When you are sitting in a room next to ultra legend Scott Jurek (7x winner of Western States 100) and ultra champion Stephanie Howe (2014 Western States 100 winner, on her first century run) you might walk away a bit in awe and inspired. Throw in a talk with Born to Run author Christopher McDougall and it’s humbling to be surrounded by a who’s who of the ultra community.
Coming back from experiencing the Boston Marathon (as a spectator) and being surrounded by extremely strong and equally impressive athletes, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to announce my ultra plans for this fall. A few months back, I was selected to take part in a 3-day Ultra experience in Canada called the Golden Ultra. Receiving 1 of the 6 scholarship opportunities, I’ll be surrounded (again) by some major players in the ultra community, including THIS lady.
Let’s take a look at what we’ll be running over the 3-day adventure in the mountains:
GoldenUltra.com
Golden Ultra: 3 Days of Pure Mountain Bliss
The Golden Ultra features three stages: The Blood, The Sweat and The Tears. Runners may participate solo in the stage race, as a relay team of three, or may register for any single stage individually.
The Blood
Day 1: 5km (3.1 miles)
1000 m elevation gain, 0 m loss. Detailed course description.
Straight uphill, no joke route… hence the name. At the summit, you’re treated to 360-degree views deep into the Purcell Mountains, along the Columbia River Valley and back to the Rocky Mountains.
The Sweat
Day 2: 55km (34.2 miles)
2500 m elevation gain… and loss. Detailed course description.
One big and beautiful loop running from the town of Golden to the summit of Kicking Horse Mountain Resort… and back again. Fantastic mountain views with most of the route happening on single track.
See video of almost the whole course.
The Tears
Day 3: 20km (12.4 miles)
375 m elevation gain. Brief course description.
Flat, flowy, and fun. A beautiful, rolling 20 km jaunt on the northern slopes of the Columbia River valley. The first and last 3.5 km of the course is on the double-wide, gravel-surfaced town trail, so you can bask in the glory of cheering spectators. The remaining running is on some technical single track.
Click here to see the weekend’s timeline.
Click here to see details for registration and awards.
Click here to see accommodations and rates.
Giveaway: Run the Golden Ultra
One lucky winner will be randomly chosen to receive a complimentary solo, 3-day registration (travel and accommodations NOT included). Enter below for your chance to win. The giveaway will end on Sunday, April 26 at midnight (PST).
Discount code: use code ULTRAPAVEY to receive a 5% discount on registration. There is a price increase on April 30. You can always register today and if you win the giveaway, share the free entry with a friend.
Good Luck.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
* * * *
I’m looking forward to what looks like a weekend filled with EPIC views and an equally impressive experience.
Click here to read my interview with Golden Ultra.
Which day would you look forward to most?
This looks AMAZING. The first day looks so awesome- getting to reach the summit and that beautiful view? Sign me up!
Oh my so AWESOME!!!! Can’t wait to read see all about it!! Happy trails! You’ll do AWESOME
Too close to me not to enter – and easy enough to convince my husband to join me with all the amazing mountain biking in the area. I’d definitely have some work to do to get ready :)
This. Looks. AWESOME!
This weekend looks amazing! I would love to be surrounded by all the ultra goodness!
The “sweat” looks amazing!
Bucket. List. Adventure.
Ultras… yes please, as I transition from road to trails…
The mountains around Golden are amazing! I’d love this, especially the second day.
This weekend looks like a great warmup, ultra, recovery run! What a great way to spend my first trip to Canada!
Amazing views!!!!
Ufda. Amazeballs.
Id look forward to Day TWO and three the most!
It’s such a beautiful part of my world. Hope you have an incredible time!
This is amazing, Pavey! Just in my backyard! This would be incredible to win and to run with you and others (EMZ and people from all around) in Golden – it’s such a great area. I think I’d most look forward to summiting on day 1 (blood!) or to the sweat (day 2) with all the single track. I will start training right away if I win! Thanks for the giveaway. :)
I keep wanting to run an ultra so why not now?! Thanks for the giveaway!
I have been looking for push myself past the marathon distance…this race looks beautiful! I love the idea of this adventure!
Who can resist a race with a 5K hill to start? perfect way to vacation.
I’m dipping my feet into the ultra world this year. Hoping to tackle the 50K first. Thanks for the giveaway!
Just reading the descriptions of the terrain and distance is making me giddy to pull on trail shoes again. Such an epic ultra to tackle!!!!
I kind of like the idea of an ultra split up over three days. That doesn’t mean I’m going to do one, but I like the idea! Good luck!
Wow, what an amazing experience! I would love to get a team together for this since it is practically in my back yard!
Love stage races! Fell in love at 3 Days of Syllamo, and would love to explore one in a new location!
That ultra looks great. Sign me up.
Very cool!
please pick me!
oh my! 3 days of pure bliss!
Looks great! 3-day running tour with a VK and ultra? Sign me up!
They all look amazing, but the first day seems the most exciting! Thanks for putting this together!
I’d love to be able to do something like this!
I will be there no matter what!
How Amazing would this be?!?!
this looks like an awesome adventure! :)