WELCOME to the Painemeister Ultra Weekend by Northfield Tough!
The Painemeister Ultra Weekend is a weekend of running that will challenge you physically and mentally, all while raising money for non-profit youth-programming in Northfield, VT. In fact, 100% of race registrations and t-shirt and merchandise sales will go directly to local 501(c)3 non-profits supporting our youth and kids in Northfield, VT.
This event is open to ultra-runners across the US, as well as to the community of Northfield and cadets and students of Norwich University. No matter what your skill level, we have an event that will challenge you physically and mentally, all while participating in the camaraderie and community of the 2.1 mile "Painemeister" loop (with 884 feet of ascent and descent) that makes up the heart of this event.
All events start Friday afternoon at 4pm local time, with the exception of the (FREE) Kid's Fun Run, which will be held Saturday at 10:00am.
The Painemeister 100 -- 42,000 Feet of Vert :)
The "Queen" event: the Painemeister 100, an individual ("solo") event that consists of 48 loops, 100.8 miles and 42,441 feet of elevation ascent and 42,441 feet of descent (84,882 total elevation change). Each loop is 2.1 miles with 884 feet of ascent and 884 feet of descent. No organized, official races in the US have more vertical gain in a 100-mile event, making this one of the toughest events in the United States. Given the loop structure, it will also be one of the most fun:
-- No need for heavy packs -- you get an "aid station" at the end of each loop!
-- Community vibes, cheering squads, music and camaraderie at the end of each 2.1 mile loop
-- Hike it if you prefer! Most finishers at UTMB and Hardrock hike most if not all the event. The same can be done here while completing the event within the 48-hour time limit
Why do an event like this? To see if it's possible, and if you can -- all while climbing more vert than any other 100-miler in the US.
The Painemeister 48-Hour Endurance Challenge
Not sure if you can finish 100 miles in the 48 hours? Sign up for the 48-hour endurance challenge to see how much you can climb, and how far you can go, in the 48-hours.
Want to go farther than 100 miles? Any finisher of the Painemeister 100 (before the 48-hour time limit) is automatically allowed to continue on into the 48-hour challenge, to see just how far they can go beyond 100 miles, and how high they can climb, within the 48 hour mark.
How far, and how high can you go?
Community & Kid's Fun Run
Are you a Northfield resident or parent? If so, sign up for our Community Fun Run, and/or sign up your kids for the FREE Kid's Fun Run.
The Community Fun run is for all Northfield residents to challenge you to complete a Painemeister loop, and to see just how many you can complete over the course of the 48 hours. Go out for 1 loop, or try your hand in a few. Get some rest and come back the next day for more.
The Kid's Fun Run is open to kids of all ages, and we will have different distances depending on the age. We will even have an event for little ones 5 and under. Come out, participate and have some outdoor fun with your children and the broader Northfield community.
Awards & Prizes
Painemeister 100
- All finishers will receive a Painemeister 100 belt buckle
- Top finishers will have their names and race times etched into stone that will be placed locally (location TBD) for all to see
Painemeister 48-Hour Endurance Challenge
- All finishers will receive a unique award certificate via mail that will display their finish distance and elevation climbed
Event's current local time: 8:53 PM ET