The Idaho Mountain Trail Ultra Festival, or IMTUF, delivers both jaw-dropping scenery and one serious endurance challenge, typically held the third weekend of September. Set in McCall, known as Ski Town USA, the race showcases just how much more this mountain town has to offer beyond winter sports. In summer and early fall, McCall and the surrounding region transform into a playground of alpine lakes and rugged trails that rival anywhere in North America. It’s a backdrop that makes an already demanding race feel even more unforgettable.
A True Community Ultra in the Heart of the Salmon Mountains
Since its start in 2012, this is the most organic race on the list. Started by Jeremy and Brandi Humphrey, the goal of this race is to provide a challenging 100 mile race but at the same time bring the running community together. As a qualifier for both Hardrock 100 and Western States 100, the course covers 20,000 vertical feet of ascents across its 100 miles. If the difficulty wasn’t enough to take your breath away, the scenery in the Salmon Mountain Range surrounding the Burgdorf Hot Springs will. Don’t worry if this competition seems a bit too daunting. Instead, consider checking out the Legend of Bear Peak 30K or the McCall Trail Running Classic.
