About This Race
The Crazy Owl Endurance Races presents one of trail running's most mentally and physically demanding formats: the Last One Standing. This backyard ultra-style event strips away the typical race strategy of pacing and nutrition planning, replacing it with a simple but brutal requirement: complete a loop every hour until only one runner remains. The race continues day and night, testing not just physical endurance but mental fortitude as runners face the psychological challenge of an event with no predetermined finish line. Held in the rolling terrain around Jamesville, New York, this event attracts runners seeking to push beyond traditional distance boundaries. The format eliminates the usual ultra concerns of cutoff times and aid station schedules, instead creating a unique test where success depends on consistent execution under mounting fatigue. Each loop must be completed within the hour, with any remaining time serving as rest before the next mandatory start. The Last One Standing format has gained popularity among ultrarunners for its pure test of endurance and mental strength. Unlike traditional ultras where runners can banking time early or recover from low points, this format demands steady, reliable performance from start to finish. The race continues until all but one runner either fails to complete a loop within the time limit or chooses to withdraw, making it as much a test of determination as physical capability.
The course details for the Crazy Owl Endurance Races are not specified in the available data. In typical Last One Standing events, runners complete identical loops each hour, though the specific distance, terrain, and elevation profile for this New York venue remain unclear. Given the Jamesville location, runners can expect terrain characteristic of central New York's rolling landscape.
Practical Info
Late September in central New York typically features cool mornings and mild afternoons, with potential for significant temperature swings between day and night portions of the race.
SYR - Syracuse Hancock International Airport
Jamesville is located near Syracuse, providing access to standard lodging options in the greater Syracuse metropolitan area.
Best For
Notable Features
The Last One Standing format creates a unique competitive dynamic where traditional ultra racing strategies become irrelevant. Runners cannot bank time, coast through low periods, or rely on familiar distance markers for motivation. Success depends entirely on completing each loop within the hourly time limit while managing fatigue, nutrition, and mental state for an unknown duration. The event continues until natural attrition leaves only one finisher, making it one of ultrarunning's purest endurance tests.