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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 eight excellent, old skool 100 milers, lots of which give qualification to enter the draw for the Western States 100, Hardrock 100, UTMB, or all three, that is THE month. After all of the hoopla of Western States, Hardrock, and UTMB have died down, these eight low-key 100 milers take middle stage they usually all provide one thing particular to everybody concerned.
Wasatch Entrance 100 Mile — Utah
Held yearly on the primary Friday after Labor Day, the Wasatch Entrance 100 Mile is a beast of a race. Billed as “100 miles of heaven and hell,” Wasatch actually delivers with tons of vertical achieve, 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 a whole lot of well-known runners operating this race and we’re not gonna’ introduce any of them. Good luck tomorrow!”
Pine to Palm 100 Mile — Oregon
The brainchild of Rogue Valley Runners founder and proprietor, and legendary ultrarunner, Hal Koerner, this point-to-point 100 miler — additionally held on the primary weekend after Labor Day yearly — showcases the large variety and problem of the paths of Southern Oregon.
A real grassroots neighborhood occasion, the Pine to Palm 100 Mile is a type of pure 100 milers that deserves to be on any ultrarunner’s bucket listing.
Mogollon Monster 100 Mile — Arizona
Operated by Aravaipa Working and at present directed by Noah Dougherty, the Mogollon Monster 100 Mile additionally takes place on the primary weekend after Labor Day. Held within the “Rim Nation” of Arizona, the “Mog,” because it’s referred to as regionally, is hard in 3 ways. One, it’s scorching; two, it’s technical; and three, it’s lengthy — eventually depend, no less than 106 miles and a few would say a bit longer.
Briefly, it’s as elusive because the monster that offers the race its identify.

Veronica Rudolphi, 2016 Mogollon Monster 100 Mile Champion, along with her monster trophy. Picture: Mogollon Monster 100 Mile
Run Rabbit Run 100 Mile — Colorado
This iconic race, which for years was a basic 50 miler on the autumn calendar, was expanded to incorporate the 100-mile distance a couple of dozen years in the past, by long-time race director Fred Abramowitz.
Identified for its massive prize purse, completely different begin occasions for “hares” and “tortoises,” and a merely beautiful course within the mountains round Steamboat Springs, Colorado, the Run Rabbit Run 100 Mile is a type of races that acts larger than it’s. A enjoyable occasion, with every kind of issues happening across the race on this endurance mecca, it appears to wrap collectively the previous with the brand new reasonably properly.
IMTUF 100 Mile — Idaho
Jeremy Humphrey is a badass ultrarunner. Embracing old skool values and his ardour for the game, a number of years again he created the IMTUF 100 Mile in his beloved Idaho mountains.
Whereas the official identify of the race is the Idaho Mountain Path Extremely Competition, everybody just about calls it IMTUF. And, good lordy, is it powerful! Combining technical singletrack, basic Idaho scree scrambles, and the standard provide of PUDS (pointless ups and downs), Jeremy has created a course, and an occasion, that can absolutely stand the take a look at of time.
Grindstone 100 Mile by UTMB — Virginia
Many heads have been turned, mine included, when information broke just a few months in the past that the Grindstone 100 Mile was changing into a UTMB World Collection occasion.
Nevertheless, I had religion that race director, race founder, and good buddy Clark Zealand would be capable of stroll the road and preserve the old-fashioned vibe that has characterised this race for nearly twenty years, whereas additionally embracing the expansion and innovation that Ironman is bringing to the game. From experiences on the bottom, final weekend, this primary 12 months did simply that. This occasion within the rugged mountains of Central Appalachia is one that can hold you sincere, and make you’re employed.
Yeti 100 Mile — Virginia
Jason Inexperienced, the Grand Poobah of the Yeti Path Runners, has created an accessible, enjoyable, and exquisite 100 miler in his fatherland of Southwest Virginia. Carried out fully on the Virginia Creeper Path, this occasion, held on the final weekend of September, is as a lot a celebration as it’s a race.
Characterised by over-the-top assist stations, large neighborhood assist, and a race director who’s there to hug each finisher from first to final, the Yeti 100 Mile is a real embodiment of the spirit of ultrarunning.
Bear 100 Mile — Utah and Idaho
The Bear 100 Mile, based over 20 years in the past by veteran ultrarunner, Leland Barker, and at present presided over by the passionate Cody Draper, is to me one of many basic boutique ultras on the circuit.
Held within the prime time of leaf season in northern Utah and southern Idaho, and boasting 22,000 toes of vert, the Bear will not be for the faint of coronary heart. And but the organizers and the longtime runners proceed to make it really feel accessible, homespun, and simply a type of races you’re feeling like you will need to do earlier than you select to hold it up.
And there you will have it! Eight basic 100 milers unfold throughout the U.S. by way of 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 Firm in Ashland, Oregon. Caldera’s Pilot Rock Porter is a candy and nutty tackle this basic selection. Easy and straightforward consuming, Pilot Rock is a type of Porters that makes you look twice and marvel if that is actually as darkish because it seems!
Name for Feedback
- Have you ever attended any of those races? Which of them, and inform us about them!
- What are your different fall favorites?
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