My bucket list, counting down: 6. Denali 135 (Alaska), 5. Hardrock 100 (Colorado), 4. Leadville 100 (Colorado), 3. Badwater 135 (Death Valley), 2. Western States 100 (California) and 1. UTMB (the Alps). Wild places, legendary history, and some of the hardest finish lines in the sport.
I've run seven 100-milers and three 200-milers. Every one of them meant something. But there are a handful of races every ultrarunner dreams about: the ones with the history, the scenery and the stories. Here are the six on my bucket list, counting down to number one.
At a glance
| # | Race | When | Distance | Climbing | Cutoff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Denali 135 Alaska | June | ~131 mi | ~8,800 ft | 48 hr |
| 5 | Hardrock 100 Silverton, CO | July | ~102 mi | ~33,000 ft | 48 hr |
| 4 | Leadville 100 Leadville, CO | August | 100 mi | 15,000+ ft | 30 hr |
| 3 | Badwater 135 Death Valley, CA | July | 135 mi | ~14,600 ft | 45 hr |
| 2 | Western States California | June | 100.2 mi | ~18,000 ft | 30 hr |
| 1 | UTMB Chamonix, France | Late August | ~108 mi | ~32,500 ft | ~46.75 hr |
6. Denali 135 (Alaska)
- Where: Paxson to Cantwell, Alaska
- When: June 20, 2027
- Distance: ~131 miles
- Climbing: ~8,800 ft
- Cutoff: 48 hours
Why it's on my list: Alaska is such a beautiful place, and so vast. It's somewhere I've always wanted to travel, and what better way to see it than on foot.
The race runs about 131 miles of the 135-mile Denali Highway, mostly on gravel and chip-seal road, over Maclaren Summit, with views of Denali itself. In June, you get nearly 20 hours of daylight.
How to get in: entry is limited, and you have to qualify: at least three ultras of 50+ miles in the previous three years, including one of 100+ miles. Every runner needs a support vehicle and crew.
5. Hardrock 100 (Silverton, Colorado)
- Where: Silverton, Colorado
- When: July 9, 2027
- Distance: ~102 miles
- Climbing: ~33,000 ft
- Cutoff: 48 hours
Why it's on my list: the elevation gain is crazy, and I love being in the mountains.
Hardrock started in 1992 and is widely considered one of the hardest 100s in the world. The loop through the San Juan Mountains climbs about 33,000 feet at an average elevation around 11,000 feet, topping out at 14,048 feet on Handies Peak. It alternates direction every year, and at the finish, runners kiss the Hardrock, a big painted rock in Silverton.
How to get in: a lottery that's one of the hardest to win in the sport. You need to finish a Hardrock qualifying race and complete volunteer hours to be eligible.
4. Leadville 100 (Leadville, Colorado)
- Where: Leadville, Colorado
- When: August 21, 2027
- Distance: 100 miles
- High point: Hope Pass, ~12,500 ft
- Cutoff: 30 hours (big buckle under 25)
Why it's on my list: Leadville is such an iconic race, with around 800 runners on the start line, and the story behind it is really cool. Leadville was a mining town, and when the Climax mine shut down, the town lost its biggest source of jobs. So in 1983, they created this race to help keep the town alive.
I've been lucky enough to run it twice: 25:24:32 in 2022 and 23:35:20 in 2025. It's a race I'd want to do every single year.
How to get in: lottery, qualifier races, Life Time membership, charity entries or the Run Camp package. I broke down every option in how to get into the Leadville 100 in 2027.
3. Badwater 135 (Death Valley, California)
- Where: Badwater Basin to Whitney Portal, California
- When: July 19, 2027
- Distance: 135 miles
- Climbing: ~14,600 ft
- Cutoff: 45 hours
Why it's on my list: this is the ultra I've wanted to do most since I got into ultrarunning and read David Goggins' book, Can't Hurt Me.
Badwater starts at the lowest point in North America, in Death Valley, in July, and finishes 135 miles later at Whitney Portal, 8,360 feet up the side of Mount Whitney. It crosses three mountain ranges, and the last 13 miles climb almost 4,800 feet.
How to get in: it's an invitational race of about 100 runners. For 2027, you generally need at least four finishes of 100 miles or more, with one since January 1, 2026, and you apply January 2–20, 2027.
2. Western States 100 (California)
- Where: Olympic Valley to Auburn, California
- When: June 26–27, 2027
- Distance: 100.2 miles
- Climbing: ~18,000 ft up, ~23,000 ft down
- Cutoff: 30 hours (silver buckle under 24)
Why it's on my list: Western States is the Super Bowl of ultrarunning in the United States, and so many legends run it every single year.
It's also where it all started. In 1974, Gordy Ainsleigh ran the course of the Tevis Cup horse ride on foot, and the race became official in 1977, making it the oldest 100-mile trail race. It runs from the high Sierra above Olympic Valley, down through the canyons, to a finish on the track in Auburn.
How to get in: finish an official qualifying race within its time standard, then enter the lottery. For 2027, applications are open November 1–21, 2026, with the drawing on December 5.
1. UTMB (Chamonix, France)
- Where: Chamonix, France, through Italy and Switzerland
- When: Late August
- Distance: ~108 miles (~174 km)
- Climbing: ~32,500 ft
- Cutoff: ~46 hours 45 minutes
Why it's #1: UTMB is probably the most beautiful race I've ever seen, and I've wanted to go to that part of the world for a long time.
The Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc circles the Mont Blanc massif through three countries, finishing back in Chamonix to one of the biggest crowds in trail running. It's the centerpiece of the global trail running calendar.
How to get in: earn Running Stones by finishing UTMB World Series races and hold a valid 100K or 100-mile UTMB Index, then enter the lottery. Every stone adds another chance in the draw.
Want something shorter? Here are my 50 mile races to add to your bucket list.
Which one is on your list?
Every race on this list started as someone's dream. Most of them require you to qualify, so the path to your bucket list race usually starts with your first 100. Here's the complete guide to running your first 100-mile race.
I'll build your plan around your calendar and your goal race, from qualifiers to race day, and handle the fueling, gear and blood work along the way. You show up and run.
See if you qualifyCommon questions
What is the oldest 100-mile race?
Western States. Gordy Ainsleigh first ran the course in 1974, and it became an official race in 1977.
What is the hardest 100-mile race in the US?
Hardrock is widely considered one of the hardest, with about 33,000 feet of climbing at an average elevation around 11,000 feet. Badwater 135 is one of the hardest road ultras, through Death Valley in July.
How do you get into Western States?
Finish an official qualifying race within its time standard, then enter the lottery. For 2027, applications are open November 1–21, 2026.
How do you qualify for Badwater 135?
It's invitational. For 2027, you generally need four or more 100-mile finishes, with one since January 1, 2026, and you apply January 2–20, 2027.
How do you get into UTMB?
Earn Running Stones at UTMB World Series races, hold a valid 100K or 100-mile UTMB Index, and enter the lottery.