Promise Land 50K++

Race completed

50 km Distance

2,500 m Climbing

6.3 Grit · Hardcore

37.3343° N, 79.5231° W © OpenFreeMap © OpenMapTiles Data from OpenStreetMap

What the course asks

Climbing rate 50 m / km Mountain. Significant climbing. Steep sections will require power hiking.

Time limit 10 hours 12:00 min/km average. Generous. Walkable throughout for most of the field. About average for a 50K. Measured against 1034 races of the same distance. Cut-off calculator →

Field size ~343 Large. Rarely out of sight of another runner.

DUV results for the 2026 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, April

Daytime high 19°C

Night low 6°C

Rainfall Showers likely

Daylight 13 h 29 m of light

Regional 2001-2020 average for April — NASA POWER, grid elevation 363 m. Not a forecast.

Results history

Year	Race	Finishers	Men's winner	Women's winner
2026	50km	343	Luke Tighe · 04:34:44	Sawyer Magnett · 05:22:26
2025	50km	299	Luke Tighe · 04:39:52	Deanna Doane · 05:47:42
2024	50km	295	Aaron Slabach · 04:46:50	Sawyer Magnett · 05:25:17
2023	50km	306	Michael Owen · 04:55:53	Sawyer Magnett · 04:58:34
2022	50km	297	Michael Owen · 04:52:16	Jennifer Fleming · 05:30:10
2021	50km	302	Michael Owen · 04:42:43	Sarah Biehl · 05:03:30
2019	50km	287	Michael Owen · 04:46:20	Laura Sullivan · 05:55:03
2018	50km	272	Brian Rusiecki · 04:38:34	Amy Rusiecki · 05:46:24
2017	50km	304	Michael Owen · 04:31:16	Rian Landers-Ramos · 05:48:25
2016	50km	304	Darren Thomas · 04:40:47	Bethany Patterson · 05:26:22

The field grew 15% between 2025 (299) and 2026 (343). 28% of the 2026 field were women.

DUV results for the 2026 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

⛰️ terrain

This is a mountain course. Poles are highly recommended for the sustained climbs.

By UltraHub Expert

👟 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 with 2,500 m of ascent.

Trail Running Shoes 50 m of climb per kilometre — grip and rock protection before cushioning.
Race Nutrition 50 km of self-supported fuelling between aid stations.
Hydration Vests Pole attachment and chest-strap stability on steep ground.
Trekking Poles 2,500 m of ascent to walk up.
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

La Sportiva

Prodigio Pro

RunRepeat found the La Sportiva Prodigio Pro to have a secure, locked-in fit due to its premium upper, and also praised the shoe's energetic ride, particularly…

$225 ★★★★★ 4.6

Skratch Labs