2023 EVENTS & PARTNERSHIPS

At Ultimate Direction, we strive to create community from the roots. While we sponsor races like Western States Endurance Run, one of the most arduous organized running events in the U.S., we also support smaller races and grassroots programs.

Western States Endurance Run

The Western States® 100-Mile Endurance Run is the world’s oldest 100-mile trail race. The Run starts in Olympic Valley, California, near the site of the 1960 Winter Olympics, and ends 100.2 miles later in Auburn, California. In the decades since its inception in 1974, Western States has come to represent one of the ultimate endurance tests in the world. WSER also supports trail stewardship and research on endurance runners.

GO BEYOND RACING

Go Beyond Racing puts on trail running races around Oregon and around Mt. St. Helens in Washington. Last year, they had over 3,000 runners at their events, with runners from 12 countries and over 40 states. It was especially exciting to have over 500 of these runners participating in their first trail race ever! Their non-profit, The Trail Mix Fund, also funds opportunities for race entries for under-represented runners who cannot afford fees, does trail maintenance, supports area non-profits, and boasts ways of reducing impact from their events.

RUN

UP FOR AIR - MALANS PEAK

Running Up For Air (aka RUFA) is an endurance mountain challenge that was created to raise money in support of the fight for improved air quality for those who live along the Wasatch Front. UD is supporting UD Athlete's Malans Peak event, a 6-, 12-, or 24-hour winter endurance challenge that takes place at Malans Peak on the east bench of Ogden City.

Durango Fall Classic

A fully supported trail half-marathon that takes place during the fall. The race starts and finishes at Colvig Silver Camps and is a lollipop loop that goes up Red Creek and traverses Missionary Ridge.

CABALLO BLANCO

Started by Micah True (El Caballo Blanco) who wanted to bring runners from all over the world and introduce them to the Ramamuri (Tarahumara) people, their beautiful lands, and their great culture. The Ultra event brings together endurance athletes from all over the planet to run together with over 600 Raramuri athletes.

CHUCKANUT 50K

A mountain ultra with technical terrain. The lollipop course starts and finishes on with the 10k on the interurban trail with smooth running to start and finish. The middle 30k is what this race is known for as you get to climb (5,000ft), traverse and descend the famous Chuckanut Mountain Ridge amongst beautiful Pacific Northwest terrain.

OLD MAN WINTER BIKE RALLY & RUN

An iconic celebration of Colorado’s best mixed-terrain running and riding. Riders can choose 50km or 100km of gravel, snow, climbs and thrills. Runners can crush the 5k or 10km course that provides the best of Lyons, CO - single track trails, red rock canyon and gravel paths.

Running Start

A nonprofit with the mission to provide women with barriers to fitness the confidence, courage, and community support they need to change their lives through running.

OUT TRAILS LGBTQ+ RUNNING RETREAT

The Out Trails LBGTQ+ Running Retreat – Mount St. Helens is an opportunity for LGBTQ+ runners to celebrate their community and delve deep into an incredible landscape.

Trashfreetrails

To re(connect) people with nature through the simple yet meaningful act of removing single-use pollution from wild places through DIO (DO IT OURSELVES) riding, roaming, or running.

Project Inspire Diversity

An initiative through UD Athlete, Joseph Gray, is a grassroots program aimed at seeding inspiration and motivation among young minority distance runners in Colorado.