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 at the fabulous post-race barbecue with your choice grilled to order and beer from our great sponsor Avery Brewing. 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 9:00am. Utilize St. Elizabeth’s parking for short-term needs.

Please help reduce traffic in Buffalo Creek and ease parking by carpooling.

Pacers are not allowed, however family/friends may run in to the finish with their runner for the final mile. Crew support only allowed at designated areas on the course.

Drop bags will be available at Buffalo AS.

Each runner will receive a colored silicone bracelet, matching the color of the course markings they are to follow. The bracelet must be worn throughout the race to aid runners, staff & volunteers with course navigation.
50K – BLUE bracelet
50M – ORANGE bracelet (will be exchanged for a BLUE bracelet at second visit to Buffalo Aid Station)

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.

The Walking Taco 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 and seltzer from Avery Brewing, Bing Energy, and various soft drinks and water will be on ice for you to enjoy with your Walking Tacos. Crew and spectators may purchase a meal from The Walking Taco. Cash only. https://www.thewalkingtaco.com

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
• Age group awards will be given to top 3 male and female in each age group