Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon vs Volvic Volcanic Experience (VVX) Ultramarathon
A data-led head-to-head using sourced race facts and available derived figures under one published methodology.
Data current as ofWestern States Endurance Run Ultramarathon or Volvic Volcanic Experience (VVX) Ultramarathon — which comes out ahead?
Volvic Volcanic Experience (VVX) Ultramarathon has the stronger available profile on flat grade share and conditions.
Route comparison snapshot
Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon
- Mapped route
- Held
- Elevation profile
- Held
- course flatness
- 5.7%
- flat grade share
- 19.8%
- lower ascent
- 4,960 m
- climbing density
- 30.8 m/km
- net elevation
- -1,506 m
- maximum grade
- 39.2%
Volvic Volcanic Experience (VVX) Ultramarathon
- Mapped route
- Held
- Elevation profile
- Held
- course flatness
- Unavailable
- flat grade share
- 22.0% Favoured
- lower ascent
- 7,564 m
- climbing density
- 33.8 m/km
- net elevation
- -664 m
- maximum grade
- 60.6%
| Metric | Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon | Volvic Volcanic Experience (VVX) Ultramarathon |
|---|---|---|
| PB potential | 73/100 | Unavailable |
| Flat grade share | 19.8% | 22.0% ✓ |
| GAP factor (% slower than flat) | 5.7% | Unavailable |
| Uphill share | 32.9% | 35.0% |
| Steep-up share | 21.4% | 20.1% |
| Downhill share | 47.3% | 42.9% |
| Total ascent (m) | 4,960 m | 7,564 m |
| Climbing density (m/km) | 30.8 m/km | 33.8 m/km |
| Longest climb length (m) | 5,560 m | 4,320 m |
| Longest climb gain (m) | 746 m | 623 m |
| Longest climb average grade | 13.4% | 14.4% |
| Total descent (m) | 6,466 m | 8,228 m |
| Net elevation (m) | -1,506 m | -664 m |
| Max absolute grade | 39.2% | 60.6% |
| Start elevation (m) | 1,900 m | 1,239 m |
| Finish elevation (m) | 394 m | 575 m |
| Median finish context (s) | 25:42:15 | Unavailable |
| Beginner-friendliness | 60/100 | Unavailable |
| Scenic score | 100/100 | 100/100 |
| Conditions | 9/100 | 82/100 ✓ |
Flat grade share
- Volvic Volcanic Experience (VVX) Ultramarathon
- 22.0% Favoured
GAP factor (% slower than flat)
Uphill share
Steep-up share
Downhill share
Total ascent (m)
Climbing density (m/km)
Longest climb length (m)
Longest climb gain (m)
Longest climb average grade
Total descent (m)
Net elevation (m)
Max absolute grade
Start elevation (m)
Finish elevation (m)
Median finish context (s)
Beginner-friendliness
Scenic score
Conditions
- Volvic Volcanic Experience (VVX) Ultramarathon
- 82/100 Favoured
Only metrics available for at least one side are shown. A ✓ marks the better value for each metric (higher-is-better aware). Scores are out of 100 when available. Ascent, climbing density, max absolute grade and median finish describe course or field context and are not marked as better or worse.
Race facts that change the decision
| Fact | Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon | Volvic Volcanic Experience (VVX) Ultramarathon |
|---|---|---|
| Schedule | Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2026-06-27 (legacy event-level date). | Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2026-05-14 (legacy event-level date). |
| Location | Olympic Valley to Auburn, California | Volvic, France |
| Actual distance | 161 km | 224 km |
| raceindex.org mapped route held | Held | Held |
| raceindex.org elevation profile held | Held | Held |
| Course type | Point To Point | Unavailable |
| Surface | Trail | Trail |
| Elevation character | Mountainous | Mountainous |
| Terrain | Trail | Trail |
| Scenery | Mountain, Riverside, Historic, Forest, Canyon | Historic, Parkland, Mountain, Forest, Lakeside, Countryside |
| Atmosphere | Unavailable | Wilderness, Destination, Scenic Tour |
| Technicality | Very Technical | Technical |
| Total ascent | 4,960 m | 7,564 m |
| Climbing density | 30.8 m/km | 33.8 m/km |
| Total descent | 6,466 m | 8,228 m |
| Net elevation | -1,506 m | -664 m |
| Max absolute grade | 39.2% | 60.6% |
| Flat grade share | 19.8% | 22.0% |
| GAP factor | 5.7% | Unavailable |
| Cutoff | 30:00:00 | Unavailable |
| Field cap | 369 | Unavailable |
| Latest finishers | 322 | Unavailable |
| Entry model | Ballot | Open |
Schedule
- Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon
Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2026-06-27 (legacy event-level date).
- Volvic Volcanic Experience (VVX) Ultramarathon
Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2026-05-14 (legacy event-level date).
Location
- Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon
- Olympic Valley to Auburn, California
- Volvic Volcanic Experience (VVX) Ultramarathon
- Volvic, France
Actual distance
- Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon
- 161 km
- Volvic Volcanic Experience (VVX) Ultramarathon
- 224 km
raceindex.org mapped route held
- Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon
- Held
- Volvic Volcanic Experience (VVX) Ultramarathon
- Held
raceindex.org elevation profile held
- Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon
- Held
- Volvic Volcanic Experience (VVX) Ultramarathon
- Held
Course type
- Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon
- Point To Point
- Volvic Volcanic Experience (VVX) Ultramarathon
- Unavailable
Surface
- Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon
- Trail
- Volvic Volcanic Experience (VVX) Ultramarathon
- Trail
Elevation character
- Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon
- Mountainous
- Volvic Volcanic Experience (VVX) Ultramarathon
- Mountainous
Terrain
- Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon
- Trail
- Volvic Volcanic Experience (VVX) Ultramarathon
- Trail
Scenery
- Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon
- Mountain, Riverside, Historic, Forest, Canyon
- Volvic Volcanic Experience (VVX) Ultramarathon
- Historic, Parkland, Mountain, Forest, Lakeside, Countryside
Atmosphere
- Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon
- Unavailable
- Volvic Volcanic Experience (VVX) Ultramarathon
- Wilderness, Destination, Scenic Tour
Technicality
- Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon
- Very Technical
- Volvic Volcanic Experience (VVX) Ultramarathon
- Technical
Total ascent
- Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon
- 4,960 m
- Volvic Volcanic Experience (VVX) Ultramarathon
- 7,564 m
Climbing density
- Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon
- 30.8 m/km
- Volvic Volcanic Experience (VVX) Ultramarathon
- 33.8 m/km
Total descent
- Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon
- 6,466 m
- Volvic Volcanic Experience (VVX) Ultramarathon
- 8,228 m
Net elevation
- Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon
- -1,506 m
- Volvic Volcanic Experience (VVX) Ultramarathon
- -664 m
Max absolute grade
- Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon
- 39.2%
- Volvic Volcanic Experience (VVX) Ultramarathon
- 60.6%
Flat grade share
- Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon
- 19.8%
- Volvic Volcanic Experience (VVX) Ultramarathon
- 22.0%
GAP factor
- Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon
- 5.7%
- Volvic Volcanic Experience (VVX) Ultramarathon
- Unavailable
Cutoff
- Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon
- 30:00:00
- Volvic Volcanic Experience (VVX) Ultramarathon
- Unavailable
Field cap
- Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon
- 369
- Volvic Volcanic Experience (VVX) Ultramarathon
- Unavailable
Latest finishers
- Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon
- 322
- Volvic Volcanic Experience (VVX) Ultramarathon
- Unavailable
Entry model
- Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon
- Ballot
- Volvic Volcanic Experience (VVX) Ultramarathon
- Open
Facts are shown only when they exist in the sourced race record; Not held means no sourced value is held for that race.