Aerial view of lush green rolling landscape

Silver State 50/50

Half Marathon / 50K / 50 Miles·Reno, Nevada·May 16, 2026
3 distances

Photo by Qingbao Meng on Unsplash

About This Event

The Silver State 50/50 has been testing Nevada trail runners since 1988, making it one of the West's most established ultra events. Based in Reno's Rancho San Rafael Park, this race offers three distances across the rugged terrain of Peavine Mountain and the surrounding Sierra Nevada foothills. What sets Silver State apart is its combination of accessible starting location and genuinely challenging mountain terrain. The course runs entirely on dirt trails and fire roads, climbing through diverse ecosystems from high desert scrub to aspen groves. The infamous "Jimmy's Loop" on the 50-mile course adds an extra 7.1 miles of climbing that rewards runners with expansive views and seasonal aspen displays. With nearly four decades of history, Silver State attracts a mix of seasoned ultrarunners and ambitious newcomers. The race organization emphasizes safety and accountability, requiring mandatory check-ins at all aid stations and enforcing firm cutoff times. The cupless format and remote aid stations demand self-sufficiency, while the multi-use mountain setting means sharing trails with mountain bikers and off-road vehicles.

Choose Your Distance

Gentle hills with wildflower meadow trail

Half Marathon

9,501 ft gain

The Silver State 50/50 has been testing Nevada trail runners since 1988, making it one of the West's most established ultra events. Based in Reno's Rancho San Rafael Park, this race offers three distances across the rugged terrain of Peavine Mountain and the surrounding Sierra Nevada foothills. What sets Silver State apart is its combination of accessible starting location and genuinely challenging mountain terrain. The course runs entirely on dirt trails and fire roads, climbing through diverse ecosystems from high desert scrub to aspen groves. The infamous "Jimmy's Loop" on the 50-mile course adds an extra 7.1 miles of climbing that rewards runners with expansive views and seasonal aspen displays. With nearly four decades of history, Silver State attracts a mix of seasoned ultrarunners and ambitious newcomers. The race organization emphasizes safety and accountability, requiring mandatory check-ins at all aid stations and enforcing firm cutoff times. The cupless format and remote aid stations demand self-sufficiency, while the multi-use mountain setting means sharing trails with mountain bikers and off-road vehicles.

Misty green hillside at dawn

50K

9,501 ft gain

The Silver State 50/50 has been testing Nevada trail runners since 1988, making it one of the West's most established ultra events. Based in Reno's Rancho San Rafael Park, this race offers three distances across the rugged terrain of Peavine Mountain and the surrounding Sierra Nevada foothills. What sets Silver State apart is its combination of accessible starting location and genuinely challenging mountain terrain. The course runs entirely on dirt trails and fire roads, climbing through diverse ecosystems from high desert scrub to aspen groves. The infamous "Jimmy's Loop" on the 50-mile course adds an extra 7.1 miles of climbing that rewards runners with expansive views and seasonal aspen displays. With nearly four decades of history, Silver State attracts a mix of seasoned ultrarunners and ambitious newcomers. The race organization emphasizes safety and accountability, requiring mandatory check-ins at all aid stations and enforcing firm cutoff times. The cupless format and remote aid stations demand self-sufficiency, while the multi-use mountain setting means sharing trails with mountain bikers and off-road vehicles.

Aerial view of lush green rolling landscape

50 Miles

9,501 ft gain

The Silver State 50/50 has been testing Nevada trail runners since 1988, making it one of the West's most established ultra events. Based in Reno's Rancho San Rafael Park, this race offers three distances across the rugged terrain of Peavine Mountain and the surrounding Sierra Nevada foothills. What sets Silver State apart is its combination of accessible starting location and genuinely challenging mountain terrain. The course runs entirely on dirt trails and fire roads, climbing through diverse ecosystems from high desert scrub to aspen groves. The infamous "Jimmy's Loop" on the 50-mile course adds an extra 7.1 miles of climbing that rewards runners with expansive views and seasonal aspen displays. With nearly four decades of history, Silver State attracts a mix of seasoned ultrarunners and ambitious newcomers. The race organization emphasizes safety and accountability, requiring mandatory check-ins at all aid stations and enforcing firm cutoff times. The cupless format and remote aid stations demand self-sufficiency, while the multi-use mountain setting means sharing trails with mountain bikers and off-road vehicles.