Ultramarathon Trail Running in North Park: The Neversummer 100k

It’s a clear summer afternoon in the mountains and a sharp blue sky frames a craggy mountain peak through the pines. The only sounds you hear are the beating of your own heart and every breath you draw as the trail unfolds with every stride you take. This isn’t a scene from a movie, but what runners of the Neversummer 100k experience on any length of a 65 mile course that winds its way through the State Forest State Park near Gould, CO.

Not only is North Park known for its stunning mountain vistas, but in recent years it has become a draw for extreme athletes pitting themselves against the elements as well as their own personal records.  For the last ten years, North Park has been a destination for a rare breed of athlete within the running community: the ultramarathon trail runner. 

What is the Neversummer 100k?

When many visitors come to North Park in the summertime, they usually have plans to fish gold medal waters like Delaney Lakes, the North Platte River, or to hike and explore our backcountry wilderness. The Neversummer 100k introduces participants to another facet of North Park. One which is much less forgiving and certainly not for the faint of heart.

The Neversummer 100k started 10 years ago as a way for ultramarathon trail runners to experience the beautiful backcountry and mountain crags of the Colorado State Forest State Park near Gould, CO. Since its opening year in 2014, the Neversummer 100k has grown to over 300 runners for both 60k and 100k events. 

The Neversummer 100k is one of five qualifying races for the Western States Endurance Run, which is essentially the ultramarathon runner’s equivalent to the Boston Marathon. The athletes running this course are far from weekend warriors. Many of them have conditioned their bodies to withstand the rigors of long distances, combined with the challenges of extreme variations in altitude.

They come from all around the United States, as well as many countries throughout the world to compete in this race. Most of us haven’t run since being told to take a lap in high school gym class, but these racers hit the trails to condition their bodies to take on the nearly unimaginable distances and terrain ultramarathon trail running can throw at them. 312 spots are open for the 60k and 312 are open for the 100k. Every year the event has consistently sold out.

On a weekend in late July, the campgrounds and hotels of North Park fill up to accommodate not only the hundreds of racers competing in either the 60k and 100k races (and sometimes both!), but also their families and friends who have come to support them.

How It Got Started and How It’s Going

Founder and trail runner Nick Clark, of Ft. Collins, CO, collaborated with Colorado Parks and Wildlife in this concept to create an ultramarathon throughout the wilds of the Neversummer and Medicine Bow Mountains. He said he had run through the area before, after having organized and run races around Horsetooth Reservoir. The Neversummer trail system was an entirely different level and he wanted to be a part of something incredible.

The course itself was created with an idea to link defunct logging roads, existing hiking trail systems, and even game trails above timberline to create a course long enough to accommodate some of the most extreme athletes you will come across. Over the last ten years, maintenance and upkeep of the course has improved, creating a more sophisticated network of trails and pathways to run than in the early years.

The course loops throughout the Gould and State Forest State Park area, connecting points familiar to visitors of North Park, such as Kelly Lake, Montgomery Pass, Diamond Peak, the Michigan Ditch, and finishing at the Gould Community Center. Runners experience a cumulative elevation gain of around 14,000 ft as the trail rises and falls up the sides of mountains and back down again, past pristine lakes, thick pine forests, and hardscrabble dirt pathways. 

Runners have 15 hours to complete the 60k race and 24 hours to complete the 60k race. Though it isn’t common for these athletes to take the entire time to complete the race, time limits at various checkpoints ensure points of egress in case they might not be making time.  At every checkpoint the racers are accounted for by volunteers so that no one is lost along the course.

Hazards of Running the Trails

In spite of the extremes in elevation, the difficulty of terrain, and the limits of the human body, serious injuries are surprisingly low. Slipping and falling along the track is to be expected, as are injuries such as abrasions and falls. But so far very few serious injuries have happened in the last ten years of the race’s history.

Nick Clark and his team of volunteers work aid stations throughout the course for both 60k and 100k races. At every aid station is a certified paramedic who has volunteered to keep an eye on the health and safety of the runners as they run the trails. Aside from some scrapes and bruises from the occasional fall, the biggest threat to runner safety is usually altitude sickness.

So far, Nick Clark says that even though about 75-80% of competitors finish the race, the majority of those who drop out do so as a result of altitude sickness or fatigue. Imagine the difficulty some visitors to the Colorado high country have just coming over a mountain pass, and combine that with running over 60 miles in a 24 hour period.

Altitude Sickness and Other Dangers

Many runners who participate that come from lower altitudes acclimatize themselves for a week or more at altitude before attempting the race. Extreme long-distance runners are usually familiar with keeping an eye on the symptoms of dehydration, fatigue, and other injuries, but altitude sickness, especially at an average altitude of 10,000ft above sea level, can have the potential to be life-threatening, especially during serious athletic activity.

Altitude sickness is a serious condition in which the body struggles with oxygen depletion at high altitudes. It occurs when the body hasn’t had enough time to produce more red blood cells to carry oxygen to the brain and other vital organs. It can result in increased blood pressure, nausea, elevated heart rate, and even loss of consciousness. In extreme cases, as the body struggles with lack of oxygen, the condition can cause stroke and may even be fatal.

Even if you aren’t running an ultra at high altitude, you should be aware of any symptoms of altitude sickness you might encounter when visiting the Colorado high country. Usually getting to lower altitudes will help. Here are some other ways to make yourself comfortable at high elevations:

• Stay hydrated: At altitude you will become dehydrated quicker, which can intensify symptoms of altitude sickness.
• Use caffeine in moderation: Though caffeine can help with altitude sickness, it can also contribute to dehydration.
• Limit alcohol consumption: Alcohol also intensifies symptoms of altitude sickness since it limits oxygen absorption in the brain and increases dehydration.
• Use OTC painkiller: Headache can be treated with Ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Use only as directed or with a doctor’s recommendation, especially if you have a medical condition. Remember too that these over the counter painkillers can also increase dehydration.
• Get to lower altitudes: Dropping in altitude can help your body increase oxygen intake.
• Use bottled oxygen: You can help symptoms with canned oxygen, available in many local businesses
• Give yourself time: It generally takes about two weeks to increase your red blood cell count to acclimate yourself to higher altitudes.
• Call 911: If you are experiencing symptoms of acute altitude sickness, call EMS at 911.

All Kinds of Help Along the Way

At aid stations, runners who are concerned with how they are coping with the altitude have the option to end the race or be brought down by volunteers or EMS to lower altitudes for treatment. Volunteers like Jordan and Melinda had come from Fort Collins to help with the race. Their job was to record the times and numbers of each racer as they crossed the checkpoint at Ruby Jewel Aid Station. Jordan had been coming to the races since the very beginning and wouldn’t miss a year if she could help it.

Aid stations not only have hydration stations, food for the runners, and a medic to check on the health of the runners, but they are also gathering places for supporters of most of the racers. For every runner an average of three supporters come to watch the race. According to rangers at Colorado State Forest State Park, the weekend of July 26-28 in 2024 saw over 1200 visitors to the Park. The vast majority of which had come for the Neversummer 100k races. Many of the rest flood the vacation rentals and hotels of North Park for the weekend, sometimes staying for several days to enjoy what Jackson County has to offer.

Moral Support

A wide range of supporters hike to the Ruby Jewel aid station, about three miles up from the trailhead hiked their way to cheer on their runners. Families with small children, fellow trail runners, and everyone in-between brought folding chairs, blankets, and even goody bags for their runners. 

More than a few trail runners who were either sitting out the race due to injury or training for other races ran segments of the trail with their friends to show support. Jeff and Courtney were two runners who had completed the 60k the day before and had set up lawn chairs and ate chips and salsa as runners of the 100k passed by, cheering them on and encouraging them to the next aid station.

What Drives These Racers

Most of us hit a place in our lives when we don’t even like to get up from the couch to look for a remote control. We might ask ourselves what would possess someone to run the distance between Walden and Laramie, WY in a single day, much less over craggy mountain tops and forests in the middle of summer. 

When asked why they put their bodies through this kind of punishment, trail runners usually just shrug and say it’s just something they love doing. It seems to be less meditative than you would think. When asked if their minds become clear and they enter some sort of zen trance, most runners say there’s an element of that, but moreso their minds wander as they pass the time. They think of what might be bothering them at work or with family. They tend to work out problems as their body navigates the trail ahead.

Sitting out a rolled ankle injury from a race in Telluride, CO, Laurel, a supporter from Boulder talked about the importance of personal goals. She said that runners are here to “dig as deep as they can to find their next limit.” Laurel said it's not even that elusive runner's high that brings her back. It's the challenge of setting her personal best and breaking it.

Many trail runners say that their attraction to races such as these are their need to be out in nature. They also appreciate the vibe of these events and being around other runners who want to challenge their personal records. Runners are surprisingly laid back, and you will be hard pressed to find a trail runner—even on the trail—without a smile on their face. 

Racers in North Park

The Gould Community has come together to offer hospitality and support for this race. Many residents of Jackson County might not realize that one of the five most prestigious ultramarathon trail races has been happening every year right in their own backyard. The Neversummer 100k isn’t the only race to have found a place in North Park. 

Throughout the summer, you might see signs alongside the highways and backroads that warn of “Runners on Road.” Several bike and foot race events have come to North Park.  Not only do the cool summer days and quiet country roads lend themselves to a safer and less hectic experience, our mountain scenery and off-the-beaten-path locales simply cannot be beat. Racing is a four season passtime in North Park. Dog sled racers and nordic skiers share many of the same legs of this course in the wintertime.

Whatever time of year you plan to visit North Park, be sure to check ahead for lodging and other accommodations. Space is limited and has been known to fill up quickly. The Neversummer 100k isn’t the only ultramarathon in North Park. Throughout the summer other races can be found on the highways and backroads of Jackson County.

Some people might call them crazy, but what ultramarathon runners do is nothing short of a superpower. If you would like to learn more about the Neversummer 100k races, please visit the GNARRunners website. 

So Much More to See!

A visit to North Park is almost always surprising. Jackson county has some of the most accessible and unforgettable outdoors experiences you will encounter in Colorado. But we have a lot more to offer than just hunting, fishing, and rural charm. Check out our Instagram and follow us on Facebook for future articles, photography, and ideas to fuel your next Colorado adventure.