Race Report: Niagara Ultra 50K June 21,2025
My first 50K and I had a couple goals in place. One, finish the new distance, two, an ‘A’ race goal of 4:40 or about 9 min/mile.
I’ll try to keep it short and split it up into the race itself and my race experience.
Fees were very reasonable to me, I registered early and after the US/CAN conversion paid ~ $125 for a beautiful medal, a very nice hoodie, and an epic race with great support.
The organization seemed very good to me, packet pickup the day before was quick and easy, with people on hand answering any questions and making sure you knew the where and when. There was also morning bib pickup if needed.
The start was at Kinsman Scout Hall in Niagara on the Lake and parking could have used a bit more capacity but there were people helping direct and in the end I only had to walk about 100 yards to the start. And only needed to show up about a half hour beforehand.
It was a 6 AM start for the 50K with later starts for the full, half, and 10K all sharing the same course with different u-turn spots as all four races are an out and back on the same path.
The course was marked decently with small flags and volunteers pointing runners in the right direction. It is on open public paths but crowding was never an issue.
Aid stations were at exactly every 5K, I would have liked closer toward the end of the race, but it was nice since I fuel ~ every 3 miles. Each had fantastic support with water, Gatorade, Coke, cookies, chips, m&ms, and salt tabs.
At the finish line you were announced as you crossed with one person draping your medal around your neck as another was handing you a water. Then it was as much pizza and beer as desired, all included with the race. There were even massage therapists and free 10 minute sessions.
As far as the course itself, this is the most scenic I have run, just wow! A fairly straight out and back with I’d say over 90% along the gorge/river through parks with a mix of sun/shade. There’s a small bit of side street connecting the start area to what I’d call the main path and a decent hill from mile 7 to 8 but you get to go down it later. Another hill down around mile 14 was a bit harder on the way back, but I’d consider it a flat course with just a couple hills over that distance.
The 50K is by far the best, as the U-turn is at the crest of Niagara Falls.
Some pics I grabbed on the way back, I slowed and needed some breaks, and was happy to enjoy where I was running.
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So how did it play out? I’ll go straight to the spoiler and keep it short - I finished standing up… barely.
I had my plan and knew the weather was not in my favor. I figured my 4:40 goal was still reasonable and knew they was no way to even split that as temps climbed so decided on 2:15 for the first half and 2:25 for the second. That would average out to almost a full minute/mile slower than my marathon best, so I set out along that line with my usual run 4 min/walk 30 sec. I felt great up to the hill, slowed a bit to save myself, and pushed it after to head to the turn around with near perfection, hitting the half way at 2:16, meeting my wife for a quick break, and heading back. Again saved some energy on the uphill leaving the falls, and thought I was still in good shape. Well as the temps and the sun climbed higher, that feeling went away. A couple mistakes were made, one - I kept pushing even though I knew I needed to slow, two - I realized post race that I missed taking a gel twice somehow post mile 20. I wasn’t aware at the time but looking back I guess my mind was zoned out and I paid for it dearly. My goal was gone for sure but I was in good shape still to finish strong at mile 25. By mile 28 that changed, it was 80* with a dew point of 67* and my body was having a hard time understanding why I was still running. By mile 29 I was actually worried and if I had one complaint, I’d say I think there should have been medical bikes on course toward the end. I was dizzy and staggered to a tree for a five minute break, but I did recover. Mile 30 was my worst taking 22 minutes, looking back at my splits, the last 5K took 50 minutes, but I did manage to smile crossing the finish which means the day was a success.
In the end crossed in 5:44, I would definitely consider this one again but for now anything longer is off my list, or at least anything in June. Never say never though, we’ve all learned that.
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