I am looking for a 100 miler in the Domestic US for 2012 that is a non-lottery race. If you could do any one, what would you do?

Right now I am thinking Leadville.

That is what I was wondering - Give us a few criteria.  I only did Leadville 1st because I had friends doing Leadville.

 

The one I will do second is this one

 

http://fall.superiortrailrace.com/

 

I believe Superior 100 will be more beautiful and gratifying to my soul.

 

But if I wanted something close I would do this

 

http://www.kettle100.com/

 

Sleep in my own bed - Easy to get crew and pacers

 

I would love to do Vermont or Massnutten

 

For me Leadville was too big, I have no reason to fight elevation as the primary limiter of performance (I live at sea level) - Logistically it was not that bad - Fly into Denver and drive a couple of hours.  It was harder on my crew to get in and out of aide stations.

 

A good listing

 

http://www.run100s.com/

 

or by month or location

 

http://barefootrunninguniversity.com/ultrasbydistance.html#100_Miles

I have done, and would do again... 1) Bighorn 2) Cactus Rose 3) Cascade Crest 4) Bear 5) Rocky Raccoon Would attempt Hardrock over all of those but it is a lottery. I have not done Superior, but have been the course and it is freaking awesome, definately above Rocky for me. Still, not sure how to answer you without more input on what you like. I would only consider Leadville in a Slam effort.

I haven't been there but I'm kind of suprised at the all the Leadville bashing.  Was it too crowded?

 

The only one I've done is Tahoe and would definitely recommend it.

 

MTA:  Ultrailz,  how am I supposed to pronounce or read your screen name?

Leadville has the mystique and the giant PR engine, but not really the substance to back it up, from what I've seen.  (I've run it once and crewed/paced 4 times).

 

- Due to new Wilderness Areas and re-routes over the years, it's now mostly roads (jeep, dirt, and paved). The only trail is around Turquoise Lake (7 miles), from Mayqueen to Hagerman Pass Rd (2.5 miles), the CT between Halfmoon and Twin Lakes (~4 miles?), and Hope Pass (7 miles).   So less than 40 miles of trail in a 100 mile race in the middle of the Rocky Mountains.  I found that fairly disappointing.

- 750 people makes for a really crowded first 13 miles or so

- 750 people makes it extremely hard on your crew at some points, such as Mayqueen out, Fish Hatchery out, and Winfield.  Winfield is a complete *disaster*... they really need to disallow crewing from there.

- It's highly profit-motivated and profit-driven, so I feel they tend to skimp on a lot of stuff, like the aid station fare. 

 

I've run Leadville once (it was my first 100 miler) and I will never run it again. 

 

Races I've done, loved and would do again (and again and again):

1. Hardrock (this one is #1 on my list and in a league of it's own, but it's a very hard lottery)

2. Bear

3. Cascade Crest

4. Bighorn (I've paced this one twice but haven't raced it yet due to Hardrock being 2 weeks later, but it's spectacular)

5. Wasatch (lottery, but odds are pretty good)

 

Others that look interesting or that I've heard really good things about:

1. Tahoe (CA/NV)

2. Superior (MN)

3. Swan Crest (MT)

4. Ozark (MO)

Wow....I thought this was the right forum to ask.....I'll give a little more criteria.....I have an opportunity to run for an excellent foundation that typically focuses on international expeditions but I am going to run a relatively well known US ultra as a rep for them this year instead. We'll look internationally later.

 

We do want the opportunity for PR, but not just for the sake of it. The foundation focuses on inspiration & recovery and I think we can do that at nearly any event.

 

Timeframe - late summer/ early fall 2012.

Terrain - in the words of the quote from the Tahoe races, "A Glimpse of Heaven, and a Taste of Hell" that's what I am looking for.  

Location - I'm in Ohio and Wisconsin a lot, so I would like to get out west of the Mississippi, but it's not mandatory.

 

So, here is what I am thinking based on what you all wrote and looking at the websites.....Top 3 choices (not necessarily in order):

1. Cascade Crest 100 (WA, Aug) - this one looks amazing in the photos, Pacific NW...beautiful.
2. Leadville 100 - (CO, Aug  debatable, per Dopple Bock: "like running Boston @ 10,000', everyone wants to do it"
3. Superior 100 (MN, Sept)  - not out west, but sounds amazing. "rugged, relentless, remote". I think this would be my choice, if not for it's location. I still think it's top 3.

Bear 100 (Idaho - Sept) ??

Big Horn 100 (WY - June) ??

Tahoe - I think worth a consideration - looks beautiful.

Kettle Moraine - I can do this as a local race.

Hardrock - lottery

 

@ Steve_S - I suppose like "ULTRAILS", it's just a combo of Ultra, Trails, and 1st letter of my name.

You are all awesome for commenting.....what you you think of the top 3 ????

Im looking at possibly making Burning River in Cleveland 100 my first. Close to enough people that I know that I may be able to get some support. I really, really have to get in better shape before committing to that.

 

I'm looking at the same race for a first 100 next year, as well. Just a 2 hour drive for me. Should be "fun".

Im looking at possibly making Burning River in Cleveland 100 my first. Close to enough people that I know that I may be able to get some support. I really, really have to get in better shape before committing to that.

 

Burning river was held July 28th last year.  From what I recall it got pretty hot and humidity was high.  If you are okay with the heat this may not be a problem, but otherwise similar to DB's point of view on low oxygen in leadville, I would not want to sign up for a race knowing the heat would be the primary limiting factor.