U.S. Skyrunning Announces 2017 Schedule, Including First 100-Miler

U.S. Skyrunning released its schedule of races for 2017 today.

Skyrunning, which first arose in Europe, is a particular style of mountain running that emphasizes vertical gain and technicality. Its races fall into one of three categories: “sky,” or races between 22 and 50 kilometers with at least 1,300 meters (4,265 feet) of climbing; “ultra,” or races over 50K; and “vertical,” or races no longer than 5K that have at least 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) of climbing.

For 2017, the U.S. series has added its first 100-miler, the IMTUF 100 in Idaho. It’s a notable inclusion, as the remainder of the “ultra” races hover around the 50K distance.

The 2017 race schedule, as listed in a recent press release, is:

SKY

1. Whiteface Sky Race – 19 miles – Wilmington, New York – July 9 – 9,000 feet elevation gain

2. Kendall Mountain Run – 12 miles – Silverton, Colorado – July 22 – 3,750 feet elevation gain

3. The Rut – 28K – Big Sky, Montana – September 2 – 7,800 feet elevation gain

4. Crystal Mountain Sky Marathon – 26 miles – Crystal Mountain Resort, Washington – September 16 – 8,000 feet elevation gain

5. Flagstaff Sky Race – 39K – Flagstaff, Arizona – October 6 – 8,000 feet elevation gain

ULTRA

1. Tahoe Sky Ultra – 52K – Lake Tahoe, California – June 17 – 10,000+ feet elevation gain

2. Audi Power of 4 – 50K – Aspen Snowmass, Colorado – August 6 – 12,178 feet elevation gain

3. The Rut – 50K – Big Sky, Montana – September 3 – 10,500 feet elevation gain

4. IMTUF – 100 miles – Idaho – September 16 – 20,000+ feet elevation gain

5. Flagstaff Sky Race – 55K – Flagstaff, Arizona – October 7 – 10,000 feet elevation gain

VERTICAL

1. Tahoe VK – Lake Tahoe, California – June 16

2. Whiteface VK – Wilmington, New York – July 8

3. Audi Power of 4 VK – Aspen Snowmass, Colorado – August 5

4. Lone Peak VK – Big Sky, Montana – September 1

5. Flagstaff Sky Race VK – Flagstaff, Arizona – October 7