The North For 50K is 100% trails, mainly single track and some double track, in the beautiful Buffalo Creek Recreation Area in the Pike National Forest, starting and finishing along lovely Buffalo Creek in Buffalo Creek, Colorado, in the mountains about 50 miles southwest of Denver. This is a pure ultra, a very special and unique race, deliberately kept small so each runner gets personal attention. There are no non-ultra distances and no crowds on the beautiful trails. Celebrate your accomplishment with an entree from a local food truck.g. Proceeds of the race benefit the North Fork Volunteer Fire Department, which protects this scenic area and for whom the race is named, ProjectPurple.org, and Conifer's StageDoor Theatre.

The course is one loop for 50K.  The course is mostly in lovely pine forest, but it also includes parts of the areas burned in the 1996 Buffalo Creek fire, which the North Fork Fire Department helped to fight. The fire created a stark and fascinating landscape and opened up breathtaking views of the high mountains and unique rock formations. The altitude is 6,700 to 8,100 feet with about 3,800 feet of climb. Although the course is very challenging for those who do not regularly run mountain trails, speedsters used to altitude will find the course quite runnable. And the friendly aid stations, beautiful scenery and liberal time cutoffs make North Fork an excellent choice for a first trail ultramarathon.

Adjacent to the Start/Finish with overflow & spectator parking at St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church. Spectators following their runners should utilize the St. Elizabeth parking prior to race start. IMPORTANT— Vehicles will not be allowed to exit Start/Finish parking prior to 8:00am. Utilize St. Elizabeth’s parking for short-term needs.

Please help reduce traffic in Buffalo Creek and ease parking by carpooling, thank you!

NOTE: Shinglemill & Buffalo Creek aid stations are very limited in parking. Please try to arrive near the time you are expecting your runner and never block a roadway where an emergency vehicle is unable to get through.

Crews are allowed at the following aid stations:

Shinglemill  - Limited Parking. No parking allowed on Redskin Creek Rd
Buffalo Creek - Limited parking. Additional three parking areas available further up Redskin Creek Rd

Runners receiving crew support outside of these areas are subject penalties up to and including  disqualification if deemed appropriate by race officials.

Pacers are not allowed, however family/friends may run in to the finish with their runner for the final mile along Buffalo Creek Rd.

Drop bags will be available at Buffalo Aid.

Aravaipa uses orange and black polka-dot ribbons and orange pin flags with the Aravaipa Running logo on them for our "correct" way markings. In areas where night-time running is possible, the ribbons will have a reflective medallion attached to the ribbon.

Signs that say 50K will be placed at critical junctions as well.

If you see a blue and white checkered ribbon, that is the wrong way- do not continue this way and locate the nearest orange and black ribbon to return to the designated course.

NOTE: It is your responsibility to follow the designated course, in the order that has been laid out by the race officials. We do our best to make this "easy" to follow throughout your day.  ALWAYS take the extra second at a trail junction to make sure you are heading the right direction on YOUR course.

Food and drinks will be available for all race participants and volunteers to enjoy while relaxing on the “Bippy” deck, or cheering in other runners as they cross the finish line.

Food Truck Avenue will be providing this year’s post-race meal offering a limited selection from their delicious menu to include gluten-free, and vegetarian options. Runners receive a free meal and must show bib and race bracelet. Volunteers will also receive a free meal by showing their yellow bracelet.

Beer, seltzer, Bing Energy, and various soft drinks and water will be on ice for you to enjoy with your meal. Crew and spectators may purchase a meal as well (cash recommended, but CC also accepted).

Awards Food and Drink Post Race
All finishers completing their registered course will receive a commemorative award recognizing their accomplishment.

Special awards will be given for
• Top 3 male and female finishers in each distance