Race: North Fork 50 Mile
Runner: TRR Coach Kyle Fulmer
Race Date: 05/31/2025
Location: Buffalo Creek, Colorado
Result: 11 hours, 58 minutes and 54 seconds (including 8 bonus miles!), 39th overall
Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/14657170724
3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?
- Super smooth, runnable trails: A wide variety of runnable trails, all with tons of views: in and out of pines, burn scar, mountain bike rollers and more.
- Location: It’s not too far from the Front Range. It took 1 hour and 15 minutes to drive from Boulder on race morning.
- Scenery: Wildflowers were popping along the trails!
Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you
Well, I did run an extra eight miles because the out-and-back wasn’t marked very well. About a dozen of us missed the turn, and proceeded to run about 4 past the turnaround before realizing our mistake. Only 4 of us actually went back and completed the course. So, we got 8 bonus miles for free!
Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?
The aforementioned out-and-back was kind of weird, because then you had to run “back” to the previous aid station and then “back” again past the out-and-back point. In previous years, they marked bibs and color-coded the signs to make this clearer, but not this year. The takeaway… don’t be like me! Instead, remember to study the North Fork 50 course map before race day!
Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?
I really enjoyed the running trails. With only ~6500 feet of climbing in the standard 50-mile route, you can get into a good groove and practice chugging along. Also, I’m proud of my mindset when I realized I’d run off course. I chose to focus on the positives: logging more miles on great trails, getting better value for my race entry fee, and finishing 1st in what I termed the North Fork XL!
Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner
Be prepared for a variety of weather conditions. It can get hot, though you reach pretty high elevations, above 8000 feet at points, so that makes it a bit cooler. We did get hailed on pretty good, and had a brief but intense thunderstorm. Also, remember to study the map and know when to expect the out-and-back!
Lessons you learned that will help you next time around
I now know where the confusing out-and-back is, and the right way to navigate the course!
Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race
You’ve guessed it: the darn out-and-back!
Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?
The North Fork 50 is a very pretty course! You can expect stunning views of the surrounding mountains, snow-capped peaks, tons of wildflowers and aspen sections. You could see all the way to Pikes Peak and beyond!
Difficulty – Is it a tough course?
Not especially tough, but the runnable trails will test your running fitness!
Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?
The North Fork 50 is organized by Aravaipa Running, one of the best trail race organizers out there, so you can trust it will be well-run. This race was no exception: it was dialed, especially the aid stations. And with free burgers at the finish line, Aravaipa did well!
Competition – Is there a strong field?
Any race in Colorado is always going to have strong local runners in the field. This year, the men’s and women’s champions were particularly strong, both setting new course records!
Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.
Very easy logistically. The North Fork 50 was easy to enter and didn’t sell out. Parking at the start was also hassle free.
Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?
Really good aid stations, 8 in total. You were allowed crew at 4 of the aid stations, but crew wasn’t necessary. There were great offerings at the aid stations, including avocado and bean burritos, which I loved!
Weather and typical race conditions
As noted above, be prepared for anything! It can get toasty, but a sizable thunderstorm also rolled in on us!
Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next runner?
Not really. It was a little cold at the start at 6:00am, but warmed up quickly, so avoid overdressing.
Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?
Average for a trail race. There were 4 aid stations with spectators and crew access.
How’s the Swag?
Solid. We got a pint glass and a casual t-shirt.
The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?
8.5 out of 10!! I would rate the North Fork 50 higher except for the course marking issue. My bad, but still a little more detail there would have been appreciated. Instead, I finished first in the “North Fork XL” (almost 100K)!
Kyle Fulmer is a coach with Team RunRun and our social media manager extraordinaire. He is an experienced trail and ultra coach and athlete based in Boulder, Colorado.