The High Five 100, set for August 7, 2026, in the remote heart of Lake City, Colorado, is not merely a race; it's a monumental, self-directed endurance challenge designed to push even the most seasoned ultra-runners to their absolute limits. Conceived by local ultra runners in 2018, this 100-mile odyssey (estimated between 90-105 miles) through the San Juan Mountains demands an unparalleled blend of physical prowess and mental fortitude. Typical race day conditions in August offer highs around 70°F and lows near 40°F, with a 13% chance of precipitation, adding to the unpredictable nature of the high-alpine environment.

The course itself is an unmarked, rugged beast, featuring over 40,000 feet of cumulative elevation gain and requiring runners to summit five 14,000-foot peaks and six 13,000-foot peaks. Participants navigate their own route between 24 specific proof points and checkpoints, starting and finishing in Lake City. This rigorous format means runners must possess extensive navigation skills and are encouraged to use GPS watches or phones. True to its defiant spirit, the High Five 100 offers no marked course, no aid stations, no entry fee, and no finisher's medal, focusing solely on the intrinsic reward of confronting and conquering an almost impossible challenge. Aid from crew or drop bags is strictly limited to the designated checkpoints.

Known for its brutal difficulty and for making other challenging ultras "look mild," the High Five 100 attracts a select field of experienced mountain ultra-runners who possess grit, mental toughness, and a genuine love for suffering. With a daunting 48-hour cutoff, only about one in three applicants successfully cross the finish line back in Lake City. Pacers are permitted from the Capitol City checkpoint, and even canine companions can join from this point, adding a unique dimension to this transformative mountain experience.