Big mountain ridgelines, high-alpine lakes, and a finish-line party under the pines
Overview
Elkhorn Crest is a blue-sky, big-views kind of day. You’ll ride the spine of Oregon’s Elkhorn Mountains on classic singletrack, dip to sapphire lakes, and climb back to windswept ridges where mountain goats roam. It is rugged, remote, and ridiculously beautiful. This is the race Alpine Running loves most for a reason. The 53M packs serious vertical and technical bite, and the 50K keeps the spirit high with stout climbs, a Lost Lake out-and-back, and a raucous descent to Sumpter. Expect well-run logistics, a cupless ethos, and a finish-line vibe worth sticking around for.
Saturday, July 25, 2026
Registration
Opens
Sep 8, 2025, 6:00 AM
Registration Fee
$180-$225

UTMB Index Qualifier
Official race details:
This race is Trail Mix Fund eligible!

The Trail Mix Fund helps remove barriers in trail racing by covering race entry fees for under-served and under-represented runners, creating a more diverse and welcoming start line.




Logistics
The nearest large airport is Boise, Idaho, approximately a half-day drive from Sumpter depending on route and summer roadwork. Bend and Portland are longer drives but listed with organizer driving links for turn-by-turn directions. Use caution on forest roads and allow extra time.
Driving Directions
Start and finish operations are based at the Sumpter Fairgrounds.
Parking
All runners park at the Sumpter Fairgrounds and must ride the shuttle to the start in Bourne. There is no runner drop-off at the start due to limited parking. Visitors should plan to park at the fairgrounds and cheer at the finish.
Lodging
Free tent camping at the fairgrounds for runners and crews. Limited first-come-first-served RV sites at the fairgrounds with some electricity and water but no sewer and no AC use. Hotels are available in Sumpter and Baker City; check Sumpter Stockade, The Depot Inn, Best Western Sunridge Inn, and The Geiser Grand. Showers are available at the finish for 2 dollars and 50 cents for four minutes; bring quarters.
Policies
Cancelations & Deferrals
Refunds & Credits
No transfers to other runners. No exceptions.
Cancel more than 30 days before race day → you’ll receive 50% credit toward the same event the following year.
Cancel within 30 days of race day → no credit, no refund, no transfer. Please don’t ask—we keep this policy consistent for everyone.
How to Cancel for Race Credit
You must cancel 30+ days before the event to receive 50% credit.
Log into your Ultrasignup account.
Go to your registration history.
Cancel your entry.
That’s it—your spot will be released, and 50% credit will automatically roll to next year’s event.
Important: We cannot make exceptions, even for medical reasons or injuries.
Pre-Purchased Items
Gear like shirts, hats, pint glasses, or other add-ons must be picked up in person during race weekend check-in. Anything not collected will not be shipped.
Switching Distances
You can move up or down in distance before race day only.
If the distance you want is sold out and has a waitlist, you’ll need to join the waitlist—we can’t move you ahead of others.
Dropping down? No refunds.
Moving up? You’ll need to pay the difference before being added.
To switch, please email the race directors.
Race Cancellation
If we are forced to cancel an event and it cannot reasonably be rescheduled, there will be no refunds, no credits, no rollovers.
Other Notes
Personal checks are not accepted.
Reserved spots: Alpine Running holds a number of entries for sponsors and partners, outside of regular registration.
Pregnancy Deferral
We proudly offer a deferral for runners who are pregnant.
Eligibility: Any registered runner who is pregnant or becomes pregnant after registering.
Steps:
Submit a written Pregnancy Entry Deferral request to the Race Director before race day.
Provide confirmation of pregnancy or proof of birth from a physician, midwife, or other medical professional.
Your entry will be deferred for 1 year.
Dogs
Dogs are welcome at the finish area at the Sumpter Fairgrounds if they are leashed, well-behaved, and cleaned up after. Dogs may not be left unattended while you race. Crew dogs are not allowed at the Bourne start due to shuttle-only access and limited parking.
Kids
Families and kids are welcome at the finish area and campground in Sumpter. There is no official kids race. Please supervise children near shuttle loading zones and along access roads.
Volunteers
Every race has a secret sauce—and it’s not the aid station snacks. It’s the volunteers. Without their energy, smiles, and hard work, none of these events would happen.
Volunteering is a chance to give back to the trail running community, cheer on runners from a different perspective, and maybe even scope out what racing feels like before signing up yourself. Whatever brings you to the volunteer crew, we see you as partners—and we celebrate you like the trail heroes you are.
What You’ll Get as a Volunteer
At Alpine Running races, volunteers receive:
A quality race t-shirt (wear it with pride!)
A post-race meal and beverage—because good food tastes even better after trail magic
Race credit toward a future Alpine Running event
A Few Ground Rules
To keep things fair and sustainable, here’s how volunteer benefits work:
Credits expire within one year of being issued.
Credits don’t apply to volunteers associated with race sponsors.*
Credits and race-day perks are for folks who sign up ahead of time and fill their assigned role.
Credits can only be redeemed online during registration.
Alpine Running reserves the right to adjust credits, restrictions, or benefits if needed.
*If you’re part of a sponsor team, reach out to Alpine Running to learn more about your special perks!
Charity & Beneficiary
Proceeds support the Baker High School cross-country team and the local 4x4 group Locked & Loaded, both long-time partners staffing aid stations and supporting course access.
Land Acknowledgement
Elkhorn Crest takes place on the homelands of the Cayuse, Umatilla, and Walla Walla peoples who have stewarded these mountains and valleys since time immemorial. We honor their enduring relationship with this landscape and encourage participants to learn more and give back to Indigenous-led efforts in the region.
About
Alpine Running
Alpine Running is a trail race organization rooted in the spirit of the Cascade Mountains, offering a collection of rugged, scenic, and soul-filling events across Oregon and Washington. Founded in 2017 by longtime mountain runner and nurse Trevor Hostetler, Alpine Running was born from a deep passion for wild places and the transformative power of endurance running. Since then, it has grown into a close-knit community of runners who value adventure, camaraderie, and purposeful connection to the trails.
At its core, Alpine Running embodies a low-key yet high-quality ethos. Events are marked by personal touches, from meticulously flagged courses to thoughtful safety planning and warm, volunteer-powered aid stations. Whether you’re pushing your limits in a mountain ultra or enjoying the views on a shorter course, every Alpine race is designed to challenge and uplift.
From the Elkhorn Crest 50 to other remote alpine races, Alpine Running events are as much about self-discovery as they are about competition. If you're seeking meaningful mountain miles with an authentic trail family, Alpine Running will welcome you with open arms and wild terrain.
