2020 Never Summer 100k - The Long Red Summer

Running an ultra marathon is challenging, but the altitude and steep, rugged terrain of the State Forest State Park make the Never Summer 100k one of Colorado's iconic mountain trail running races. 2020 was a historic year around the world and an exceptional year for the NS100k. The majority of ultra running races were canceled, however, Gnar Runners pulled off the event (a Western States 100 miler qualifier). The Coronavirus/Covid-19 health restrictions impacted the format of the race considerably. Runners had to start in waves of 10 people, which meant it took over two and a half hours to start the race. Despite all the changes to the format, the racers and entire community came together to help runners cross the finish line. It was an inspiration to watch the competitors set aside their personal struggles to challenge themselves on the course. Two short weeks after the final racer crossed the finish line, the Cameron Peak fire started just east of the Never Summer 100k course. The blaze quickly grew to the the largest wildfire in Colorado history. Watching flames hundreds of feet tall consume entire hillsides of forest from the Montgomery ridge was one of the most humbling experiences of the summer. Ash and smoke polluted the air across Northern Colorado and hundreds of miles east onto the plains. The flames would eventually extend nearly all the way to Fort Collins, Estes Park and Red Feather Lakes. Rebuilding from the events of 2020 is daunting and will take years, but if there is anything to be learned from ultra running it is that we are resilient and will persevere. Together.