Paying Homage to the Traditional September 100 Milers – iRunFar

For American path runners and ultrarunners, particularly those that are a fan of 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 heart stage and so they 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 really delivers with tons 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 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 great variety and issue of the paths of Southern Oregon.

A real grassroots group occasion, the Pine to Palm 100 Mile is a kind of pure 100 milers that deserves to be on any ultrarunner’s bucket listing.

Mogollon Monster 100 Mile — Arizona

Based by Aravaipa Operating’s proprietor, Jamil Coury, and at the moment 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 sizzling; two, it’s technical; and three, it’s lengthy — finally depend, no less than 106 miles and a few would say a bit longer.

In brief, it’s as elusive because the monster that provides the race its identify.

Run Rabbit Run 100 Mile — Colorado

This iconic race, which for years was a traditional 50 miler on the autumn calendar, was expanded to incorporate the 100-mile distance a few dozen years in the past, by long-time race director Fred Abramowitz.

Recognized for its massive prize purse, completely different begin instances for “hares” and “tortoises,” and a merely gorgeous course within the mountains round Steamboat Springs, Colorado, the Run Rabbit Run 100 Mile is a kind of races that acts greater than it’s. A enjoyable occasion, with all types of issues occurring across the race on this endurance mecca, it appears to wrap collectively the previous with the brand new slightly 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 robust! Combining technical singletrack, traditional Idaho scree scrambles, and the standard provide of PUDS (pointless ups and downs), Jeremy has created a course, and an occasion, that may certainly 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 to stroll the road and keep the old fashioned vibe that has characterised this race for nearly 20 years, whereas additionally embracing the expansion and innovation that Ironman is bringing to the game. From experiences on the bottom, final weekend, this primary yr did simply that. This occasion within the rugged mountains of Central Appalachia is one that may maintain 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 place of birth of Southwest Virginia. Carried out utterly 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 help stations, great group help, 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 the moment presided over by the passionate Cody Draper, is to me one of many traditional boutique ultras on the circuit.

Held within the prime time of leaf season in northern Utah and southern Idaho, and boasting 22,000 ft 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 kind of races you are feeling like it’s essential to do earlier than you select to hold it up.

And there you’ve gotten it! Eight traditional 100 milers unfold throughout the U.S. via 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 traditional selection.  Clean and straightforward consuming, Pilot Rock is a kind of Porters that makes you look twice and surprise if that is actually as darkish because it appears to be like!

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• Have you ever attended any of those races? Which of them, and inform us about them!
• What are your different fall favorites?