Never Summer 100k Ultramarathon Returns to North Park: A Perfect Weekend to Run a Whole Lot of Miles

Have you ever been amazed at just how far humans can push themselves to the physical limits? Sometimes it seems like it defies all physical possibilities, but every day people are approaching the absolute apex of their physical abilities—and some of them are doing it just for fun. If you have ever been curious about extreme athleticism, look no further than your new favorite place, North Park! 

Ultramarathon runners are hitting the 100 kilometer (about 60 miles) mark all the time these days. But they aren’t doing it on a flat track, some of them are doing this at altitude, trail running the crests and forests of the Colorado Rocky Mountains. 

What is the Never Summer 100k?

GNAR Runners, based in Ft. Collins, CO, has been tackling the ridgeline of the Never Summer Mountains and the Medicine Bow Range of Colorado State Forest State Park for the last decade and don’t seem to show any signs of slowing down. Not just a handful of these super-athletes come to compete either. Over 300 runners from all around North America and beyond have been participating in the Never Summer 100k for the last 12 years. 

Neversummer 100k is one of five qualifying races for the Western States Endurance Run, which is essentially the ultramarathon runner’s equivalent to the Boston Marathon. Runners pay an entry fee of upwards of $400 just to compete in this race. They take their sport seriously, but still know how to have a great time doing it.

When: July 24-26th, 2026

Where: Colorado State Forest State Park, Gould, CO. 

Admission is free, but parking is limited. A State Parks Pass is required to enter the Colorado State Forest State Park. The start and finish line are at the Gould Community Center, which will probably be the easiest places to spot runners. 

Checkpoints and aid stations are often remote or require some strenuous hiking to reach at altitude. Road conditions throughout the State Forest State Park vary. For more remote checkpoints you will probably want a high profile vehicle. Either way, keep your speed slow and keep an eye out for runners on the roads!

A Grueling Course

Founder Nick Clark of Fort Collins, CO first put together the idea of the Never Summer 100k by scouting out the Colorado State Forest State Park, where he had done trail running for years. Through connecting sections of reclaimed logging roads and trails, the founders were able to cobble together a network of suitable trails with extreme elevation gains, incredible views, and challenging terrain. As a qualifying race for the Western States Endurance Run, the Never Summer 100k is also one of the most challenging ultramarathons in the western US.

The start and finish line of the race is at the Gould Community Center on HWY 14 in the village of Gould, CO. Gould has worn many hats over the years. From its history as a mining and woodcutting town to a POW camp during WWII and now a lot more to do with access to public lands, it has become a quiet, tight-knit community, serving mostly as a gateway to outdoor recreation in the area.

Gould is one of the best areas in North Park for moose sightings and other wildlife viewing. All that scenery is instrumental in helping the miles just melt away. Runners face more challenges than just putting a lot of miles behind them, however. The 100k race has over 14,000 feet of cumulative elevation gain, with much of the race taking place at around 10,000ft. Above sea level.

At that altitude, many people struggle to function and face problems such as altitude sickness, cognition problems, and even cardiovascular distress. The most common injury among runners are symptoms of altitude sickness and dehydration, which can overcome people not used to the elevation. 

Many runners begin to acclimatize themselves a few weeks before the race, spending time in North Park to allow their bodies to create enough red blood cells to withstand the thin air. Some runners have already had a chance to try out sections of the course and assist in some trail maintenance a few weeks before the main event.

Falls, scratches, pulled muscles and sprains are the most common injuries runners contend with, however. The alpine terrain is rugged and challenging, with some sections of the course cutting across moraine fields of granite and single track dirt trails in the pine forests.

Weather also poses a challenge, with extreme heat and cold often present throughout the day. The old saying of “if you don’t like the weather, wait ten minutes” is critical in the high country. North Park is no stranger to summer lightning storms, hail, and even snow in the middle of July.

Each checkpoint throughout the course is ready with a staff of medical professionals ready to respond to any emergency. Race organizers stay in touch with radios and a system of check-ins to keep track of racers. Medical teams at every checkpoint constantly check with runners on their condition. The majority of those who don’t finish are due to problems coping with the altitude.

Two Ultras in One Weekend

The Never Summer 100k isn’t just one race. It’s two! A 60k and 100k race are both run during the weekend. Runners have 15 hours to complete the 60k and 24 hours to complete the 100k run. 

Time limits for each checkpoint help runners determine whether or not they will be able to complete the course within the time window. They have the option to end the race at any given time during the race, usually at the checkpoints. Most runners complete the ultra, which isn’t too much of a surprise considering these athletes are constantly training for these kinds of races.

At various aid stations throughout the course, you’ll see friends and family waiting with care packages and cheering them on as they hit the check points. The sense of community among runners is one of the most profound parts to witness about these races. Every runner competes for their own reasons, which can be something as simple as they just love to run, or an individual competition to beat whatever their personal best is from race to race.

Places to Stay on Your Visit

For runners, support, and volunteers, local accommodations are available in the area. The Powderhorn Cabins in Gould offer RV hookups, tent camping, and of course rustic cabins. Also nearby visitors to North Park can find accommodations at Yonder Yurts within the Colorado State Forest State Park. If you don’t mind a scenic drive of around 20 miles to Rand, you can also find a place to stay at the Old Homestead, just on the other side of Owl Mountain. 

North Park offers a wide range of accommodations, but please keep in mind that space is limited and rooms fill up quickly. Flexibility can make all the difference with a selection of RV Parks, as VRBO or AirBnB vacations rentals in Walden, CO, and even Lake John Resort, making up the brunt of places to stay in Jackson County.

Places to Eat on Your Trip

Closest to the event, participants and spectators alike will find incredible Mexican food at the Howling Coyote Mexican Restaurant, now under new management by our friends at the Powderhorn Cabins. Besides a full menu of authentic Mexican cuisine, visitors will find a welcoming environment with a full bar and an extensive menu ranging from beef dishes to seafood.

Just 22 miles down the road on the Cache la Pouder-North Park Scenic Byway, Walden, CO has most of the restaurants in North Park, with an assortment of places to choose, from Mexican food truck to American sit down, to bistro-style breakfast and lunch. The new Zirkel Mountain Pies on Main Street in Walden, CO offers a lot of menu items, from gyros and hot sandwiches to pizza, salads, and even desserts! They’ve also got pool tables, air hockey, and axe throwing!

Welcome Back to North Park, Ultramarathoners!

The Never Summer 100k is one of those well-kept secrets that we hope our visitors find out about when searching for experiences off the beaten path in Colorado. Even if you aren’t a trail runner or ultramarathon enthusiast there is no denying the talent and ability that comes with such an undertaking. And what better place to experience it than here! 

Thank you to GNAR Runners for choosing our little corner of the Rocky Mountains to test the strength and talent of their runners. We hope to see them for many years to come!

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