Burning Man Ultramarathon

Race completed

50 km Distance

not publishedn/a Climbing

2.5 est Grit · Entry level

Calculated from 50 km alone — the organiser has not published an elevation profile. Read 2.5 as a floor, not a verdict.

35.0884° N, 108.7912° W © OpenFreeMap © OpenMapTiles Data from OpenStreetMap

What the course asks

Field size ~223 Large. Rarely out of sight of another runner.

DUV results for the 2025 edition (50km) — finishers only. Starters are not published, so the field was at least this big and no finish rate can be given.

Typical conditions, August

Daytime high 28°C

Night low 14°C

Rainfall Mostly dry

Daylight 13 h 11 m of light

Regional 2001-2020 average for August — NASA POWER, grid elevation 2120 m. Not a forecast.

Results history

Year	Race	Finishers	Men's winner	Women's winner
2025	50km	223	Ryan Forsyth · 03:16:46	Riley Irwin · 04:43:40
2024	50km	212	Luke Masefield · 03:29:40	Kay Hodgins · 03:55:55
2023	50km	249	Alex Ferber · 03:44:55	Julie Kheyfets · 04:24:51
2022	50km	221	Gregory Billington · 03:13:58	Sofia Donnecke · 04:26:49
2019	50km	213	Tyler Jones · 03:18:22	Kay Hodgins · 03:59:26
2018	50km	205	Tyler Jones · 03:06:30	Christina Case · 04:13:10
2017	50km	130	Tyler Jones · 03:23:03	Kathy D'Onofrio · 04:32:04
2016	50km	153	Matt Collins · 03:24:03	Christine Mosley · 04:32:57
2015	50km	158	Andrew Utas · 03:42:00	Kay Hodgins · 04:08:00
2014	50km	149	Andrew Utas · 03:38:34	Kathy D'Onofrio · 04:09:45

The field grew 5% between 2024 (212) and 2025 (223). 33% of the 2025 field were women.

DUV results for the 2025 edition (50km) — finishers only. Starters are not published, so the field was at least this big and no finish rate can be given.

The Aid Station

Course-specific beta from the community

👟 gear

With trail terrain, choose a shoe with moderate cushioning for optimal performance.

By UltraHub Expert

Gear for this race

Chosen for 50 km of trail.

Trail Running Shoes 50 km of trail — cushioning that is still there in the last quarter.
Race Nutrition 50 km of self-supported fuelling between aid stations.
Hydration Vests Flask capacity for 50 km, without the bounce.
GPS Watches Battery life first — a 50 km day outlasts most full-GPS modes.

Brooks

Catamount 3

RunRepeat found the Brooks Catamount 3 to have a cozier upper that enhances the overall fit, though breathability and durability could be better. iRunFar noted…

★★★★★ 4.5

Adidas

Terrex Speed Ultra

RunRepeat found the Adidas Terrex Speed Ultra to have a grippy outsole and great lockdown, while iRunFar noted that the shoe works on a variety of trail conditi…

★★★★★ 4.5

Maurten