Spitfire Ultra Trail Challenge at Menan Butte

Description:

Volcano vs You! Who will win? The Spitfire Ultra Trail Challenge at Menan Butte (formerly known as the Menan Butte Trail Challenge) was created as an invitation to challenge yourself in a unique geological setting that has everything from sand, volcanic rock, slick rock, sage brush and possible wildlife. The run takes place at the North Menan Butte, an extinct volcano that was formed by violent eruptions 10,000 years ago. You will be blown away by the variety of sights and surfaces to be found as you traverse its west and east sides, run its rim and down through its heart. We invite you to “Run Your Ash Off” and battle the volcano for bragging rights, as you test your mettle and forge your character on April 16, 2016. Here’s your chance to help others! We aren’t just about racing and recreation. We’re also about helping others and giving back. That’s why we have chosen this event to help us raise funds to support Camp Magical Moments, a cancer camp for kids. A portion of each race entry will be donated to this camp and you will have the opportunity when you check out to make an additional donation too! For more information, following this link. http://www.campmagicalmoments.org/. Courses. 5K – Begin at base camp with a short out back on a dirt road and then it’s up the face of the butte. At the rim you will take a left and prepare to descend down into the caldera. As you make your way back up to the rim, you will circle right around to the aid station. Once at the aid station prepare to make the steep decent back down to the finish line. 12K – Begin at base camp with 0.5 mile out and back before heading up the butte. Once on top you will run the 5K course and then it’s back down through the caldera to experience the rest of this dormant volcano. After crossing the caldera a second time, you will head left (north) and make your way up to the towers. A short distance after the towers you will access a gravel road that takes you down the east side of the butte (known as “R” mountain to the locals). As you make your way down to the boundary chain and then back up to the rim, mind your surroundings and see if you can spot the “R” painted on its face. Once you are back at the top you will hang a right and finish running the west rim before descending back down to the finish line. 25K –Buttingear believes in second chances and therefore created the 25K for those of you who want to do it again and maybe learn something new. Begin at base camp with a 1.25 mile out and back. The course is then the same as the 12K course…times 2! Your second loop will not have the initial out and back. After the first loop, check in at base camp, refuel and head back up for your second loop. 25k participants will have until 2:00pm to complete the course. 50K – For those who are “touched in the head”…we mean more experienced or wanting more adventure…we present you the 50K. Beginning at base camp, your first two loops will be identical to the 25k course. Check in and refuel after your second loop and head out to the sand, sage and volcanic formations for approximately 13 miles before taking on your last loop of the butte. The last loop will not include the descent down the east side of the butte and will basically be a figure 8 pattern of the rim, before heading down to the finish line where you will be celebrated as victors of the volcano. Cut-off time for the 50k is as follows: runner must depart the Basecamp Aid Station by 12 noon in order to complete the race with full support. All runners must be across the finish line by 2:00pm in order to have an official time. Runners who may choose to finish the race even if they may not be within the time limits but will do so at their own risk.