Ultra X Nevada is a multi-stage ultra marathon that takes place over five days in the Red Rock Conservation Area and Spring Mountain Recreation Area – the mountain range that rises like an island out of the Mojave Desert to the west of Las Vegas.
If you thought you knew Vegas, think again. Just outside the flash and lights of The Strip and Fremont Street lie some of the most diverse and beautiful terrain in America, with elevations rising thousands of metres above the desert basin below and spectacular views to accompany them.
Participants will explore the incredible diversity from alpine views and evergreen forests to the low desert basins with cactus and coloured rocks.
Each day from Monday to Friday involves one stage, which will commence between 05:00 and 07:00 and range between 35km and 61km. There are checkpoints stationed approximately 10km apart where competitors can access water, shelter, and if necessary medical support. Each night competitors will camp in locations chosen to showcase the very best of the local area, where they can enjoy osteopathy/physiotherapy treatment, medical care and hot water.
The route has been carefully crafted by the race organisers to showcase everything Nevada has to offer – from alpine views and pine trees to low desert basins and coloured rocks, and from altitudes as high as approximately 2,500 meters (8,200 feet) down to roughly 1,000 meters (3,300 feet).
The first two stages are set in the higher altitudes of the Spring Mountain Recreation Area. Runners are then transported south on Wednesday morning for the next three stages that take them into the Red Rock Conservation Area.
Each stage will involve a certain amount of road running that will be necessary in order to connect up various sections of beautiful trail and ensure distances are achieved.
An Ultra X race is the ultimate test of preparation. A participant who has planned and trained well will be a successful one. It is just as important that participants calculate their water, electrolyte and food requirements, as it is their pacing during this five-day adventure.
This is not a self-supported race. Participants only need to carry their daily provisions of mandatory safety equipment, nutrition, and hydration. Race holdalls are transported between campsites by the organisers and water is resupplied at checkpoints approximately 10km apart. However, weight management is still crucial and runners are advised to only bring items which are essential to their health and comfort.
Ultra X welcomes both runners and walkers. All participants will likely be doing a combination of the two in order to get to the finish line, which is the most important thing.
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