In Part I of this week’s roundup we focused on ultras in the East with a big spotlight on the record-setting action at the Jack Bristol Lake Waramaug Ultras. Here in Part II we turn to events in the West and Midwest, including the Arizona classic Zane Grey Highline Trail Runs, the Royal Gorge Groove 50K in Colorado, and the multi-day Earth Day Bucklemania festival in Kansas.

Zane Grey Highline Trail Runs

Alyssa Stetson opted for an American classic for her first ultra when she took part in the 50-mile race at the 35th annual Zane Grey Highline Trail Runs on Saturday, April 26, in Payson, Ariz.

The event dates back to 1990 and has tested runners for years with 50-mile and 27-mile ultras with plenty of singletrack trails, technical terrain and big climbs. Stetson and her fellow 50-milers amassed more than 6,800 feet of gain along the way to the finish line. Ultimately, 38 runners finished within 15 1/2 hours, including Stetson, 34, of Charlestown, Mass., who was 35th in 14:28:36.

Avinoam Maier, 34, of Scottsdale, Ariz., led all runners in 8:16:43, while Sandi Nypaver, 36, of Poncha Springs, Colo., was fourth overall and set a new female course record in 8:52:41. 

No New England residents were among the 65 finishers of the 27-mile race. Ned Sudbeck, 28, of Flagstaff, Ariz., led the way at that distance in 4:24:38.

Royal Gorge Groove 50K

Casey Mendrala is no stranger to trail-running in Colorado. The 36-year-old resident of Springfield, Mass., has raced a handful of times in the state, including a finish at the 2022 Leadville Trail 100-miler. Mendrala returned for the third annual Royal Gorge Groove 50K on Saturday, April 26, in Canon City, Colo., to race along the rim of the Royal Gorge, high above the Arkansas River 900 feet below.

Of the 102 runners who started the race, 91 finished within 11 hours. Mendrala was among them, placing 59th in 7:30:26. David Norris, 34, of Steamboat Springs, Colo., led all runners with a new male course record 4:04:06. Top female Catherine Huyett, 31, of Fort Collins, Colo., was 13th overall in 5:28:54.

Earth Day Bucklemania

If there’s a multi-day, time-based ultra in the United States, there’s a good chance Ed Peters will be there. The 73-year-old from Norwalk, Conn., has been a regular at these events for years, amassing countless finishes of 100 miles or more along the way.

Peters earned at least his third 100-mile finish of 2025 at another event of the same format when he took part in the third annual Earth Day Bucklemania event on April 25-27 in Abilene, Kan. Runners had 48, 24 or 12 hours to log as many miles as possible on a 1.8228-mile certified paved loop course through a park. The event offered runners the opportunity to earn up to six belt buckles for completing 50K, 50-mile, 100K, 100-mile, 150-mile and 200-mile distances. Peters was there for the duration, along with 33 other runners who took part for various time limits. Of those who took part, 22 amassed 100 miles or more, including Peters who tied for seventh overall with 102.07 miles.

Joyce Payne, 43, of Webb City, Mo., led all runners and set both female and overall course records with 176.81 miles. Brandon Walker, 50, of Sabetha, Kan., was second and the top male with 165.87 miles.

Up next for Peters is the 48-hour race at Six Days in the Dome in Milwaukee, Wisc., in June, followed by the 48-hour race at the Notchview Ultra in Windsor, Mass., in July.

*Editor’s Note: Results are found on a variety of sites, including ultrasignup.com, UltraRunning Magazine, and official race websites. We do the best we can to find as many results as possible to report on and recognize the local ultrarunning community.