Sneaker This One into Your Race Schedule
Elk and other wildlife are usually the only ones who transverse the logging trails to what Tillamook locals refer to as the “Top of the World.”
But once a year, ultrarunners are invited to race in the wilderness for the Ultramook 30K and 50K races, happening this year on Saturday, July 12.
The races, hosted just outside of Tillamook, are like none other. The courses travel the Tillamook Ridge Trail and feature Stanley Peak in the Tillamook Forest. The routes are made up of a larger 30K loop and a smaller 20K loop. Participants will either run the larger loop and finish or run both loops for a total of 50K.
The race is staged at the Hydrangea Ranch in Tillamook, with the starting line across the Kilchis River roughly a half mile from the farm.
The courses are on Tillamook State Forest and Bureau of Land Management lands, with roughly 70 percent on abandoned logging roads and trails that are well traveled by wildlife and the rest on remote, infrequently traveled logging roads. The 30k has 3,719 feet of total ascent with a max elevation of 2,114 feet. The 20K has an additional 2,762 feet of ascent with a max elevation of 1,795 feet resulting in 6,481 feet of total climb. Thankfully, 90 percent of the courses are shaded.
“This trail is the best kept secret on the Oregon Coast, and we’re ready to introduce it to the world of running,” said Patrick Zweifel, founder of the Ultimook non-profit.
The course is well marked and the aid stations are well stocked. If any racer is unable to continue, vehicles are parked at two of the aid stations to transport participants off of the course.
But, the hospitality doesn’t stop there.
“The Hydrangea Ranch is a beautiful place and you are invited to camp out the night before and the night afterwards if you’d like,” Zweifel said. “A post-race meal and beverages will also be served, and professional quality racing photos will be taken throughout the race that will be available for racers to download.”
Strict cutoff times have been established for the safety of the participants and volunteer crew. 50K participants must finish the 30K loop within six hours. On the second 20K loop, racers will not be allowed past the aid station at mile 25 after eight hours. “Fit” walkers will be allowed in the 30K, but will not be allowed past the last aid station at 12 miles if they do not make it in five hours. At hour 10, the finish line crew will pack up, however, race management will be monitoring all athletes until they return back to the Hydrangea Ranch safely, assuming all cutoff times above have been followed.
Top times from the 50k race were posted in 2023 for the men’s division with Kyle Peterson running 3:39:23, and in the women’s division Madalyne Staab in a time of 4:47:34.
Proceeds from the event benefit the Ultimook nonprofit, with the mission of developing young runners in both mind and body. Ultimook programs include the Ultimook Track Club and the Ultimook Running Camp.
This year’s races will be hosted beginning at 8 am with check in beginning at 6 am. The cost for the 30K is $150, the 50K is $165.
For more information and registration, go to ultramook50k.com.