Standhope Ultra Challenge

Event overview

The Standhope Ultra Challenge is a trail running event held July 24–26, 2026 in the Pioneer Mountain range near Ketchum, Idaho. The event offers remote, high-altitude courses with technical trails, steep grades, and aid stations that are hiked in. Organizers note that weather in the mountains can change quickly and that there will be no early starts for 2026. All finishers receive a handcrafted award.

Race distances and logistics

• 100 Mile: Backcountry route with over 23,000 feet of climbing across remote wilderness trails; climbs in the event reach up to 11,000 feet. There is no qualifying requirement for 2026, and the course has long stretches between aid stations.
• 60K: Alpine course covering 37.2 miles with about 9,000 feet of elevation gain, high ridgelines, and mountain lakes.
• 30K: Covers the second half of the 60K course, with over 4,300 feet of climbing, an average of about 325 feet of gain per mile, and an expected finish window of roughly 4–6 hours.

A shuttle service is offered for the 30K and 60K and requires a separate ticket; shuttle tickets must be purchased by July 17 to secure a ride. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.