2023 RUNNING GOALS | RACE CALENDAR

At the end of 2022 I had some time to reflect on the past year as well as what my running goals would be moving forward, and not just for 2023. As a result, I came up with two massive lifetime running goals.
First BHAG: Run an official 100 mile or longer event in every US state. So far, I'd covered 11 by the end of the year: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont
I would love to get recommendations for 100 milers in states that I haven't run in, yet. What are your favorites? Let me know in the comments, please.
The second BHAG, to run a total of one hundred 100 milers.
My 2023 race plan reflects these massive new goals. My focus has shifted away from running a bunch of 50Ks and instead try to complete a "few" 100 milers towards my new lifetime goals.
This is probably my most ambitious race calendar since 2019, when I completed the Western Slam of Ultrarunning, the Grand Slam of Ultrarunning and the Last Great Race of Ultrarunning all over the course of one short summer. But this time around, I am giving myself permission to fail. Do I want to finish them all, YES, will I do it at ALL cost? NO.
So, here are my current plans with a couple of races still depending on lotteries or registrations:
The Shippey 100 Mile Endurance Run (High Ridge, MO) - January
Mountain Mist 50K (Huntsville, AL) - January
Forgotten Florida 100M (Christmas, FL) - February
Tick Ridge Trek 25K (Elkton, TN) - February
Black Canyon 100K (Mayer, AZ) - February
Prairie Spirit Trail 100M (Ottawa, KS) - March
Zane Grey 100K (Pine, AZ) - April
Canyons Endurance Runs 100M (Auburn, CA) - April
Massanutten Mountain Trails 100M (Fort Valley, VA) - May
Summer Spine 268M (The Pennine Way, UK) - June
Cascade Crest 100M (Easton, WA) - July
Crazy Mountain 100M (Lennep, MT) - July
Tor des Geants 330K (Courmayeur, Italy) - September LOTTERY
Barkley Fall Classic 50K (Frozen Head, TN) - September
Grindstone 100M (Swoope, VA) - September
No Business 100M (Jamestown, TN) - October
Puerto Vallarta Mexico by UTMB Nakawe 50K (Puerto Vallarta, Mexico) - November
Pine Mountain 40M (Pine Mountain, GA) - December
Yes, I am fully aware that this is probably a bad idea, but I'm gonna give it an honest try.

[@gregandsusanhouston497]

This is a great way to learn about races. I really look forward to your Black Canyons 100K race!

[@ultrakraut]

Click this link kzbin.info/www/bejne/iF65ZpJsZp56hac to check out my Black Canyon race video.

[@danielgrant8289]

Go get it man! Absolute beast mode! Maybe I'll see you at No Business!

[@ultrakraut]

Thanks, sounds good!

[@danieljstad]

Keep it up,

[@ultrakraut]

Thank you, I will

[@susanbitner1103]

Potawatomi in IL is amazing.

[@ultrakraut]

I will check it out!

[@runningwithsimon]

Nice - I'd love to do The Last Great Races someday - but it seems statistically so unlikely... Anyhow, I'm also doing a bunch of 100 milers (15 in the last 15 months) - also posting them on my youtube channel - here's a few that may or may not be on your radar. Some I've done, others I've heard good things LA - Loup Garou (I prefer mountain race but that was pretty cool in the swamp) MA - Midstate Massive (harder than it seems) NV - Jackpot Ultras (seems to be popular amongst 100 x 100 milers - I think there were 4-5 of them) WY - Bighorn 100 (high on my list) MT - Crazy Mountain 100 (same, high on my list) HI - HURT (obviously...not sure there is anything else?) RI - Anchor Down Ultra 24hrs (same, not sure there is much else) OH - Burning River (and the others from the midwest slam might cover a few of the missing states like MI, IN and WI I think) IL - Tunnel Hill (practical that it's in Nov because not much else)

[@ultrakraut]

Yeah, some of these are on my radar or I'm already registered. The Last Great Race only became a goal once I got into WSER. It still required some luck and a couple of politely written requests to ensure I could toe the line at all of the races.

[@kevinjoest2738]

Good luck with your races this year! I'd suggest running the Shawnee hills trail races 100m in Illinois. It's a beautiful course, you'd get to see it 3 times!

[@ultrakraut]

I'm adding it to my list for consideration, thanks very much!

[@Michael-jb7jc]

Woodstock 100 Michigan

[@ultrakraut]

Will look into this one, haven’t heard of it.

[@kylemassey3198]

Mississippi is having its first official 100 the first Saturday in March near Laurel at the MS 50.

[@ultrakraut]

It's on my short list for next year.

[@jaredmuse5432]

1. Excited to watch you do these races this year. 2. Oklahoma races Outlaw 100. Super technical not much running Pumpkin Holler Hunnerd. Pretty much all runnable 3. I wish you would talk more. How you feel, what and how much you are eating. Pace. Stuff like that.

[@ultrakraut]

Thanks! I saw the Outlaw and almost signed up. TBH, I'm a fan of single loop, out & back and point to point races rather than multiple loops, so I will usually opt for those types of courses when given the choice. I need to look into Pumpkin Holler. And here I thought I talk too much:-) Check out my Lookout Mountain 50 and my most recent Shippey 100 Miler race videos. I talk a lot about my pace and mental and physical deterioration. Thanks for the reminder, I will try to add more info about my nutrition successes and failures, etc.

[@SchmittsPeter]

A hell of a plan - good luck.

[@ultrakraut]

Thank you!

[@brianderouen2411]

Come on out to West Virginia to run the Rim to River 100 in early November 2024!

[@ultrakraut]

That one has been on my radar!

[@BrendanOHara617]

Midstate Massive 100 in MA (the course also touches NH, CT, and RI). Jigger Johnson 100 mi in NH (UTMB qualifier, 2nd year for the race, first year for the 100 mile distance).

[@ultrakraut]

I had not heard of either one, thanks so much! I will add them to my list, looking forward to researching them.

[@pdgamember]

Look at mines of Spain 100 in Dubuque Iowa

[@ultrakraut]

Heard of this one, looking forward to finding out more!

[@pamelaannehowell]

Are you doing the tour of giants in Courmayeur? Tomorrow?

[@ultrakraut]

I did, hope everything went well and as expected for your son!

[@seekingUltraNick]

The Hitchcock Experience is an awesome 100 miler in Iowa… and December! Check it out, I’ll run it with ya. I did the 50 miler last year.

[@ultrakraut]

I will consider it for sure!

[@futbolman15]

If you're just counting No Business as Tennessee, even though it crosses into KY for a good chunk of the race, then there is the Warhammer 100 that runs in June. It's in Kentucky on the Sheltowee Trace. And I'll see you at NB100. I'm also headed back for the double buckle.

[@ultrakraut]

NB100 will have to wait. I tried to sign up 30 minutes after it opened and it as full. I will wait 2 years to try again for that 200 mile buckle.

[@brandonrager8919]

Technically you’ve done Kentucky as well lol. No business. I live in Kentucky and the only 100 that I’m seeing at the moment is this new one called the Herzog or something like that. Brand new. The other 100s have been discontinued

[@brandonrager8919]

Also, you mentioned that you want to do No Business in CC this year. I believe it’s Clockwise in 2023 correct? I’m signed up for it as well and reading their documentation it should be clockwise. Super excited for you!!!

[@ultrakraut]

I've had this convo with friends, there are actually multiple races I did that crossed statelines, but I set myself a rule that the official start line determines the official location of the race. What about War Hammer 100, is that no longer happening? I will check out Herzog.

[@brandonrager8919]

I’ve been checking in on War hammer cuz I want to do it this year but their website isn’t showing any info to sign up right now.

[@Michael-jb7jc]

Mohican 100 in Ohio

[@ultrakraut]

Definitely doing that one, so much history!