The first full weekend of June delivered heat, high mileage, and impressive grit from California to Japan. Whether charging up ridgelines or cruising timed loops, ultrarunners pushed their limits across the globe. Here’s a look at three standout races:
⛰️ Mt Umunhum Ultras — San Jose, CA
Distances: 50K, 50 Mile, 100K • Elevation: ~11,000 ft (100K)
Hosted in the Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve, the Mt. Umunhum Ultras deliver stunning Bay Area vistas, switchback climbs, and brutal heat. The 100K racers battled 90°F temps on exposed ridgelines, while 50K runners tackled fast descents through shaded fire roads. Finishers received handcrafted wood medals and local produce at the finish line.
View Race Website →🌉 SF Half Day — San Francisco, CA
Format: Timed Ultra (6hr / 12hr / 24hr) • Course: 1-mile paved loop
This time-based event draws local legends and first-time ultra hopefuls alike to San Francisco’s Crissy Field. Runners looped a scenic out-and-back beneath the Golden Gate Bridge, supported by live music and motivational chalk art on course. Several participants surpassed 80 miles in the 24-hour division — and volunteers handed out ice pops after midnight.
Official Page →🇯🇵 Iwate Ginga 100km Challenge — Kitakami, Japan
Distance: 100K • Start Time: 4:00 AM • Cutoff: 14 hours
Japan’s Iwate Ginga 100K continues to grow as one of the country’s most scenic road ultras. The course winds through riverside towns and rural landscapes with sunrise over the Kitakami Mountains. Known for its supportive crowd and neat aid stations (including miso soup!), this year’s edition welcomed international runners for the first time since pre-COVID restrictions.
Visit Race Website →☀️ Pro Tip: June is notorious for heat stress. Many runners this weekend carried frozen bottles or wore ice bandanas — stay smart and pace accordingly when temperatures rise!
Another inspiring weekend in the books. Whether racing along Pacific coastlines or across the Japanese countryside, runners continue to show up and put in the miles. See you on the trails next weekend!
← Back to Articles