My bucket list 50-milers, counting down: 5. JFK 50 (Maryland), 4. Comrades (South Africa), 3. CCC (the Alps), 2. Lavaredo 80K (the Dolomites) and 1. Rim to Rim to Rim in the Grand Canyon. History, big mountains, and the most beautiful run I've ever done.
Not every bucket list race has to be 100 miles. Some of the most iconic ultras in the world are around 50 miles: races with a century of history, courses through the Alps and the Dolomites, and one run in our own backyard that isn't even a race. Here are the five on my list, counting down to number one.
Looking for the big ones? Here are my bucket list 100+ mile races.
At a glance
| # | Race | When | Distance | Climbing | Cutoff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | JFK 50 Maryland | November | 50 mi | Mostly flat after the Appalachian Trail | 13 hr |
| 4 | Comrades South Africa | June | ~56 mi (90 km) | Rolling road hills | 12 hr |
| 3 | CCC Italy · Switzerland · France | Late August | ~62 mi (100 km) | ~20,000 ft | 26.5 hr |
| 2 | Lavaredo 80K Dolomites, Italy | June | ~50 mi (80 km) | ~15,100 ft | 22 hr |
| 1 | Rim to Rim to Rim Grand Canyon, AZ | Spring or fall | ~42–46 mi | ~10,700–11,000 ft | None |
5. JFK 50 Mile (Maryland)
- Where: Boonsboro to Williamsport, Maryland
- When: The Saturday before Thanksgiving
- Distance: 50 miles
- Cutoff: 13 hours
Why it's on my list: JFK is the oldest ultramarathon in the United States, and it has such a rich history.
It was first run in 1963, inspired by President Kennedy's push for physical fitness. The course starts on the rocky Appalachian Trail over South Mountain, drops onto the flat C&O Canal towpath along the Potomac River for the long middle section, and finishes on rolling country roads into Williamsport. That mix makes it a great first 50-miler.
How to get in: registration opens around March 1 and sells out fast, so be ready the day it opens. Register →
4. Comrades Marathon (South Africa)
- Where: Pietermaritzburg and Durban, South Africa
- When: June (June 13 in 2027)
- Distance: ~90 km (~56 miles)
- Cutoff: 12 hours
Why it's on my list: Comrades is one I've heard about for a couple of years, and it's been around for so long. I'm going international for a few of these.
Despite the name, Comrades is no marathon. It's about 56 miles on the road between Pietermaritzburg and Durban, and it switches direction each year between an "up" run and a "down" run. It started in 1921, making it the oldest and largest ultramarathon in the world, with tens of thousands of runners and crowds lining the route. The 2027 race is the Centenary edition.
How to get in: you need a qualifying marathon in under 5 hours. Entries for 2027 already closed in September 2026, so if it's on your list, plan for 2028. Register →
3. CCC (Italy, Switzerland and France)
- Where: Courmayeur, Italy → Champex, Switzerland → Chamonix, France
- When: Late August, during UTMB week
- Distance: ~100 km (~62 miles)
- Climbing: ~6,100 m (~20,000 ft)
- Cutoff: 26.5 hours
Why it's on my list: CCC runs during UTMB week, on the same trails around Mont Blanc, so it's basically a precursor to running UTMB, my #1 bucket list 100-miler.
CCC stands for Courmayeur–Champex–Chamonix: three countries in one race. It climbs over the Grand Col Ferret and finishes in Chamonix to the same huge crowds as UTMB. It's a little longer than 50 miles, but it belongs on this list.
How to get in: earn Running Stones by finishing UTMB World Series races, then enter the lottery. Register →
2. Lavaredo 80K (Dolomites, Italy)
- Where: Auronzo di Cadore to Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy
- When: June (June 26 in 2027)
- Distance: 80 km (~50 miles)
- Climbing: ~4,600 m (~15,100 ft)
- Cutoff: 22 hours
Why it's on my list: the Dolomites are probably the number one place I want to travel, and the pictures from this race look insane.
The Lavaredo Ultra Trail runs past the famous Tre Cime di Lavaredo, three giant rock towers that are one of the most photographed sights in the Alps, and finishes in Cortina. The 80K is a true 50-miler.
How to get in: Lavaredo is part of the UTMB World Series, so finishing it also earns Running Stones toward CCC and UTMB. Two bucket list races in one. Register →
1. Rim to Rim to Rim (Grand Canyon, Arizona)
- Where: Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
- When: Best in spring or fall
- Distance: ~42 miles (South Kaibab) to ~46 miles (Bright Angel)
- Climbing: ~10,700–11,000 ft
- Cutoff: None. It's not a race.
Why it's #1: it's right here in our own backyard in the United States, it's an incredibly hard challenge, and it's the most beautiful run I've ever done.
Rim to Rim to Rim (R2R2R) isn't an organized race. You run from one rim of the Grand Canyon down to the Colorado River, up to the opposite rim, then turn around and do it all again. You drop about a mile in elevation and climb out of the canyon twice.
Doing it as a group is what makes it special. Some of the most I've ever grown has come from shared suffering with a great group of people, and R2R2R is exactly that.
If you're going to do it
- Permits: no permit is needed for a solo or small private group doing it in a day. Organized groups need a Special Use Permit, and camping in the canyon needs a backcountry permit.
- Go in spring or fall. Summer heat at the bottom of the canyon is dangerous.
- Plan your water. Water along the trails changes season to season. In 2026 the North Rim had no water at all. Check the park's current trail and water status before you go, and carry a way to treat water.
- Start early with a headlamp, and save plenty for the final climb out. It's the hardest part.
Which one is on your list?
Most of these races require you to qualify or build up to them, and a 50-miler is a great stepping stone to your first 100. Here's the complete guide to running your first 100-mile race, and how to find an ultramarathon near you.
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
How long is Grand Canyon Rim to Rim to Rim?
About 42 miles via the South Kaibab and North Kaibab trails, or about 46 miles via Bright Angel, with roughly 10,700–11,000 feet of climbing.
Do you need a permit to run Rim to Rim to Rim?
Not for a solo or small private group doing it in a day. Organized groups need a Special Use Permit, and camping in the canyon needs a backcountry permit.
What's the oldest ultramarathon in the US?
The JFK 50 Mile in Maryland, first run in 1963.
How long is Comrades?
About 90 km (roughly 56 miles) between Pietermaritzburg and Durban, with a 12-hour cutoff.
Does the Lavaredo 80K earn UTMB Running Stones?
Yes. It's a UTMB World Series race, so finishing earns Running Stones toward the CCC and UTMB lotteries.