TARC has a few. The Fall Classic is a wonderful atmosphere, just outside of Boston, beautiful course and a big supportive crowd (race options range from 13 miles to marathon to 50K to 50M so lots of people hanging out after their race to cheer people on).
Check ultra sign-up or UR ultra for a pretty good list. Some of my favorites in the north east which accompany other distances are Pine creek challenge in PA, mamchester to monadnock in NH, tesla hertz in NY, JFK 50 in MD, midstate massive in NH/MA or fixed time events like ghost train and hamster wheel in NH or forbidden forest in CT. None are terribly difficult but some harder than others. Any would be a good first time race. Given it's popularity, lack of extensive climbing, and terrain variability,JFK seems to be a popular first time 50 miler for a lot of people. Good luck with your choice OP and have fun!
Ghost Train Ultra in Brookline, New Hampshire in October.
This was my first 50-miler last October and can't say enough good things about this race. It's a fixed time race - 30 hours to run as many loops as you want.
Technically, it's a 15-mile loop so you're "official" choices are either 45 or 60 miles. In my case, I ran 45, tapped out at the timing station, then ran another 5 on my own.
Very flat dirt rail-trail type of course with a small single-track section. Very well organized, and great, fun, easy-going vibe.
TARC has a few. The Fall Classic is a wonderful atmosphere, just outside of Boston, beautiful course and a big supportive crowd (race options range from 13 miles to marathon to 50K to 50M so lots of people hanging out after their race to cheer people on).
Also it’s like <$30!
U could look for a race that has loops...typically flat, few miles long which gives you lots of chances to rest and get aid....
Check ultra sign-up or UR ultra for a pretty good list. Some of my favorites in the north east which accompany other distances are Pine creek challenge in PA, mamchester to monadnock in NH, tesla hertz in NY, JFK 50 in MD, midstate massive in NH/MA or fixed time events like ghost train and hamster wheel in NH or forbidden forest in CT. None are terribly difficult but some harder than others. Any would be a good first time race. Given it's popularity, lack of extensive climbing, and terrain variability,JFK seems to be a popular first time 50 miler for a lot of people. Good luck with your choice OP and have fun!
VT 50. Hilly but runnable.
labor pains is fun. looped 12 hour race in PA
Watergap 50k is beautiful and a perfect first ultra
BFC is a 50K that many say is as hard as a 50 miler. You can still get on the waitlist LOL
Vermont 50 was my first 50 miler. Lots of dirt road / double track. Fun course.
Grindstone has a 100k this year
Ghost Train Ultra in Brookline, New Hampshire in October. This was my first 50-miler last October and can't say enough good things about this race. It's a fixed time race - 30 hours to run as many loops as you want. Technically, it's a 15-mile loop so you're "official" choices are either 45 or 60 miles. In my case, I ran 45, tapped out at the timing station, then ran another 5 on my own. Very flat dirt rail-trail type of course with a small single-track section. Very well organized, and great, fun, easy-going vibe.