Save the date: May 18, 2024

The Bishop Ultras are known far and wide as challenging, high quality races, with great scenery, abundant well-stocked aid stations with ultra runner volunteers, a fun community of ‘repeat offenders’, and a pleasant finish line scene. As in the past, distances include a 20 mile “fun run”, a 53k, a 50 miler and a 100k. In 2019 we added a 6k, a great option for kids, or those who have a runner out on the other courses, or if you don’t want to run so far. The 6k starts after the other distances. 

6k Really Fun Run

We added this race in 2019, to give kids and waiting friends/family something to do while their runner is out on the longer course. This distance starts at 7am and is an out and back to the Tungsten City Aid Station with a bit over 400′ of gain. You can sign up on race day, it’s $10.00.  (No t-shirt). 

20 Mile Fun Run

This is a great late spring exploration of the Tungsten Hills and lower Buttermilk area. Many people choose to walk this distance, and why not – on your way you will be supported by six full aid stations and you have 19 hours to finish!  2,800′ of elevation gain, and, ok, it’s just a bit longer than 20 miles. 

53k

A tough 50+k, with 5,160′ of climbing (pretty much one big hill), the course follows the 50 miler and 100k up into the Upper Buttermilk Country, through aspens and pines, turning around at the Edison Aid Station. 10 fully stocked aid stations will help you get it done!

50 Mile

In the beginning, before low drop shoes and race vests, and when racer t shirts will still cotton, there was the Bishop High Sierra 50 miler… It’s not an easy 50, with 8,800′ of climbing, but it has wide open views to the High Sierra, great terrain, and 16 well stocked aid stations to support you. 

100k

Take the 50 miler and add a 12 mile out and back and you’ve got a tough 100k course. 19 aid stations will help you get it done.

Please see the races page for much more detail on these distances.

These are high altitude races, with lots of climbing, in the scenic foothills of the Eastern Sierra Nevada, above the small town of Bishop. The course is mainly run on 4 wheel drive dirt roads, with a couple of sections of single-track trail, and very short sections of pavement. There are very few trees, thus the race is exposed, often hot, usually dry, sometimes rocky, and mostly high! Much of the 100k and 50 mile courses are above 7000′ in altitude. These races are the perfect training opportunity for upcoming mountain trail 100 mile events.

The weather can range from cold to hot, dry to snowing, breezy to very windy. We have experienced all weather types, but usually we can expect fine, sunny weather, with afternoon breezes and high temps for the second half of the day. Temperatures usually range from high 40’s at the start to 90’s in the late afternoon, and then cooling in the evening.

Our aid stations are at 3 – 7 mile intervals, and are famous for variety of food and drinks available, not just “standard race fare”, particularly as the race progresses. We have small first aid kits at each, with foot care and the usual supplies. Consistent with recent trends, pain relief meds will not be dispensed. There are usually nurses and EMTs at aid stations, especially the stations later in the course, with a Search and Rescue unit available as well, but let’s hope we don’t need that as Inyo SAR is operating one of the aid stations! Runners are tracked by our local Ham Radio club, who maintains radio contact with the finish line.

Speaking of the finish line – there we have a wonderful post-race buffet with an assortment of hot food and snacks, cold drinks and and lots of “munchies” and real food as well.

Race awards will be provided to winners in each race distance, by gender. Custom coffee mugs commemorating the race are for sale for $30. There are only 30 of them and they are available on a first come, first served basis.

Beneficiaries

The race is a production of the Eastern Sierra non-profit Eastern Sierra Interpretive Association (ESIA) and is offered as a benefit for their Eastern Sierra Youth Outdoor Program and Inyo County Search and Rescue. Partnering with the National Forests for over 45 years, ESIA is a non-profit organization with a mission to educate and inspire people about the Eastern Sierra public lands through high quality interpretive products and programs.

The Eastern Sierra Youth Outdoor Program is a free outdoor program for youth from the area ages 12 – 18 and is taught by professional outdoor educators. The program offers rock climbing, backpacking, team-building and related skills in a six day adventure. The races are the primary funding source. 

The races also make a donation to Inyo County Search and Rescue, an all-volunteer team of highly skilled individuals. Inyo SAR engages in roughly 50 missions a year. 

Please support our sponsors:

Bishop Ultras is produced and operated by the Eastern Sierra Interpretive Association (ESIA) as a non-profit fund raiser. ESIA is a non profit. The races are conducted with permits from these land managers: Inyo National Forest, Bureau of Land Management, LADWP, Inyo County Parks, and Caltrans. In accordance with common decency and respect, Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, Bishop Ultras and ESIA are prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identification, or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.”