Events: Wild Wild West Marahton Ultra

Tuttle Creek Campground
First Staurday every May

Considered one of the toughest trail run in USA the race goes through some of the most beautiful scenery. There is a 50K, a marathon, a 10 mile and a 3 mile fun run and they all start at the Tuttle Creek Campground. As the United State’s third oldest trail marathon behind Pikes Peak and Catalina Island, the Wild Wild West Marathon features a challenging point to point course starting in the foothill outside of Lone Pine, California (220 miles east of Los Angles) and traversing the eastern Sierra foothills. A favorite among ultra runners, the route includes several steady climbs and moderate declines at altitudes between 3700 and 6600 feet. Despite the hills, elevation, and typical heat (90° by high noon), the spectacular scenery may be worth the discomfort. Striking vistas, the snow-capped eastern Sierras, and the expansive Owens Valley are just a few of the sights along the way. In fact, the area should look familiar to you. This is the site for many Western movies from Roy Rogers in the 1930s to James Garner and Mel Gibson (Maverick) in the 1990s. The race enjoys a cult-like following as most of the nearing 500 (whether looking good, bad, or ugly at the finish), return the following year. The point to point course starts at the Tuttle Creek Campground (about 5000 feet) and includes about 5500+/- feet of up and down and a few creek crossings. The first third of the course runs mostly uphill on fairly steep jeep roads and trails contouring and climbing to the highest point at 6600 feet at the intersection of Whitney Portal Road and Hogback Road (8.5 miles). A long, winding 9-mile descent on a wide graded dirt road leads to the north end of the famed Alabama Hills. Winding and rolling Movie Flat road takes runners southbound through this unique geological formation of huge rounded oblong rocks. Around mile 20 the marathon and ultra split course. The final miles for both the marathon and ultra have a moderate elevation gain on a single track trail followed by a 5 mile descent. Many wildflowers, including red Indian Paintbrush, lavender Lupine and Mojave Asters, and yellow Desert Dandelions, bloom along the course. Also, don’t be surprised if you see bear, Tule elk, deer, badger, raccoons, coyotes, skunks, and numerous native birds or rattlesnakes.

Call Lone Pine Chamber of Commerce 760-876-4444

visit website: lonepinechamber.org