Photo Essay: Ultra Race Of Champions

This year's UROC brought some of the top ultrarunners in North America to Wintergreen Resort in Virginia on Sept. 29. Photo: CompetitionImaging.com

Ellie Greenwood and other elite runners dispensed valuable ultrarunning insights and advice at the athlete panel the night before the race. Photo: CompetitionImaging.com

JFK 50 course record-holder David Riddle (left) and 2011 U.S. ultrarunner of the year Dave Mackey run stride for stride midway through the race. Photo: UROC

The 100K course was split between trail and road sections, but there were plenty of wild elements to be found, including this bear. Photo: CompetitionImaging.com

Oregon's Max King took charge midway through the race and ran away from the strong men's field. Photo: CompetitionImaging.com

Given that she'd won the past two Western States 100 titles, Ellie Greenwood was the favorite coming into the race. She won in 9:04:09, but Ragan Petrie ran a strong race to finish second in 9:51:15. Photo: CompetitionImaging.com

Oregon's Ian Sharman refuels near mile 32. Photo: UROC

Max King takes a much-deserved break after winning his third trail running championship race in the previous eight days. Photo: UROC

Canada's Ellie Greenwood celebrates after winning the UROC women's title in 9:04:09 to earn a $5,000 winner's check. Photo: CompetitionImaging.com

Colorado's Scott Jamie celebrates and rehydrates after finishing 12th in 9:38:08. Next year's UROC race will be held in Colorado. Photo: UROC photo

The rolling course featured plenty of steep climbs, including this 15 percent incline. Photo: CompetitionImaging.com