cease on the ultrarunning circuit on the time. Allowing points with the state park and a few conflicts with native landowners led to its demise.

The Crown King Scramble 50k has been a staple of the Arizona ultrarunning calendar for over 30 years. For eight years between 1997 and 2004, the Arizona Highway Racers, long-time organizers of Crown King, added a 50-mile run to the mid-March festivities. With a 3 a.m. begin, the 50-mile course wound via the excessive desert tucked beneath the Bradshaw Mountains, passing the historic Fort Sizzling Springs resort (which has since been renovated and returned to its former glory) earlier than merging with the 50k course and ascending to the small, mining hamlet of Crown King. I ran the Crown King 50 Mile as my first 50 miler in 1999. The race was received by legendary ultrarunner Eric Clifton and among the many different prime finishers had been Paul Bonnet and the late, nice Hopi runner Dennis Poolheco in addition to Arizona stalwarts Tina Devine and Diane Ridgway. The problem of securing volunteers and getting access to such a distant space in the end led to the tip of the 50 miler. That stated, I’ve it on good authority that some within the Arizona extremely neighborhood are involved in resurrecting the race. Keep tuned.

The paths of the Marin Headlands in Northern California have lengthy been a hotbed for ultra-trail runners and in 2007 The North Face established The North Face Endurance Problem 50 Mile Championships on the gorgeous trails on the sting of the Pacific Ocean. Providing a $10,000 prize for the winner, that first yr’s race attracted prime expertise like Uli Steidl, Matt Carpenter, Leigh Schmitt, Lizzy Hawker, and Jenn Shelton. For the subsequent 10 years, The North Face 50 Mile, because it was known as by most, was arguably probably the most aggressive ultramarathon on the earth. The all-time finishers listing reads like a who’s who of ultrarunning stars. Along with Steidl, Carpenter, Schmitt, Hawker, and Shelton, over time François D’Haene, Ellie Greenwood, Dylan Bowman, Stephanie Howe, Zach Miller, Magda Boulet, and numerous others made the journey to San Francisco to check their mettle towards the world’s finest.

The beginning of the 2019 The North Face Endurance Problem 50 Mile Championships. Photograph: iRunFar/Bryon Powell

An fascinating sidenote about The North Face 50 Mile is that this was the primary race that iRunFar offered dwell protection for manner again in 2009. The race was canceled as a consequence of hearth in 2018 and the final working was in 2019, after which The North Face determined to pursue different issues.

For these of us who’ve been across the sport for some time, we’ve seen races come and go. It’s simply a part of the game. Nonetheless, these three races, specifically, are undoubtedly missed and stand as reminders of the particular bond we path runners have with the locations the place we roam — particular locations that join us deeply to the atmosphere and to at least one one other.

Bottoms up!

AJW’s Beer of the Week

This week’s Beer of the Week comes from 1849 Brewing Firm in Grass Valley, California. Their 1849 Home Ale is a basic amber ale with a contact of maltiness and a deep chocolate taste. With 5.3% ABV and 35 IBUs, 1849 Home Ale is a balanced and engaging ale good for nearly any event.

Name for Feedback

• What are your favourite 50 milers — previous and current?
• Is there one other distance that you simply suppose doesn’t get sufficient love on the ultrarunning calendar?

Hayden taking third on the 2017 The North Face Endurance Problem 50 Mile Championships, carrying his son, Crosby. Photograph: iRunFar/Bryon Powell