Ultramarathons in December
December ultras are for the stubborn and the sun-seekers. Hellgate 100K starts at midnight in the Virginia Blue Ridge; desert 50Ks in Arizona and California offer the opposite: dry trail and low winter sun.
Count back from race day
- Mid-June: start the 10-week primer
- Late August: start the 16-week 50K plan
- Late November: peak week
- Mid-December: race day
Your training season. A fall build in the best running weather of the year. Your peak lands on Thanksgiving, so schedule the long run for the morning and eat the pie in good conscience.
Masters Athlete Insights
As days shorten, more runs happen in the dark. Good light and reflective gear are a good idea, and easy pace is the right pace for headlamp miles.
Start the 16-week 50K plan · Not 26 weeks out yet? Begin with the 10-week primer.
