List of hard to get into, challenging and (possibly) obscure endurance events
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2781 days
Tribro posted 11 weeks ago.
Last week I did my first Xterra, and loved it. Thinking about selling my TT bike and getting a good mountain bike. Then doing a 100 mile mtb event Cascade Cream Puff along with some Xterra's next year. And someday I'd love to do BC Bike Race or Cape Epic.
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670 days
gshuldes posted 11 weeks ago.
BOSTON 2 BIG SUR Run Boston on Monday ... then run Big Sur on Sunday. A buddy of mine is hoping to get registered for this tomorrow.
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199 days
GaryTimTim posted 11 weeks ago.
Iditasport in Alaska would fall into the really long and possibly obscure (http://www.allweathersports.com/isport/isport.html). Looks like the last time it was ran was 2001. The weather and trail conditions definitely add to the difficulty.
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1342 days
foggy posted 11 weeks ago.
I'm planning on doing the B2B too.
What about Western States or Badwater? The Death Valley 200 (bike) in Spring or Fall. I did the Fall and it's beautiful.
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839 days
TryScott posted 11 weeks ago.
American Triple-T I think it would be nice to spend a weekend doing triathlons. One sprint, 2 olympics, and one half ironman.
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1558 days
PJT posted 11 weeks ago.
Any of the 15 World Loppet Gold distance XC ski races: http://www.worldloppet.com/index.php
They're not all that hard to get into, although many sell out. They range in length from a reasonable 42k freestyle for the Kangaroo Hoppet in Australia to the semi-insane Vasaloppet: 90k, classic style only, with a 12-hour cutoff. In North America, there's the American Birkebeiner in Wisconsin and the Gatineau Loppet near Ottawa.
I've got a lifetime goal to finish most of these. 2 down so far.
871
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1767 days
Star posted 11 weeks ago.
Every year my cousin tries to talk me into riding the RAGBRAI (http://ragbrai.com/). The bicycle ride across the state of Iowa is 470+ miles of riding over 7 days. There of course are various skill levels of riders, and it's been described to me as a rolling circus (Look at the pix for more on that)! After the day's ride, everyone camps out and parties til the next ride (The website has a section on the legal drinking age, if that tells you anything!). Talk about a challenging week.
"I'm more fun than an iPod!"
My blog:http://starsnextbigthing.blogspot.com/
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Member
514 days
RunMDC posted 11 weeks ago.
Before triathlons I did ultra distance canoe races. There are 3 big ones in the US.
The Texas Water Safari - 262 miles by river, non stop, from San Marcos to the Gulf of Mexico. touted as "the toughest canoe race in the world".
http://www.texaswatersafari.org/
The Missouri 340 - Kansas City to St. Charles along the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers http://rivermiles.com/mr340/
The Youkon River Quest - 460 miles http://www.yukonriverquest.com/
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427 days
Bird posted 11 weeks ago.
How about the Single-Speed World Championships in Napa? The Bike Snob chronicled his experience at this event in August's issue of Outside Magazine.Not sure it is hard to get into,but it sounds like a strange combination of Mardi Gras+Frat party+bike race!
2255
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702 days
361
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500 days
jwillia852 posted 11 weeks ago.
Not a race, but an organized ride I will do all I can to do next year... B2B in Boston. http://www.harpoonbrewery.com/index.cfm?pid=28553
Jeff
2766
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1445 days
tri-ac posted 11 weeks ago.
there used to be a circle-around-Manhattan swim...not sure if they still do it
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519 days
Kevin L posted 11 weeks ago.
http://www.menshealthurbanathlon.com/course.cfm This looks like fun though the course is "only" 12 miles
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177 days
Tri_Kev posted 11 weeks ago.
I did the Urbanathlon in NY last year and it was great, nothing like running up a 52 story building (104 flights) after running 8 miles in the rain. I'm going to have to save this thread for reference in a few years after my tri goals are met. There are some really cool events out there.
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306 days
amphibops posted 11 weeks ago.
The Pocatello 50 is a new race in Pocatello, Idaho. 50 miles through the local mountains, and it is really tough. Something like 5,000ft vertical. I did the last leg of the inaugural race in May, and the 19 miles was much more difficult than the San Diego Rock n Roll marathon I did many years back, and I'm in much better condition and 20 pounds lighter these days (after starting tris last year!).
Check out http://pocatello50.com/ Not really obscure but definitely difficult. If you're truly a Sooner, you can stay at my place here in Pocatello for the race in 2010, and we'll swap Sooner stories (I'm a 93 OU grad).
LoToJa is well known here in southeast Idaho. A couple years ago it snowed heavily on the race and caused some major difficulties for people. I've never done it, though.
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678 days
TonisTri posted 11 weeks ago.
I am hoping to try Adventure Racing in NY next year. It combines kayaking, trail running and mountain biking with orienteering. You have a map to the transition areas and how you choose to get there is up to you. Plus, I hear it's a beautiful area.
http://www.genesisadventures.com/v4/main.php?left=advrace¢er=advrace
That which does not kill me makes me faster...
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177 days
Tri_Kev posted 11 weeks ago.
Mt. Washington Auto Road Bicycle Hillclimb - a 7.6-mile all-uphill race to the summit of the highest peak in the northeastern United States with an average grade of 12% with extended sections of 18% and the last 50 yards is 22%. Combine that with possible 40 mph winds and snow in August and it makes for a hell of a day. Current temp is 35 degrees with a wind speed of 35!
361
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500 days
jwillia852 posted 11 weeks ago.
Tri_Kev wrote:
Mt. Washington Auto Road Bicycle Hillclimb - a 7.6-mile all-uphill race to the summit of the highest peak in the northeastern United States with an average grade of 12% with extended sections of 18% and the last 50 yards is 22%. Combine that with possible 40 mph winds and snow in August and it makes for a hell of a day. Current temp is 35 degrees with a wind speed of 35!
Hell ya and ski tuckermans on the way down....hahaha. That place is insane.
Jeff
588
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442 days
jnrice posted 11 weeks ago.
Run up a mountain and back (14 miles) and then go do 5 rock climbs for time bonuses.
http://bozemandailychronicle.com/articles/2007/10/07/sports/50hyalite.tx...
don't know if there is an official site, just show up and ask around. registration usually opens mid sept and the race is usually late sept or early oct, hell or high water.
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363 days
Quincyceltic posted 11 weeks ago.
This got a great write up in the Boston Globe it is called the Vermont "death race". Apparently nobody but the director knows what the race consists of.
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186 days
KellyW posted 11 weeks ago.
The Barkley Marathons, "the toughest 100-miler in the world."
This race has 52,900 feet of climb, and 52,900 feet of descent. Since 1986 when the race began, only 8 runners of about 700 have finished the event. There are 5 20-mile loops with no aid except water at two points, and much of the course is pure bushwhacking through forest on hills that are 45 degrees or more, with numerous fallen trees and other obstacles to climb over, under, or around. There are streams to cross, a ditch that is 10 feet wide and 10 feet deep to get through (called "Son of a Bitch Ditch"), and other fun stuff. Like the "Rat Jaw," which climbs 1000 feet in 1/2 mile under some powerlines and past some abandoned coal mines. The ground is covered with mats of cut-down sawbriers. In some places there is a downed powerline that can be used as a climbing rope. Otherwise you have to climb with your hands, and the thorns draw blood.
To prove they completed the whole course, runners have to locate 9 to 11 points on the course and tear a page out of a book that is hidden at each checkpoint.
OK, who's gonna sign up?
:)
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krazyfranco posted 11 weeks ago.
+1 for RAGBRAI. Its not a race, its a weeklong party. A blast.
Hard days hard, easy days easy.
2255
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702 days
TriSooner posted 11 weeks ago.
TryScott wrote:
American Triple-T I think it would be nice to spend a weekend doing triathlons. One sprint, 2 olympics, and one half ironman.
I've got that on my calendar to use as prep for IM CDA. It looks like you just camp out and do tris all day for three days.
429
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380 days
wannakona posted 11 weeks ago.
TriSooner wrote:
TryScott wrote:American Triple-T I think it would be nice to spend a weekend doing triathlons. One sprint, 2 olympics, and one half ironman.I've got that on my calendar to use as prep for IM CDA. It looks like you just camp out and do tris all day for three days.
Yeah that's what we did. It was great! Might do it again soon.
Konstantin
Facebook
TriBug.com
5318
Member
1999 days
kylie posted 11 weeks ago.
wannakona wrote:
TriSooner wrote:TryScott wrote:American Triple-T I think it would be nice to spend a weekend doing triathlons. One sprint, 2 olympics, and one half ironman.I've got that on my calendar to use as prep for IM CDA. It looks like you just camp out and do tris all day for three days.
Yeah that's what we did. It was great! Might do it again soon.
Mike and I are Team Donut for next year! :)
Miles of Life --- Powered by MarkyV
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1250 days
kkocan posted 10 weeks ago.
Another vote for the TTT. Did it in 08 and wished I was there this year. Definitely doing it again next year.
________________________________________________
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1163 days
fastdog5 posted 10 weeks ago.
How about this:
http://www.burritounion10hourtri.com/
Team (relay) event; as many sprint triathlons as you can do as a team in 10 hours.
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456 days
orangedog posted 10 weeks ago.
Bloomsday Marathon in Spokane, WA
BC Bike Race (already mentioned, just seconding) around Vancouver
Brec Epic (new this year), Breckenridge, Colorado
Tahoe-Sierra 100 north of Lake Tahoe (name may have changed this year)
Great Divide Race (for those that are ultra-crazy)
Land Rover just discontinued their Adventure Racing series, but I wouldn't be surprised if it comes back (maybe with a different sponsor) if the economy starts to turn a bit (as that was their reason for discontinuing it)
www.theorangedog.net
skills>> spirits>> speed>>
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Member
1393 days
gfd posted 10 weeks ago.
Lehigh Valley Donut Derby. 38 mile bike race with two pit stops. For every donut you eat, you get 3 minutes deducted from your time. If they are glazed I have a shot next year.
http://www.lehighvalleywheelmen.com/files/Documents/DD%20Flyer%202009.pd...
"If we help someone else up a steep hill, we get nearer to the top ourselves." ~Unknown~
~Garen~
http://baldhungariantriproject.blogspot.com/
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1192 days
cayman posted 10 weeks ago.
Just signed up for the 2011 Marathon des Sables entry lottery.
Anyone interested(?) better hurry, lottery closes 9/25/09.
332
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1693 days
kevinb421 posted 8 weeks ago.
Star wrote:
Every year my cousin tries to talk me into riding the RAGBRAI (http://ragbrai.com/). The bicycle ride across the state of Iowa is 470+ miles of riding over 7 days. There of course are various skill levels of riders, and it's been described to me as a rolling circus (Look at the pix for more on that)! After the day's ride, everyone camps out and parties til the next ride (The website has a section on the legal drinking age, if that tells you anything!). Talk about a challenging week.
I have done RAGBRAI 4 years now. I normally do not drink, but I spend most of RAGBRAI drinking, eating pie and having the time of my life. It's not all that challenging, it's a rolling party. During 2007? I actually got to ride side by side with Lance Armstrong and chat with him. One of the best experiences of my life and once Lance is done with his tour itch I am sure he will be back doing this event again. (to ride with Lance you have to wait in a pace line for your turn) He was quoted as saying "They party and drink all night then ride 80 miles still drunk the next day eating pie while they ride; those Iowans are crazy."
http://www.mcnaughtonparktrailruns.com/index2.htm
Is a very tough trail ultra offering distances of 50,100 and 150 miles. Very relaxed and fun event.
"If it takes a level in insanity to run 26.2 miles, what does it take to go farther?"
5783
Member
2081 days
beads1985 posted 8 weeks ago.
cayman wrote:
Just signed up for the 2011 Marathon des Sables entry lottery.Anyone interested(?) better hurry, lottery closes 9/25/09.
I would love to do this too. It is on my 'bucket list'
Also the Antarctica marathon
'Nothing to it, but to do it!'
266
Member
334 days
IthinkIcan posted 8 weeks ago.
The dances w/ dirt ultramarathon series has my attention. sounds completely badass. In places like Hell, MI. Gnawbone, IN. Devil's Lake, WI. Green Swamp, FL. you know its some brutal terrain. They give out different schwag at each of four or so events across the country.
http://danceswithdirt.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=55&I...
"Finish all 4 and you will get a belt buckle that when worn (Along with your vest) will make all other runners scared shitless when in your presence!"
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1308 days
jkahan posted 7 weeks ago.
Jay Challenge / Jay Vermont -- kayaking/swimming / trail running / biking around Jay Peak in Northern Vermont -- very tough terrain. 3 Day event. Never done it but it's in my back yard so one of these days:)
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1445 days
tri-ac posted 7 weeks ago.
i learned to ski at Jay...ahh the memories of scarring the ice on the CanAm and Green Beret! :)
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500 days
I'm tired of triathlons. The races, that is. I love "swim/bike/run" but there are so many other endurance events out there which include swim or bike or run. In the past ~2 years I've been on Trifuel (Day 1 was the day CoolRunning sold out to Active dot crap), I've picked up ideas of other races from reading people's race reports and general comments about races they've done (eg, Anton's comments about Goofy, cutiger95's RR on Mt Mitchell). From those and from word of mouth, I've assembled a list, obviously not comprehensive, of events that are mostly ultra distance, hard to get into because they fill so fast, sometimes wacky and non-competitive, which are not on the major race circuit. I'm trying to find not-so-obvious yet marquis events (NY Marathon, duh, and yeah, I know about Leadville) which fall under the radar (ie, living 1,000 miles from any mountain of import, I've never heard of LoToJa). So, I'm sharing this list but also soliciting input on other events that are comparable in nature: really long and (maybe) hard to get into, thus necessitating knowing about well in advance.
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