Races
Mountain Lakes
Southern Oregon. Mountain Lakes. Fourteen thousand feet. Crater Lake country. September snow possible.
100 mi+5,447 ft-5,568 ft30 hours707 ft to 858 fttech 5/10Checkpoints per race bookCrater Lake countryWSER qualifierSeptember
Distance100 mi
Gain+5,447 ft
Loss-5,568 ft
Altitude707 ft to 858 ft
Technicality5/10
Air35°F to 80°F
- Start833 ft
- High858 ft
- Low707 ft
- Finish712 ft
Field, 2025 · 11-year samplescraped
Starters151
Finish rate53%
Median27:50
Sub-2416
Geometryderived
Steepest drop141 ft-1.3% over 2.1 mi
Night miles41 misunset near 18:00 local
Course records
Men2:25:37Mark Wright
Women16:24:11Janessa Taylor
The cruxCrater Lake rim connector and the Diamond Peak views (near mile 65)
Course DNA
The Course
Mountain Lakes runs 100 mi through Oregon. +5,447 ft gain and -5,568 ft loss. Surfaces skew 85% trail / 15% forest road. Crater Lake rim connector and the Diamond Peak views. High point near 858 ft. Low near 707 ft. September temps run 35°F to 80°F. The course rewards patience early and punishes rushed descents after mile 50.
The Work
Train for 5,447 feet of climbing across 100 mi. Back-to-back long runs on trail. Practice power-hiking grades above 15 percent. 30 hours total means limited margin: rehearse fueling every 45 to 60 minutes and downhill eccentric work weekly. Technicality 5/10. Build a block that simulates the crux near mile 65.
Kit
September in Oregon: plan for 35°F to 80°F. Mandatory shell if rain is in forecast. Headlamp with spare batteries if 30 hours pushes past dark. Poles help on sustained climbs above mile 25. Vest capacity for 2 liters minimum. Shoes matched to 85% trail: lugs for mud, rock plate if the course turns technical after mile 50.
Race Day
Hold effort through mile 25. The field often splits on the first big climb after mile 50. Crater Lake rim connector and the Diamond Peak views near mile 65 is where time is won or lost. Walk the steep pinches. Run the flats and gentle downhills. Crew at major aids: socks, calories, ice if hot. Transitions under 5 minutes when possible. Final third is 33 miles of fatigue management. Finish with reserve for the last descent.
Results
Mountain Lakes finish lines.
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Sources (3)
- Field stats (2025): https://ultrasignup.com/results_event.aspx?did=119656
- Course record (M): https://ultrasignup.com/results_event.aspx?did=37259
- Course record (F): https://ultrasignup.com/results_event.aspx?did=26597