When is it? Festivities start at 4 p.m., Friday, June 17th at the Town Armory in downtown Lake City. We serve dinner until 7 p.m. (free for entrants, guests for nominal fee), and you can leave drop bags in the marked piles. The gun goes off at 5 on Saturday morning; most people finish in the evening (rainy three years out of six); and awards and raffle (free for everyone) are held on Sunday morning in the park at 8:30. This last hang-out is always a good time; don't miss it!

What's the topography like? More scenic than any other run but Hardrock, and equally as difficult—just a whole lot shorter. There are three climbs: #1 is almost 4,500’ up Alpine Gulch; #2 is 4,000’ up past the old ghost town of Carson and onto the continental Divide; #3 comes at mile 41 and is only about 2,000’, but it hammers most runners fairly hard.
The footing is, for the most part, very good, and the course is marked appropriately—not too much, not too little, just enough so that alert runners should have no problem. However, note that each year we have had people blow through marked turns and get themselves well off the trail. Our rules state that the runner must return to the spot where s/he last left the trail and continue from there. The ’00 race saw some DQs because of runners not returning to the trail. Please study the map, carry one with you, and DO NOT put your head down and simply follow the folks in front of you. Do remember that when 500 flags go up on a 50 mile course in the very high mountains that some are bound to go down in front of elk, marmots, jeepers, hikers, ants, sharks, bears.

Do I have to qualify? Yes. On the entry form, you must list a completed trail ultra. This is for safety's sake, as well as to make reasonably sure that you'll have a shot at making the cut-offs along the course. We know that it's a bummer to fly from Florida and get cut at mile 15, which is a distinct possibility if you are from Florida and come out the day before the run.
See the "Basic Rules" sheet for cut off times.

Will I get lost or die? You may get off trail, but if you've studied the map, have a reasonably good sense of direction, you probably won't die. If you do find yourself in an unmarked wilderness, do not just keep forging ahead. Go Back! Even if it means going back uphill, you should go back to where you last knew where you were.
And remember to check in and out of those aid stations, as well as to notify us toute de suite if you drop out; otherwise, we'll mount a huge search and rescue and then give you the bill. To avoid getting such a bill, it is a very wise idea to buy a "Hiker's Certificate" either before the event or at one of the sporting stores in Lake City when you get to town. The Certificate is like a National Forest Service bond that will pay for your rescue; and the good part is that it's only a couple of bucks.
By the way, the race does not pick up anyone's emergency costs, including medical. Someone has already tried this, thank you.
Runners in this event have decided to pay good money to put themselves under some serious duress-even to risk life and limb in the face of dangerous situations, which include animals and very serious weather.

Really, what about that weather? All of our literature warns you to be very careful because up there on the Divide there are some "gnarly" storms that have nearly vaporized past entrants. And this is no you-know-what: Be Careful, and be ready to run for it; forget your time, the run; forget everything except for getting down off the high ridges.
Think about it when you 1) sign the waiver, and 2) are up there listening to thunder in the distance.
Also be prepared to cross numerous snowfields.

What kind of people enter this thing? People like Grizz, and Lise and Ulrich - basically feral. You might be a little more sane. Probably not.
The main thing we want to stress is that this is NOT A BEGINNER'S RUN. In 2000, the event was listed in the "10 Hardest Events" in Colorado, in Rocky Mt. Sports and Fitness, along with a bunch of 24 hour mountain bike races and other weird things you can do like Hardrock. Talk to people who've done the 50 and they'll tell you about a fairly serious day - verging on dire if the weather really goes. You should have run tons of distance, feel comfortable in the high mountains, and know how to get yourself out of bad places, like storms, the very big kind with bad electricity. This means that you might have to leave the marked course, and this means route-finding and keeping your act together under duress.
We put on a well-organized run so that you'll have a great weekend, but we do not hold your hand, and there is in effect at this race the #1 rule in ultras: No Whining At Any Time. Read Emerson's "Self Reliance" again before you come.

How long does it usually take most runners to complete the run? Middle of the pack is 13 hours. Be aware that there is a final 16-hour cut off at the finish (9pm). There have been a couple of heartbreaks at 9:04. Plan to make it.

What kinds of awards are there? Awards are broken down into three categories: top three places in men and women, age group awards, and then finisher awards for specific times.

- Sub 8 hours, the Freak of Nature award
- Sub 10 hours, the Mutant award
- Sub 12 hours, the Cannibal award
- Sub 16 hours (the cut off at the finish), the Survivor award

Also loads of gear and goodies to be raffled off! Don't miss it!


Is the run a benefit? Yes! All proceeds go to the Lake City EMT. You can make contributions by buying EMT t-shirts and hats at the dinner and at the breakfast. This is a good move for your karma in general, as these folks could end up carrying you out; you never know.

Whom should I contact with more questions? If you still have things to ask, you can email the run at info@lakecity50.com .