2026 Grandmaster Ultras

The Grandmaster Ultras 2026 will take place on February 27, 2026, in Mesquite, Nevada, with events continuing through March 1, 2026. The event is held at 501 Hillside Dr, Mesquite, NV 89027, near the Arizona Strip, on a trail and mixed-terrain course that includes ATV trails, rocky sections, dirt roads, and a tunnel. Participants can expect a challenging course that features elevation changes, with the 100 Mile and 100 Kilometer races having a 48-hour cutoff, and the 50 Mile and 50 Kilometer races having a 24-hour cutoff. The event is exclusively for runners aged 50 to 99 years old. Mesquite is expected to have mild to warm weather in February, with daytime temperatures ranging from 50°F to 65°F and nighttime temperatures dropping to around 35°F to 45°F. The course is designed as a 50K out-and-back loop with a clockwise "Thelma Louise" loop, offering a mix of desert scenery and technical terrain.

What is the Grandmaster Ultras 2026?

The Grandmaster Ultras 2026 is a long-distance running event specifically for runners aged 50 to 99 years old, taking place in Mesquite, Nevada. The event features multiple distance options, including 100 Mile, 100 Kilometer, 50 Mile, and 50 Kilometer races. The course is set on a trail and mixed-errain layout, including rocky ATV trails, dirt roads, and a tunnel. The event runs from February 27, 2026, to March 1, 2026, with race start times beginning on Friday and Saturday.

What distances are available for this event?

• →100 Miler
• →100 Kilometer
• →50 Miler
• →50 Kilometer

What is the age requirement for participation?

The event is exclusively for runners aged 50 to 99 years old.

What are the registration dates and times?

Registration for the event opens on May 4th, 2025, and closes at 11:59 PM PST the day before each specific race start. Participants are encouraged to register early to secure their spot.

How much does registration cost?

• →100 Miler: $295
• →100 Kilometer: $265
• →50 Miler: $190
• →50 Kilometer: $170

What are the race start times?

The 100 Mile and 100 Kilometer races start on Friday, February 27, at 7:00 AM PST (or 8:00 AM MST as noted in the description). The 50 Mile and 50 Kilometer races start on Saturday, February 28, at 7:00 AM PST (or 8:00 AM MST as noted in the description). Participants should confirm the final start time with the race director.

What are the race cutoff times?

• →100 Mile and 100 Kilometer: 48-hour cutoff
• →50 Mile and 50 Kilometer: 24-hour cutoff

What is the course layout for the event?

The course is based on a 50K out-and-back loop featuring a clockwise "Thelma Louise" loop. It includes a mix of terrain types such as rocky ATV trails, dirt roads, and a tunnel. The course has elevation changes, with a minimum elevation of 1,722 feet and a maximum elevation of 2,605 feet.

What is the elevation gain and loss for each distance?

• →50K: 1,580 feet
• →50 Mile: 2,450 feet

What is the distance breakdown for each race?

• →50K: Runs the main 50K course once (approximately 31 miles)
• →100K: Runs the 50K course twice
• →50 Mile: Runs the Thelma Louise loop twice before returning to start/finish
• →100 Mile: Runs the 50 Mile course twice

What are the key course highlights and turn-by-turn details?

• →Start: Begin downhill, enter a tunnel at mile 0.6
• →Early Climb: At mile 1, turn right up a short steep hill; at mile 1.5, take the left fork to reach Oasis Aid Station at mile 1.9
• →ATV Sections: From Oasis, 4 miles of rocky ATV trail lead to Cross Roads Water Stop at mile 6.2; continue to Junction Aid Station at mile 9.8
• →Mid-Course: From Junction, head toward Stateline, follow power lines, and navigate turns to reach the Water Stop at mile 13.8 and Cattle Gate Aid Station at mile 17.2
• →Thelma and Louise Site: From Cattle Gate, follow the fence line to reach the Thelma and Louise site at mile 19
• →Overlook: Navigate turns at the water tank and dirt road to climb to the Overlook Aid Station at mile 23.7
• →Loop Decision: From Overlook, 50M/100M runners turn RIGHT to repeat the Thelma Louise Loop; 50K/100K runners turn LEFT toward the unmanned Oasis station to head back to the start/finish via the tunnel

What are the aid stations along the course?

Aid stations are spaced approximately every 4 to 7 miles. Crew access is available at specific stations, and pacer entry points are required at crew-accessed aid stations.

What are the key aid stations for the 50 Mile and 100 Mile races?

• →Cross Roads Water Stop: Miles 6.2 & 24.7
• →Junction: Miles 9.8 & 28.3
• →Water Stop: Miles 14 & 32.7
• →Cattle Gate: Miles 17.2 & 36
• →Overlook: Miles 23.7 & 42.6
• →Cross Roads Water Stop: Mile 43.6
• →Start/Finish: Mile 50

What are the key aid stations for the 50K and 100K races?

• →Cross Roads Water Stop: Mile 6.2
• →Junction: Mile 9.8
• →Water Stop: Mile 14
• →Cattle Gate: Mile 17.2
• →Overlook: Mile 23.7
• →Cross Roads Water Stop: Mile 24.7
• →Start/Finish: Mile 31

What are the pacer and crew rules for the event?

Pacers are generally restricted to later stages of the race for safety and fairness. For the 100 Mile and 100K races, pacers are allowed on the 2nd lap or after 6:30 PM from a crew-accessed aid station. For the 50 Mile and 50K races, pacers are allowed only if the runner is finishing in the dark from a crew-accessed aid station. Runners over 70 years old are allowed pacers from the start for all distances. Pacers must begin at a crew-accessible aid station.

What additional course resources are available?

Course maps are available via Google Maps and Google Earth links on the race website. Garmin Connect profiles are also provided for the 50 Mile and 50K courses. The start/finish coordinates are Lat 36.8272085438359, Long -113.997853251625.

What is the expected weather for the event?

Mesquite is expected to have mild to warm weather in February, with daytime temperatures ranging from 50°F to 65°F and nighttime temperatures dropping to around 35°F to 45°F. Participants should prepare for variable conditions and dress appropriately.