
- Gain
- 9.0k ft
- Gain / mile
- 315 ft
- High point
- 8.8k ft
Editorial summary
9,000 feet of gain over 28 miles, mostly technical high-mountain terrain.
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Big climbing or real altitude, where the terrain decides your day.
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These come from what runners write about each race, not from an objective score. Each match shows how many experiences back it up.
How runners describe the feel of the weekend, taken from reports and reviews. Not something the race claims about itself.
How practical the race is to crew: course shape, what the driving is like and how long your runner is out of reach.
Best matches · 14 races
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Editorial summary
9,000 feet of gain over 28 miles, mostly technical high-mountain terrain.

Editorial summary
23,000+ feet of gain, remote technical sections and the notorious late Cardiac Needles.

Trail · 100K · Out-and-back
Cascade Locks, OR · Apr 17, 2027 · Dates not announced
Editorial summary
Punchy climbing and rocky talus sections interrupt otherwise runnable trail and total about 11,000 feet of gain.
Trail · 100 Mile · Out-and-back
Leadville, CO · Typically August · Registration opens soon
Editorial summary
The raw climbing number understates Leadville because much of the race occurs near or above 10,000 feet. Hope Pass is the headline obstacle, but altitude affects virtually every section.

Editorial summary
The entire race averages above 9,100 feet and combines 7,000 feet of gain with technical alpine footing.

Editorial summary
Steep climbs, exposed ridges, changing coastal weather and tight intermediate cutoffs.

Editorial summary
Moderate climbing for a mountain 100, but rocky technical sections and overnight running add difficulty.

Trail · Trail marathon · Out-and-back
Manitou Springs, CO · Typically September
Editorial summary
A 7,800-foot climb at roughly 11% average uphill grade followed by a technical high-altitude descent.

Editorial summary
Large cumulative climbing is compounded by prolonged running at high elevation. The trail is not uniformly technical, but altitude, long climbs, and potentially severe mountain weather substantially increase difficulty.

Editorial summary
Roughly 3,450 m of climbing over 50K creates exceptional vertical density.

Editorial summary
More than 20,000 feet of climbing and varied descents at sustained mountain altitude.

Editorial summary
Runnable terrain shifts the challenge toward cumulative fatigue and disciplined pacing.

Editorial summary
About 24,000 feet of climbing plus technical mountain terrain and major day-to-night weather swings.
Trail · 100 Mile · Point-to-point
Auburn, CA · Jun 26, 2027 · Registration opens soon
Editorial summary
Western States combines an aggressive opening climb and alpine running with long descending and often severe canyon heat. The roughly 23,000 feet of descent creates substantial cumulative quad damage.