THIS IS NOT AT ALL A BEGINNER LEVEL ULTRAMARATHON

This a 50K course that is as beautiful as it is difficult. It ascends up from the tranquil waters of the Cispus River to Tongue Mountain, then follows the stunning, sun-soaked, serrated ridgeline of Juniper Ridge out to Sunrise Peak and back. This course, which features over 9,000 feet of elevation gain, will also feature very technical trails, some very steep climbs, and some remote places. It will also provide you with miles of the best alpine ridge running on Earth, an indescribably spectacular panorama of the Cascade Range, and soul-stirring views nearby of volcanoes that will stay with you forever.

As this is a steep, technical, remote, and long 50K, you will have a generous 11 hour cutoff to make sure you get your hard earned finish with some time to take in the resplendent meadows and Cascade mountainscapes that will captivate your spirit! This is not a beginner-level ultramarathon. Please come with a deep respect for that fact in mind, and training sufficient to have a good time running on one of the wildest ridgelines in the Washington Cascades.

Here is an interactive map of the 50 Kilometer course on Caltopo:

Runner descending Sunrise Peak with the Cascades in the background

50K by the Numbers

50K Course Information:

Click here to see aid station details, crew access, and cutoffs:

Click here to see course details, including vert, mileage, and course segment details:

Key Times & Dates

Saturday, September 6, 2025 (Cispus Learning Center ~ Pavilion)

  • 4:00 PM: Camping opens for runners and crew

Sunday, September 7, 2025 (Cispus Learning Center ~ Pavilion)

  • 5:00-6:30 AM Runner check-in, race packet pick-up, and drop bag collection

  • 6:45 AM: Race course briefing

  • 7:00 AM: The Dark Divide 50 Kilometer begins!

  • 6:00 PM: Final finish line cut-off

Monday, September 8, 2025 (Cispus Learning Center ~ Pavilion)

  • 8:00 AM: All runners must be out of their campsites