4/14/2024: White Loop Training Run (5/18/24)
Come join us on Saturday, May 18 at 7:30 a.m. for our second course preview run of 2024, where we will run the White Loop of the course (11.6 miles). Overall pace of the group run will be easy and no runner will be left behind.
This will be a fun run, and a great opportunity to see the course and meet other trail runners. Refreshments will be provided post run at River House Campground.
Some runners may go out for additional mileage as well.
White Loop details can be found here: https://whiterockultra.com/whiterock/race/race-profile
Meet at River Campground at Whiterock Conservancy: 1314 Fig Ave, Coon Rapids, Iowa, 50058
If you plan to join shoot us a message at whiterockultra@gmail.com.
4/4/2024: POET
We’re excited to welcome POET Biofuels back as a premier sponsor for this year’s race!
At some point, technology and nature fell out of rhythm. For 35 years, POET has been changing the world through sustainable, plant-based biofuels and bioproducts and getting us back in rhythm with nature by providing sophisticated biotechnology solutions to our most immediate challenges.
With a facility in Coon Rapids, Iowa – right down the road from Whiterock Conservancy – we’re thrilled to have their continued support of our event!
POET is doing some amazing things, and their website is a great resource to learn more.
3/14/2024: Hammer Nutrition
We are PUMPED to share that Hammer Nutrition will be back again as our fueling partner for this year’s event!
Hammer has been supporting endurance sports and athletes with high-quality supplements and endurance fuels since 1987. We’re thankful for their continued partnership. 
To learn more about Hammer Nutrition visit their website: www.Hammernutrition.com
11/5/2023: Save the Date
Save the date! The 2024 race will be held Saturday, July 27, 2024!
6/2/2023: POET
We are excited to announce POET as a premier sponsor of this year’s Whiterock Ultra!
At some point, technology and nature fell out of rhythm. For 35 years, POET has been changing the world through sustainable, plant-based biofuels and bioproducts and getting us back in rhythm with nature by providing sophisticated biotechnology solutions to our most immediate challenges. With 33 locations throughout the Midwest, including their facility in Coon Rapids, Iowa – right down the road from Whiterock Conservancy – POET’s mission starts in the communities it serves. We’re thrilled to have their support and encourage you to learn more about the company and its mission.
10/9/2022: 2023 Race Date + Registration Update
It’s official…next year’s Whiterock Ultra will be held on Saturday, July 8, 2023!
Be sure to mark the date on your calendar and plan to join us for the 5th anniversary of the race. It’ll be an extra-special event that you WON’T want to miss!
Registration will open December 3rd on UltraSignup!
7/8/2021: Inclement Weather Policy
**The policy below was emailed to all runners on 7/7/21**
Sometimes, there are weather events beyond our control. (A little rain in the forecast won’t stop us.) But if there is a threat of more severe weather, we are dedicated to ensuring the safety of all participants, volunteers, and spectators. All decisions made by race officials are non negotiable. If we deem the course unsafe because of weather conditions, here’s what you need to know.
- Race officials may delay the event, change the route or cancel the race in case of extreme weather or other conditions that may affect the safety and health of participants. We will do everything in our power to hold a safe event. The race can be delayed for a maximum of two hours from start time. If severe weather hasn’t cleared within two hours, the race may be shortened or canceled. The race director in consultation with law enforcement, fire/EMS, Conservancy Staff, and other officials, will monitor the weather and make a decision if any action is necessary.
- If the race start of the 50 mile event is delayed more than 2 hours, participants will be entered into the 50Km race starting at 7am.
- If the race start of the 50Km event is delayed more than 2 hours the course will be shortened to accommodate a course cut off of 7pm. Aid stations may have little to no support after 5pm so please plan accordingly.
- Race officials may decide to shut down or alter the course after the race has started if weather conditions deteriorate and trails are too wet to handle abuse from the race. Runners will be asked to take shelter at the closest aid station or other safe location if weather is severe. If you refuse to take shelter and continue, you do so at your own risk. Aid stations will be unsupported at this time and you will not be eligible for top-finisher awards.
- If severe weather alters the event mid race, participants will have their time paused as to when they crossed the River house aid station timing mat. The race will resume 30 minutes after race officials give the all clear. Your time will resume when you check out of the River house aid station by crossing over the timing mat.
- Volunteer course marshals will be released from their positions if the race is canceled.
- Entry fees are nonrefundable. Proceeds are donated to Whiterock Conservancy and your entry fee has been used to help cover the cost of the event.
Required Gear
If there is excessive rain (>~1”), it is possible that the course may be altered to include some gravel roads as an alternative to the trails. Rain route details are below. In the event that we are moved to gravel roads, athletes will be required to have a safety vest, per the athlete guide that was sent out last week. Weather appropriate rain gear is also recommended.
Rain Route
Alternative rain routes will only be used in the event of excessive rain. This includes a modified Red Loop and Blue Loop. Please pay extra attention to the White Loop, which would be a new addition to the course and run on gravel roads (and one minimum maintenance B road).
Red Loop: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/66680481
White Loop: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/66680530
Blue Loop: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/66680584
50 Mile* runners will run 3 consecutive Red Loops, 1 white loop and 1 blue loop.
50 Km* runners will run 1 red loop, 1 white loop and 1 blue loop.
*Distance is approximate.
Safe Locations
Please familiarize yourself as best you can with your surroundings and know safe locations. The River House, Oak Ridge Campground shower house (Red Loop), Starfield shower house (White Loop) and Garst Lake House (Blue Loop) are the safest locations when inclement weather strikes. If lightning, hail or high winds are present please seek shelter at your nearest location.
Trail Map Link
https://www.whiterockconservancy.org/trail-map
11/16/2020: 2021 Whiterock Ultra Update
STATEMENT REGARDING COVID 19
In the event of a pandemic, the race will follow similar protocols as our 2020 Covid 19 plan.
-Masks/face coverings must be worn when interacting with volunteers
-All volunteers must wear masks when interacting with runners
-Corralled starts in groups of 10 runners every 5 minutes
-No pre race event/ expo. Registration will be one at a time (Outdoors preferably but sheltered)
-If no live event takes place, a virtual event will take place. Awards eligible to those that run the course any time between Friday, 7/9 – Sunday, 7/11. No aid stations available but timing available.
-Can also run locally and receive a finisher award
-Finisher Hugs will be virtual
Registrations may be cancelled up until April 30th, 2021, minus the UltraSignup registration fee.
Registrations may be deferred up until June 30, 2021.
05/27/2020: Race Update
Based on recent developments and guidance from the state we will be able to move forward with our race, in-person, as planned on July 12!
Since our last update campgrounds have reopened, and the state has begun an initial, phased reopening of businesses and other amenities. In yesterday’s press conference Gov. Reynolds said that “effective June 1, social, community and recreational, leisure and sports gatherings of more than 10 people will be permitted again. Groups and individuals attending must maintain 6 feet social distancing.”
In addition to adhering to the state’s reopening guidelines, we will continue to monitor COVID-19 data and adapt our race-day strategy accordingly. As we’ve said since day one, the safety of our runners, volunteers and communities remains our primary concern. (Details at the bottom of this message).
We are excited! And we have been preparing. We have designed the awards (more info will be shared soon) and have purchased the majority of our race-day essentials.
Going forward we plan to provide weekly updates on the status of the race and additional details related to how we plan to safely host our event.
We are also updating our athlete guide that should address many of the tactical questions you may still have and will release that soon.
In light of all of this, if you plan to join us for the 50K or 50-mile races on July 12, please register soon on Ultrasignup. Race entries will be capped at 50 per race to ensure the safety of our runners and volunteers.
We thank you for hanging in there with us during these uncertain times and we look forward to bringing you an AMAZING race this July!
Stay safe and keep training!
Michael & Greg
*Please note that the following rules may be put in place to ensure the safety of this year’s participants and volunteers:
–Athletes will start with time trial starting to help spread out athletes.
–Additional areas to clean hands with hand sanitizer will be available.
–Athlete support will be allowed at our Start/Finish line aid station (always permitted) and at the pond aid station (previously not permitted).
–Athletes will be given a buff and they will be required to cover their mouths when interacting with volunteers.
–Volunteers will be given gloves, buffs and additional face coverings and will be required to wear them when interacting with athletes.
–All food will be served single-serving style. No bowls of food.
–Volunteers will be a lot less “hands on” (may not be able to fill water bottles or wrap feet). While this may appear as less friendly, it is to protect our volunteers and our runners.
–Pre-race temperature check
–Athletes will be expected to sign an updated liability waiver that includes adhering to our policies regarding our precautionary health measures.
04/28/2020: Covid-19 Update
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to impact everything we do in ways we wouldn’t have even imagined even a few months ago. First and foremost, we hope everyone is doing well and staying safe. This time has been trying for all of us and we hope the enjoyment of trail running is able to provide a sense of normalcy.
With regard to the race, we are cautiously optimistic and are still planning on having the event on July 12, with additional safety measures and precautions in place. That said, if you don’t feel safe even after our reading our plan, feel free to request a refund* (via Ultrasignup) until April 30. Of course, if you’re still interested in participating, we would love to host you and we hope to still put on a stellar event.
Please note that the following rules may be put in place to address the changing dynamics of this situation:
–Athletes will start with time trial starting to help spread out athletes.
–Additional areas to clean hands with hand sanitizer will be available.
–Athlete support will be allowed at our Start/Finish line aid station (always permitted) and at the pond aid station (previously not permitted).
–Athletes will be given a buff and they will be required to cover their mouths when interacting with volunteers.
–Volunteers will be given gloves, buffs and additional face coverings and will be required to wear them when interacting with athletes.
–All food will be served single-serving style. No bowls of food.
–Volunteers will be a lot less “hands on” (may not be able to fill water bottles or wrap feet). While this may appear as less friendly, it is to protect our volunteers and our runners.
–Pre-race temperature check
We have been monitoring the news cycle just as keenly as you all have. Based on Gov. Reynolds’ press conference on Monday, it feels like her new executive order is a positive step toward what we hope is further expanded guidelines in the next few weeks. As more information from national, state and local leaders continues to become available, we will update our plan accordingly. The two things that will have to happen for us to be able to continue with our race as planned are:
–Campgrounds will need to be reopened
–Gatherings for leisure activities will need to be expanded to more than 10 people
We will limit our race capacity to the threshold that the state designates. In the unfortunate event that these things cannot be assured, we will not be able to hold the race this year and all runners would be notified accordingly.
We are optimistic that, similar to 6-7 weeks ago, our social environment will be drastically different than it is today, only for the better. And that this event will be a welcome reprieve from what was.
We provide additional updates as more information comes available. Thanks for your understanding and ongoing support!
Stay safe,
Michael and Greg
*The easiest way to request a refund is to log into your Ultrasignup account and go into your account history. Within your account history will be Whiterock Ultra and the ability to edit your registration if you registered in the past 90 days. If you click on “Edit” you should be able to request a refund for the registration fee or defer to 2021. If you continue to experience trouble, or registered more than 90 days ago, feel free to email us at whiterockultra@gmail.com and we will be happy to assist.