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Black Canyon Ultras
Race Details:
- Location: Mayer, AZ, USA
- Race Date: 02/13/2027
- Race Distances: 100 Kilometer, 50 Kilometer, Ultra Marathon
What This Race Counts Toward:
Western States 100: Yes
UTMB Index: Yes
Black Canyon Ultras Description
The Black Canyon Ultras send trail runners point-to-point across Arizona’s Sonoran Desert on the historic Black Canyon Trail, past saguaro-studded hills and along the Agua Fria River. Held every February and organized by Aravaipa Running, the race offers a 100K and 50K, both net downhill but loaded with rocky, technical footing and sharp climbs that keep the net descent from feeling easy. The 100K is a Golden Ticket race, sending its top three men and women straight into the Western States 100, and both distances count toward the UTMB Index as part of the World Trail Majors series.
Always check the official race website for the most accurate and up-to-date race information and logistics.
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Black Canyon Ultras Additional Details:
Finish the 100K here and you’ll take home a custom buckle engraved with your name and finish time, along with a display case made by Aravaipa Artworx, a genuinely personalized keepsake rather than a mass-produced medal. Aid stations appear every 4.5 to 9 miles with electrolyte drinks and a solid spread of snacks, but this is a cupless race, so runners need their own bottle or flask since disposable cups aren’t offered, a deliberate choice to cut down on trail waste. The route also follows segments of a historic stagecoach road once used between Phoenix and Prescott, adding a layer of frontier history to the technical desert terrain. It’s a race that treats sustainability and craftsmanship as seriously as the mileage.
Course Information
Profile: Hilly
Type: Point to Point
Surface: Trails
Pace Groups: No
Time Limit: 20 hours (100k), 12 hours (50K)
# of Finishers
50K: 850 to 900
100K: 750 to 800
Elevation Details
Elevation Gain: 5,254 ft (100K), 1,994 ft (50K)
Elevation Loss: 7,286 ft (100K), 3,917 ft (50K)
Average Temperature
- Low: 33°F
- High: 59°F
Train Smarter for Race Day
A great race starts long before the starting line. Whether you’re chasing your first finish or hunting a new PR, a structured training plan takes the guesswork out of race prep — building your fitness, your confidence, and your mileage at the right pace for you.
Explore plans for every distance and experience level, from your first 5K to your next ultra.
Ultramarathon Training Plans
Explore structured plans across every ultra distance, from your first 50K to 100 miles and beyond.
Things to Do in Mayer, AZ, USA
Make the most of race weekend — here’s how to fill the time before and after you cross the finish line.
Outdoors & Trails
Black Canyon Trail
Hike or bike a segment of the Black Canyon Trail, an 80-mile National Recreation Trail passing near Mayer — an easy option for tapering or recovering legs after race day.
Museums & History
Cañon School Museum
Learn about pioneers like Jack Swilling, founder of Phoenix, at the Cañon School Museum in Black Canyon City — an easy, indoor, low-impact stop after race day.
Scenic Drives & Viewpoints
Black Canyon Heritage Park
Walk peaceful nature trails through riparian and birding habitats at Black Canyon Heritage Park near Black Canyon City — a relaxed, flat way to spend a rest day.
Landmark
Agua Fria National Monument
Explore ancient Pueblo sites and petroglyphs at Agua Fria National Monument, including Pueblo la Plata, the largest ruin in the monument — an easy, low-impact stop after race weekend.
Hotels & Lodging Near the Black Canyon Ultras
Compare nearby hotels and book your Black Canyon Ultras race-weekend stay in seconds.
Sunrise Running Company may earn a commission if you book through the map below, at no extra cost to you.
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