Fools Rush In Where Angels Fear to Tread
www.foolishraces.com
New York State is much more than New York City. It is home to the Adirondack Park, the Thousand Island Region, Finger Lakes, canals, ponds, apple orchards, thousands of villages, and hamlets as well as Niagara Falls. The FOOLS’ Ultra is a group of foot races across many of these regions. Starting at Niagara Falls racers will traverse East across the state and follow the Olympic Torch route through classic Adirondack villages of Lake Placid, Saranac Lake and Tupper Lake. The finish along Lake Champlain is one of the most beautiful sites in the Eastern United States. The Samuel Champlain Statue in the shadow of the bridge to Vermont awaits runners who have the audacity and intestinal fortitude to finish this race.
The 420 mile ultra will begin at Niagara Falls at the falls overlook and cross the state. Racers will have 13 days/305 hours to complete the race while maintaining 32 miles per day. Un-Afraid (self-supported) racers will leave Port Henry with only that which they will race with, the race director(s) will not store items for those racers. Un-Afraid runners will then stay over in Niagara Falls where their rooms will be provided double occupancy as part of their fee. This is scheduled to change to single occupancy due to COVID-19. Afraid runners with crews will not ride the bus, the crews and racers are allowed to meet in Port Henry and follow the bus to see the route if they would like. Hotel rooms are also not provided for crews or crewed racers.
Bus Ride: 15 Sept 2025 @ 0700
Race Start: 16 Sept 2025 @0700
Race Finish: 28 Sept 2025 @ 2359:59
The 200* mile ultra will begin on the shores of Lake Ontario with racers heels touching the water. They will then follow the remaining route. Racers will have 7 days/168 hours while maintaining 29 miles a day. Un-Afraid racers will stay overnight in a hotel in Watertown. This is provided as part of the entry fee. Lunch will be provided at Sackett’s Harbor as part of the entry fee.
Bus Ride: 20 Sept 2025 @0700
Race Start: 21 Sept 2025 @0700
Race Finish: 28 Sept 2025 @0700
The 100* mile ultra will begin on the beach in Cranberry Lake with racers heels touching the water. They will then follow the remaining route to Port Henry. Racers will have 2 days/48 hours while maintaining 33 miles a day. Racers will board the bus in the early morning and drive the route in reverse. Racers will then return on foot to Lake Champlain.
Bus Ride: 26 Sept 2025 @ 0430
Race Start: 28 Sept 2025 @0700
The 50 miler will begin in the shadow of the Olympic ski jump complex in Lake Placid. They will then cross the hike peaks and follow the remaining route to Port Henry. Racers will have 24 hours. Racers will board the bus in the early morning and drive the route in reverse.
Bus Ride: 27 Sept 2025 @ 0530
Race Start: 27 Sept 2025 @ 0700
The Route
https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/5784895045
FOR ALL RACES:
Racers will be broken into two categories checking in twice daily. Un-Afraid runners will be self-supported, relying on their own wits and drive as they navigate long stretches of New York roads between respites. Afraid runners will be supported and are allowed to have a crew.
Afraid runners will meet in the pre-dawn morning in Port Henry, NY on the dates provided according to the race they are participating in. They will park their cars in a space provided near the finish. Those runners will then board buses to the start.
****There are no refunds or deferrals for any event. ***
Event's current local time: 7:23 AM ET