2026 Shippey Endurance Runs 100 Race Report

Cold, Hills, and Redemption

After a DNF at mile 60 in 2025 due to a foot injury, I was determined to go back and get that buckle. We started at the traditional 6 am time with the temperature at ~11 degrees. I knew it was not going to warm up and only progressively get colder throughout the race. There were flurries for the first 4 hours, but the trail maintained good integrity and was easy to run on. The course is a design of 5 legs comprising a 20-mile loop with 5 loops total. Each year, the course changes direction, and since this even year it was counterclockwise. There are 2 aid stations which are hit repeatedly on the loop, and as you leave each of these buildings, the next leg begins with a climb.

Even Year (Counterclockwise direction) Legs

Leg 1 – Starts with climbing in the first 1.5 miles, and then you hit a runnable section before descending back down to the start/finish aid station (Emerson).

Leg 2 – Beings on the same trailhead, but then quickly turned left up a steep hill to a ridge. This was one of the tougher climbs. Again, there were runnable sections as you follow the trail to Sverup aid station. At the end of the trail before exiting off the trail head is a creek crossing. Fortunately, it was dry this year, so no wet feel like we had in 2025. It’s a short run to the aid station from the creek.

Leg 3 – You leave Sverup aid station the same way you came in and run single track to the power line. This is the longest climb on the course, but not the steepest. It’s also the shortest leg of the loop. More single track brings you back to Sverup aid station.

Leg 4 – Leaving Sverup you have a small climb to start the leg. This leg has the greatest amount of ascending and descending, so it is a slower leg, but the climbs are not as steep. You return to Sverup for the final time on the loop.

Leg 5 – For the final leg, it is a small climb from the aid station to the paved road. After a very short time on the road, you turn and begin a steep climb to a ridge. This climb starts on pine needles which quickly turn into small loose rocks. This was one of the more challenging climbs. You do get rewarded with some nice runnable single track and them smaller climbs and descents where you weave your way around on a ridge for one final steep descent to a small section of large rocks. Once here, you have just under a mile to the timing mat. This last mile of the loop is some of the most technical with rocks and roots, but little elevation change. Once you exit the trailhead, you can smell the start/finish aid station (Emerson), and it’s a short run on the road and across a grassy field to the finish chute adorned with welcoming Christmas lights.

Rinse, Repeat 4 more times

For the first 60 miles, I felt great and was moving well. My nutrition was consistent, and I was directly on pace (under 15 hours for 61 miles) for my end goal time. Once the night really set in, temps quickly dropped to 2 degrees where it stayed for the remainder of my race. My bottle would repeatedly freeze which was impacting my hydration and electrolytes in between aid stations, so I had to take in more each time I stopped. At mile 71, I needed to change my layers to accommodate the colder temperatures, especially on the ridges where the wind cut through me. 4:00-5:00 am was by far the coldest. I used face coverings to try and keep my breath as warm as possible, but these would freeze and cause my glasses to fog up. As I had to move the covering up and down, I couldn’t help but inhale the cold air which eventually impacted my lungs. On the last loop, it was so difficult to take in a deep breath, that I could not run to power hike the hills at the speed I wanted. I came to accept that I would be walking most of the loop and that I need to just keep moving. I focused on getting to each station and summiting each climb. I was so grateful to see that section of rocks at the end of the loop, knowing I was on the home stretch. Once I hit the grass and saw the arch, I ran through the chute across the timing mat, relieved to be done and ready to get warm. I finished 3rd female with a time of 30:21.

This is a great local race with fantastic aid stations and volunteers, not to mention plenty of swag. The course is well-marked, and the trails are well cared for. I highly recommend it if you enjoy a hilly course and unpredictable winter weather.