The legendary Elkhorn Crest is back for 2026! Tackle this rugged course with an average elevation above 7,200 ft, relentless climbs, technical descents, and panoramic vistas of Baker Valley that make every mile unforgettable. Due to the remote mountain environment participants must have completed a trail ultramarathon before race day. While you may register before meeting this requirement, it must be fulfilled before the event. Elkhorn Crest is an advanced level race, remote, and demanding, requiring the ability to handle technical terrain and remain self-reliant for long periods.
The Elkhorn Crest 50 will take you along the Elkhorn Mountain ridgeline across sub-alpine forests and grasslands. The trail offers panoramic views of Baker Valley, the Wallowas, and the Blue Mountains. The race has an average elevation of over 7200ft, making it a one-of-a-kind ultra in Oregon. 10,500 ft of climbing and almost 11,000 ft of loss is packed into 53 miles. The course is a mix of smooth single track as well as rocky, technical sections. While the Elkhorn Crest Trail has minimal elevation change, there are sustained climbs and descents as you veer off the Crest Trail. The event is cupless to minimize waste.
The Elkhorn Crest 50K will start in the old mining town of Bourne Oregon following the same route as the 53 Miler, but continuing on to the finish after Aid Station 3. With a nice climb to/from the crest, a trip out to Lost Lake, a loop around Summit lake, this 50K will not disappoint! There is roughly 6500 ft of elevation gain and 7100 ft of loss.
Due to the mountain environment, the following gear must be carried by every runner at all times during the race (no exceptions): Ability to carry 1.5liters of fluid, jacket (i.e. Houdini), emergency blanket, headlamp with extra batteries.
No transfers to another runner. If you cancel your registration 30 days prior to the race, you will receive 50% credit towards next year's race. There is no refund if you cancel less than 30 days before the race. In the event Alpine Running is forced to cancel a race for any reason and the event can not be feasibly rescheduled, refunds/race credits/rollovers will not be given. This includes, but not limited to, COVID-19, wildfires, air quality, natural disasters, permitting agency closures, etc. Your dollars go to the Baker City high school cross country/track team, which is the beneficiary of this event. Please refer to our website for more information: https://www.alpinerunning.co/policies
Aug 08, 2026
Distance — 80.5K
Type — Running
05:30
$225.00
Aug 08, 2026
Distance — 50K
Type — Running
07:00
$180.00
These values represent the 3-year monthly averages for August in Sumpter.
Learn more about the host city, Sumpter.
Sumpter is a city in Baker County, Oregon, United States. The population was 204 at the 2020 census. Sumpter is named after Fort Sumter by its founders. The name was inspired by a rock as smooth and round as a cannonball, which reminded a local resident of the American Civil War and Fort Sumter.
Read more launchAll-time top performances and historical records for Elkhorn Crest 50.
| Place | Name | Year | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇 | Ryan Kaiser | '21 | 8:53:07 | |
| 🥈 | Matt Palilla | '20 | 9:00:07 | |
| 🥉 | Ryan Kaiser | '19 | 9:12:45 | |
| 4 | Duncan Hoge | '17 | 9:13:50 | |
| 5 | Kody Shriver | '21 | 9:34:04 | |
| 6 | James Holk | '17 | 9:45:55 | |
| 7 | Rod Bien | '17 | 10:01:56 | |
| 8 | Zachary Van Abbema | '20 | 10:14:30 | |
| 9 | Kedric Osborne | '20 | 10:15:02 | |
| 10 | Brandon Slokowski | '19 | 10:18:08 |
Read what other athletes have to say about their experience at the Elkhorn Crest 50.
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