The Ultra Race of Champions (UROC) has found a home in Auburn, CA for the 2016 event. Because of the beauty of the 100K course winding through the Auburn State Recreation Area, a course which reflects the race’s mission and goals, because of the support from the Auburn community and the Town of Auburn, the race committee and Elite Advisory Council have decided to host UROC again in Auburn in 2016.
The race will take place on September 24th, 2016 and will offer three options for runners, the 100K, 50K and a 25K. Registration will open onDecember 1st, 2015 at 8:00am PST at www.ultraroc.com. With a mixed terrain course, designed to challenge everyone but favor no one single athlete, UROC brings together the best long distance runners in the world, while remaining open to everyone.
“The Auburn course perfectly reflects our mission to create a Championship for the sport of ultra distance running, where competitors with different abilities, specialties and strengths can challenge themselves and compete with others on a level playing field” says James Russell Gill III, UROC’s creator and race director. “We aim to attract the best long distance runners in the World, independently of their backgrounds. We wanted to find a course that would allow the best mountain runner to go head to head with the road 100K World Champion and we have found that course in Auburn. In addition to that, I cannot say enough about the positive support from the Auburn community and township. Auburn Running Company and NorCalUltras have been instrumental in introducing the community to the event and to help us bring it together. Everyone here lives and breathes trail running”.
The Elite Advisory Council, comprised of Anna Frost, Dave Mackey, Geoff Roes, Ian Sharman, Michael Wardian and Devon Yanko, have been instrumental in the event since its conception. “Auburn is an iconic location for ultra running with huge support from the local community” says Ian Sharman. “The storied trails are world famous so it’s great that the Ultra Race of Champions will stay in this location to tap into this history”. As a part of its mission to create the Championship for the sport and support the athletes, UROC will again offer a $21,500 cash purse in 2016.
UROC’s Ambassadors Ken Michal and Catra Corbett, who competed in 2015, are excited to come back in 2016. “We love seeing the ultra running community keeping true to its roots” says Dr. Francesca Conte, Bad to the Bone Sports President. “Every year, elite runners compete along side runners of all experience and backgrounds, a feature unique to the sport of ultra running. Ken and Catra are the perfect representation of this culture”. “I’m excited to be a part UROC 2016 as an ambassador and equally thrilled that it is going to be back in Auburn” says Ken Michal, UROC’s Ambassador. “As a participant in 2015, I really enjoyed running the course which not only highlighted many iconic trails and locations like No Hands Bridge and the super tough K2, but also showcased some areas that many events don’t use. The course had a little bit of everything (fast and fun single track, tough climbs, long-bombing hills) with beautiful scenery and was difficult enough to make it a true challenge. It was a lot of fun seeing the community of Auburn embrace the event and I had a great time spending my weekend during the race and time spent training in town”. “I loved how UROC used trails that most of us had never run before: I was amazed at the beauty of the venue” says Catra Corbett. “The trail was a challenge even for seasoned runners like us and one of the best features of the race was the start and finish location in the heart of Downtown Auburn”.
Registration will open at www.ultraroc.com on December 1st, 2015 at 8:00am PST. For more information, please contact Dr. Francesca Conte at (434) 218-0402 or francesca@badtothebone.biz
About the Ultra Race of Champions: The mission of the Ultra Race of Champions is to create the Championship for the sport of ultra distance running. Elite runners are invited based on the recommendation of the Ultra Race of Champions Elite Advisory Council and their performances at key events in the sport all over the world. The UROC Elite Advisory Council includes some of the best ultra runners from around the World: Geoff Roes, Dave Mackey, Michael Wardian, Devon Yanko, Ian Sharman and Anna Frost. Best of the Best, One Course, One Day. For more information, visit www.ultraroc.com or find it on social media on Facebook at “Ultra Race of Champions” or on Twitter #UROCUltraRace, #BeAChampion.
About Bad to the Bone Sports: By directing premiere road and trail events all over the United States, Bad to the Bone Endurance Sports strives to motivate runners of all backgrounds to challenge themselves. For over 13 years, Bad to the Bone Endurance Sports events have reflected owners James Russell Gill III and Dr. Francesca Conte decades-long knowledge and passion for running. www.badtothebone.biz
About Auburn, California: The City of Auburn is considered one of the best places to live in Northern California and the “Endurance Capital of the World”. It’s bordered by the beautiful American River Canyon and nestled in the western foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Located at the crossroads of I-80 and historic Highway 49, Auburn is the county seat of Placer County. The City encompasses approximately 7.5 square miles and has a population of 12,800. Situated at elevations between 1,000 and 1,400 feet, the surroundings offer an awesome seasonal change. Thanks to its spectacular network of trails by and near the American River, Auburn is home to many endurance events every year. www.auburn.ca.gov
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