Looking for a challenging running race? Take your pick from some of the mountain races shared below. These should be on the wish list of any serious endurance runner. They’re definitely on my list.
So far, Mountain racing is the ideal way to test your mettle in the world of endurance and long-distance racing.
Taking place on of the world’s toughest and most challenging terrains, these races are the pinnacle of fitness tests and the best way to push your physical and mental resolve to the breaking point.
Without further ado, here is a list of five of the toughest mountain races in the U.S.
By the way, please feel free to add your dream races in comments section below. I’d love to hear from you.
Breck Crest
Organized by the team at Maverick Sports, the Breck Crest is a running event that features a variety of races of different lengths: a 10K, a 13.3-mile half marathon, and a 23-mile beast mountain marathon course (called a marathon thanks to the challenging terrain).
Breck Crest takes place in the heart of the pristine Ten Mile Range in the Rocky Mountains above Breckenridge, Colorado. The racecourse traverses over the magnificent high alpine terrain, and it’s full of breathtaking mountain views, alpine lakes, and wildflowers.
Fees: The 10K costs $40; the Half, $65; and the Marathon, $80.
The Official Website – http://www.mavsports.com/breck-crest/
Mid Mountain Marathon
Presented by ZB Sports, Mountain Trails Foundation, and Snyderville Basin Recreation, the Mid Mountain is a 26,2-mile trail running event that kicks off at Deer Valley Resort, traverses Park City Mountain Resort and the colony before descending and finishing in the Canyons base area.
The single-track racecourse begins at about 8,000 ft of elevation, peaks at about 8,400 ft, taking runners through pristine forests and the stunning views of Park City and The Canyons.
The downside is that organizers limit the number of participants to 400, so make sure to register as early as you can to snatch a spot.
Fees: 70$ to 90$.
Official Website – http://mountaintrails.org/event-race-mtf/mid-mountain-marathon/
Barr Trail Mountain Race (BTMR)
Organized by Team Colorado, a nonprofit organization of elite trail runners, BTMR is a 12.6-mile competitive mountain trail running event held in July at the Manitou Springs Cog Railway Train Depot, Colorado.
Runners start the race in Manitou Springs at about 6,570 ft and climb up Pikes Peaks iconic Barr Trail to Barr Camp (10,200 ft) before racing back and finishing off with a fast trip back to the starting line.
Fees: $55 to $80
Official Website – https://barrtrailmountainrace.com/
Loon Mountain Race, Lincoln, N.H.
Presented by Acidotic Racing in Lincoln, New Hampshire, this race is one of the most competitive hill climb races in the U.S.
Loon Peak race will force competitors to run roughly 5,5 miles with 2,200 ft of vertical gain. The racecourse averages about 15 percent grade with some sections of more than 40 percent.
The last mile of the race is a straight up the infamous Upper Walking Boss, roughly one kilometer on a rock and grass-covered slope with angles exceeding 40 percent grade, providing one of the hardest and most challenging finishes in the fast-growing sport of mountain running.
Fees: $50
Official Website – loonmountainrace.com
Conclusion
There you have it. Those are my favorite mountain races. Hopefully, you can tick it one by one. Just remember to get in shape.
Featured image credit – https://mountaintrails.org/event-race-mtf/mid-mountain-marathon/
