How to pick a fun yet challenging 100K ultra

By Henry Howard

Even though I achieved my Western States qualifier for the 2026 race by completing Burning River 100 over the summer, there is no guarantee I’ll be selected in the December lottery. With that in mind, I started thinking about which qualifier I wanted to run for the 2027 race.

It did not take me long to pick a race that combines a fun atmosphere, challenging course and serves as my motivation. I selected the 100K option at Dinosaur Valley Endurance Run, which is held at Dinosaur Valley State Park in Glen Rose, Texas. 

In addition to the 100K, Dinosaur Valley offers options for the 100-miler (also a Western States qualifier), a 50K and a 25K. The 100K, a six-loop course, offers 5700 feet of gain.

Here are six factors in how I selected this fun yet challenging 100K:

• First, as mentioned, it is a Western States qualifier for those who finish the 100K in under 22 hours. I wanted a break from 100-miler qualifiers and since this is a November race, it allows me to choose a different adventure for next summer — or do Western States if I am fortunate enough to be drawn.

• Somewhat related to the first reason is to conquer a race distance that has been challenging to me in the past. In 2018, just a few days before my first 100K, the Ultra Race of Champions (UROC), I underwent emergency abdominal surgery but was able to defer my entry and finish UROC the following year. In 2022, I lined up at the Zion 100K and accepted my first DNF when a bothersome foot and calf injury took me out.

• Race director Libby Jones, the race director of The Active Joe, who I featured in my monthly series honoring RDs I admire. I selected Jones because she places an emphasis on building an inclusive community, creating races for anyone and donating to charities. (To see previous RDs featured, they are all available here. If you have any nominations, feel free to email me here or fill out this form.)

• I love races that support their communities. And Jones makes sure that the Dinosaur Valley race does that. For example, after the 2023 event, they donated $4,000 to Dinosaur Valley State Park to buy a rescue skid (a sturdy medical gurney) to attach to their new EMS ATV to get people with medical emergencies off the trail quickly.

• It looks like a fun way to end the season around my birthday and Thanksgiving. Nail a big race then celebrate and dream big for the following year.

• Last but not least, I’ll share the first of 10 reasons the race offers on its web page. “Uh, it's a freaking belt buckle with a dinosaur skull and the state of Texas on it? Hell yeah!!”