Never Summer 100K

Overall score 3.2Good
Thin evidence3 sources#43 of 71 ultras

Gould, Colorado · 106 km (65.7 mi) · 4,420 m (14,500 ft) gain

Race day Sat 31 Jul 2027

Website (opens in a new tab)

Is it right for you?

Footing
Technical1.9
Climbing
Hilly1.7
Overall cutoff
Normal2.9
Intermediate cutoffs
Reasonable3.0
Crew access
Some points3.0
First timer friendly
Demanding2.4

Footing and climbing are course traits: 5 is the smoother, flatter end, not a better race.

Watch out: The advertised 100K currently measures 65.7 mi (105.7 km). All 5

Held back by stay and travel (2.4) and conditions (2.7).

Best for

Provisional: based on 3 sources. Why

Ran it? Your rating helps.

Score breakdown

Every score is out of 5, and 5 is always the better end.

Each bar is a range of 0.25 points; the light bar holds this race. The average race scores 3.4.

What does this score mean?

Why runners love it

  • Three distance-matched historical runners praise the mountain setting and community.
  • Historical aid volunteers receive consistent praise.

Watch out for

  • The advertised 100K currently measures 65.7 mi (105.7 km).
  • The detailed schedule retains 2026 dates; reconfirm 2027 cutoffs.
  • Prepare for altitude, technical ground, water crossings and rapid weather changes.
  • The published opening aid gap is 11.4 mi (18.3 km).
  • The 2021 review describes a flood-rerouted course.

Latest or next race

Sat 31 Jul 2027

Official race site(gnarrunners.com, opens in a new tab)
Climbing
4,420 m (14,500 ft)
Cutoff
24 hours
Pace needed
21:54 per mi (13:36 per km)

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What runners say

Overall score 3.2 out of 5

3 reviews and race reports

Tone of the reviews and race reports

  • Positive3
  • Mixed0
  • Negative0

3 reviews

  • Bucky Love

    Raced 2021 · Team Run Run athlete report

    Tone: Positive

    The runner finished the flood-rerouted edition in 18:42 and awarded four stars. He valued friendly runners, aid and adaptable organization, but struggled with altitude and changing conditions. The altered route omitted scenic ridges; his experience cannot establish unchanged current routing. The publisher sells coaching.

    Covers Support, Course, Conditions, Cutoffs, Stay and travel

    Read on teamrunrun.com (Team Run Run athlete report, opens in a new tab)

  • Matt Urbanski

    Raced 2019 · Team Run Run coach report

    Tone: Positive

    The historical finisher loved the scenery, community and aid, while describing technical terrain, wet feet, mud and an avoidable wrong turn. He valued camping near the start but found the location remote. His coaching affiliation is disclosed; current support rules and route length may differ.

    Covers Support, Course, Conditions, Cutoffs, Stay and travel

    Read on teamrunrun.com (Team Run Run coach report, opens in a new tab)

  • Lynn K Hall

    Raced 2015 · Lynn K Hall athlete blog

    Tone: Positive

    The final finisher completed the historical edition with eleven minutes remaining and valued companionship, pacers, drop bags and the finish welcome. Technical trails, mud, heat and a cold night made the day exceptionally hard. Her historical distance and ascent are not current official measurements.

    Covers Support, Course, Conditions, Cutoffs

    Read on lynnkhall.com (Lynn K Hall athlete blog, opens in a new tab)
Ran Never Summer 100K? Rate it

Pick a score, then tell the next runner about the footing, cutoffs and aid stations.

Scores

Open a category for its ratings and the evidence behind them.

Very good. How runners feel about it, how well it is run, and the community around it. Counts for 25% of the overall score.

Toughness for its distance: Extreme

  • Runner satisfactionLoved4.2

    Three historical runners valued the challenge and their finishes despite substantial difficulties. · Low confidence

  • OrganizationWell run4.2

    Reports praise organized aid, course adaptation and the final-finisher welcome; current details still need reconfirmation. · Low confidence

  • Community and vibeLegendary4.5

    All three historical runners describe strong camaraderie, helpful people and a welcoming atmosphere. · Low confidence

Very good. Aid stations, crew access, drop bags and pacer rules. Counts for 25% of the overall score.

  • Aid stationsGood3.9

    Historical volunteers and food receive praise, while the published opening supply gap is long. · Low confidence

  • Crew accessSome points3.0

    Access is limited to designated stations, including hike-in stops. · Low confidence

  • Drop bagsMany stations3.8

    Several published support locations permit bags; historical runners relied on them for dry clothing and personal food. · Low confidence

  • PacersLate race2.8

    Standard pacers begin late at Canadian; an older-runner exception starts earlier. · Low confidence

Good. Course marking, scenery, and how runners rate the trail itself. Counts for 15% of the overall score.

  • Course markingMostly clear3.1

    Historical runners needed close attention at night; one missed a clearly marked turn. · Low confidence

  • ScenerySpectacular4.6

    All accounts value mountain scenery, even the flood-rerouted edition. · Low confidence

  • Trail experienceGreat3.7

    Alpine variety appeals, while mud, wet feet and rough trail create prolonged discomfort. · Low confidence

Course traits, not part of the score

  • FootingTechnical1.9

    Historical runners describe boulders, rough descents, mud and repeated water crossings. · Low confidence

  • RunnabilityMixed2.6

    Steep and technical sections interrupt running, though later roads offer faster terrain. · Low confidence

  • ClimbingHilly1.7

    Climbs 221 ft per mi (42 m per km), from the recorded elevation gain. · High confidence

Good. Race-day temperature and how predictable the weather is. Counts for 14% of the overall score.

  • Race-day temperatureWarm or cold2.6

    Historical accounts describe heat, wet feet and cold-night exposure. · Low confidence

  • Weather reliabilityUnsettled2.2

    Historical weather included flash-flood rerouting, storms, mud and snow. · Low confidence

Course traits, not part of the score

  • AltitudeElevated1.7

    Current high point is 3613 m (11,852 ft), with much running at high elevation. · Low confidence

Good. How generous the overall and intermediate cutoffs are for the terrain. Counts for 13% of the overall score.

  • Overall cutoffNormal2.9

    A historical final finisher had eleven minutes remaining after a full day on difficult terrain. · Low confidence

  • Intermediate cutoffsReasonable3.0

    Several binding intermediate checks are published; final 2027 details require confirmation. · Low confidence

Not part of the score

  • First timer friendlyDemanding2.4

    High elevation, rough terrain and remote supply gaps demand prior preparation and experience. · Low confidence

  • Getting inUsually open3.8

    Open registration is announced, while historical sellouts do not establish current demand. · Low confidence

Below par. Getting there, places to stay, race-day logistics and value. Counts for 8% of the overall score.

  • Travel easeAwkward2.4

    Historical runners describe a remote venue and limited services. · Low confidence

  • Places to stayBook early2.9

    Start-area camping helped historical runners, while nearby hotels were limited. · Low confidence

  • LogisticsSome complexity2.8

    Remote travel, weak cell service, gear preparation and crew hikes add planning demands. · Low confidence

Course

Route, 106 km (65.7 mi)

One big loop

Surface
Mixed
Climbing
4,420 m (14,500 ft)
Climb rate
Mountain, 42 m per km (221 ft per mi)
High point
3,613 m (11,850 ft)
Crossings
Many
Night
Most runners run through one night
Start
05:30

Cutoffs and aid

Overall cutoff
24 hours
Pace needed
21:54 per mi (13:36 per km)
Longest gap
18 km (11 mi)
Drop bags
Some stations
Crew access
Some points
Pacers
Allowed after Canadian

Getting in

Entry
Open

Checkpoint cutoffs

Published detailed chart retains 2026 schedule dates. These five intermediate checks are the latest readable published values; reconfirm all 2027 times before relying on them.

CheckpointCutoff
Summit: 22.9 mi (36.9 km), published 2026 schedule37 km (23 mi)13:45 local; 8:15 elapsed
Ruby Jewel: 31.6 mi (50.9 km), published 2026 schedule51 km (32 mi)16:30 local; 11:00 elapsed
Clear Lake 2: 45.3 mi (72.9 km), published 2026 schedule73 km (45 mi)22:45 local; 17:15 elapsed
Canadian: 51.5 mi (82.9 km), published 2026 schedule83 km (51 mi)01:00 next day local; 19:30 elapsed
Bockman: 57.4 mi (92.4 km), published 2026 schedule92 km (57 mi)03:00 next day local; 21:30 elapsed

Footing, aid and entry notes in full

Getting there and staying

Where to stay
Historical runners used camping near the start and described limited nearby hotels. Current availability is unverified.

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Key facts

Checked against the 2027 announcement; detailed schedule retains 2026 dates edition on the official race site. Rules change, so confirm before you enter.

Location
Gould, Colorado, United States
Region
Mountain West
Typical month
July
Surface
Mountain trail and dirt roads, with boulder fields, mud and water crossings. The advertised 100K route is currently 65.7 mi (105.7 km).
Aid and crew
Published initial aid gap 11.4 mi (18.3 km). Crew is restricted to designated stops; some require hiking. Standard pacers begin Canadian 51.5 mi (82.9 km); over 60 exception begins Ruby Jewel. Reconfirm 2027 details.
Mandatory gear
Jacket, warm headwear, gloves, whistle, light and at least 1 L (34 US fl oz) water capacity; reconfirm final list.
Weather
Historical reports describe hot sun, rain, storms, cold nights and muddy or snowy ground. Conditions are not forecasts.

Sources

Pages we used for facts and ratings. See how we rate ultras.

Training for Never Summer 100K? Moku Coach builds your plan around race day.