[Updated February 19, 2021 – Gnar Gnar and Brazos Bend approved by the MUT Executive Committee]
USA Track & Field’s Mountain Ultra Trail (MUT) Council announces the following 5 races scheduled to host National Championships in 2021. A total of $26,800 in prize money will be awarded and medals will be presented to the top 10 overall USATF athletes and top three in each 5 year masters’ age group starting at 40. Additional national championship bids are current being reviewed. As these championships are approved, this webpage will be updated.
Here is a list of the 2021 USATF National Championships in mountain, ultra & trail running confirmed as of February 1, 2021.
- April 23-24 – 100 Mile Road – Jackpot Ultra Running Festival – Henderson, NV – $10,000 prize money – Race Director: Ken Rubeli.
- June 13 – 50 km Road – Caumsett State Park 50K – Lloyd Harbor, NY – $3000 prize money – Race Directors: Carl Grossbard and Mike Polansky.
- August 8 – 50 km Trail – Ragged Mountain 50K – Sunapee, NH – $4000 prize money – Race Director: Tom Hooper.
- August 15 – Mountain – Gnar Gnar Mountain Race – Mt. Hood, Oregon – Race Director: Renee and Todd Janssen.
- September 25 – Half Marathon Trail – Birkie Trail Running Festival – Hayward, WI – $5000 prize money – Race Director: Kristy Maki.
- November 6 – Marathon Trail – Moab Trail Marathon – Moab, UT – $4800 prize money – Race Director: Danelle Ballengee.
- December 4 – 100 Mile Trail – Brazos Bend 100 – Needville, TX – Race Director: Rob Goyen.
For questions about the USATF MUT National Championship races contact Joe Jurczyk ([email protected]), USATF MUT Championship Chair.
Photo by Joe Viger Photography.
Athletes who participate in National Championships and Team USA competitions are subject to drug testing performed by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) in accordance with the USADA Protocol for Olympic and Paralympic Movement Testing.
The following 2021 World Championship events will also be contested by top U.S. mountain, ultra & trail runners:
- July 24 – International U18 Mountain Running Cup – Ambleside, UK – U.S. Team Selection Criteria – Team Staff: Mark Weeks and Anita Ortiz.
- October 2-3 – IAU 24 Hour (Road) World Championships – Timisoara, Romania – U.S. Team Selection Criteria – Team Staff: Howard Nippert, Zane Holscher and Dr. Greg Hon.
- October 31 – IAU 50 km (Road) World Championships – Chinese Taipei – U.S. Team Selection Criteria – Team Staff: Lin Gentling, Meghan Canfield and Dr. Lion Caldwell.
- November 11-14 — World Mountain and Trail Running Championships – Chiang Mai, Thailand – U.S. Team Selection Criteria – Team Staff: Richard Bolt, Ellen Miller, Paul Kirsch, Jason Bryant and Anita Ortiz.
American Trail Running Association (ATRA) founder & Executive Director Nancy Hobbs is chairperson of the USATF MUT Council. ATRA’s Richard Bolt, is a member of the USATF MUT Council and Executive Committee.
Photo by Joe Viger Photography.
An explanation of USATF MUT racing disciplines:
Mountain: The annual USATF Mountain Running Championships is a 10 to 12 km event alternating uphill (even numbered years) and uphill/downhill (odd numbered years) organized in accordance with USATF Rule 253. Women & men run the same distance and a separate start is preferred. Organizers design a course profile & distance which closely mirrors the Mountain race at the World Mountain & Trail Running Championships. Poles are not allowed.
Ultra Road: These are championships longer than 26.2 miles which are held primarily on roads or a track. Parts of the course could also be on paved paths closed to vehicular traffic or dirt roads. Events follow USATF Rule 240 (Road Races) with some exceptions for 252.8 (Refreshment Stations) to allow for crewing. Championships which are also IAU label events may be subject to certain IAU rules which could differ from USATF rules. Consult the race director to determine which rules will apply.
Ultra Trail: These are championships longer than 26.2 miles which are held primarily off-road where the majority of the course is closed to vehicular traffic. Events generally follow USATF Rule 254. Crewing at aid stations is allowed. Poles may be allowed.
(Sub-Ultra) Trail: These are championships at 26.2 miles and shorter which are held primarily off-road and where the majority of the course is closed to vehicular traffic. Events generally follow USATF Rule 254. Poles may be allowed.
Eric LiPuma winning the 2018 Caumsett 50K.
