North Fork 50 Mile Trail Race

Race completed

80 km Distance

2,200 m Climbing

7.3 Grit · Hardcore

34.3845° N, 111.4551° W© OpenFreeMap © OpenMapTiles Data from OpenStreetMap

What the course asks

Climbing rate 28 m / km Rolling. Moderate undulations. Requires consistent effort across varying grades.

Field size ~89 Mid-sized. Company early, well spread out by halfway.

DUV results for the 2026 edition (50mi) — finishers only. Starters are not published, so the field was at least this big and no finish rate can be given.

Typical conditions, May

Daytime high 23°C

Night low 6°C

Rainfall Dry — rain unlikely

Daylight 14 h 15 m of light

Regional 2001-2020 average for May — NASA POWER, grid elevation 1930 m. Not a forecast.

The Aid Station

Course-specific beta from the community

⛰️ terrain

This is a rolling course. Expect fast, runnable sections where rhythm is key.

By UltraHub Expert

👟 gear

With trail terrain, choose a shoe with moderate cushioning for optimal performance.

By UltraHub Expert

Gear for this race

Chosen for 80 km of trail with 2,200 m of ascent.

Trail Running Shoes28 m of climb per kilometre — grip and rock protection before cushioning.
Race Nutrition80 km of self-supported fuelling between aid stations.
Hydration VestsPole attachment and chest-strap stability on steep ground.
Trekking Poles2,200 m of ascent to walk up.
Headlamps80 km almost certainly means running into the night.

Brooks

Catamount 3

RunRepeat found the Brooks Catamount 3 to have a cozier upper that enhances the overall fit, though breathability and durability could be better. iRunFar noted…

★★★★★ 4.5

Salomon