North America

North America shaped modern ultra-trail running as much as the Alps did: the first 100-milers were born in the Rockies and the Sierra Nevada. North American trails also cover the Appalachians, older and more densely wooded, and the forests of Quebec, where winter sometimes arrives as early as autumn.

The Leadville Trail 100, in Colorado's Rockies, tops out above 3,800 metres, in thin air with a reputation of its own. The Vermont 100 crosses the Green Mountains of the Appalachians, between dairy farms and hardwood forests that blaze in autumn. The Ultra-Trail Harricana, in Charlevoix, follows Quebec's St. Lawrence on trails cut into Precambrian rock. The Squamish 50, in British Columbia, climbs through temperate forest between sea and mountains, halfway between Vancouver and Whistler. Western States and the Hardrock 100 remain the historic, founding benchmarks of the Sierra Nevada and Colorado.

A vast continent, with relief that shares nothing from one end to the other — each one becomes its own topographic poster.