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Built on bad decisions in Boulder, CO.

Black Canyon Ultras 50K

Basic Listing
  1. Aravaipa Running
  2. 2027 Edition

Fast Sonoran Desert singletrack from canyon to canyon

Directions
Registration OpensApril 01, 2026
Register

Nearby races

Other trail races within 188 miles

Black Canyon Ultras 100K

Black Canyon Ultras 100K

100K
Spring Valley, AZ, US
Feb 13, 2027
62.86 miles
4,670 ft gain
Point to Point
Crew
Pacers
Dropbags
Cocodona 250

Cocodona 250

250 Mile
Black Canyon City, AZ, US
May 4, 2026
252.9 miles
38,790 ft gain
Point to Point
Crew
Pacers
Dropbags
27 mi away
Mogollon Monster 100 Mile
Qualifier Req
Service Req

Mogollon Monster 100 Mile

100 Mile
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Sep 12, 2026
102.28 miles
15,900 ft gain
Point to Point
Crew
Pacers
Dropbags
40 mi away
Javelina Jundred 100 Mile

Javelina Jundred 100 Mile

100 Mile
Fountain Hills, AZ, US
Oct 31, 2026
100 miles
6,300 ft gain
Multiple Loops
Crew
Pacers
Dropbags
54 mi away
Utah 115 Mile

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100 Mile
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115 miles
11,570 ft gain
Out and Back
Crew
Pacers
Dropbags
188 mi away
All trail races in Arizona→
February 14, 2027
Sunday 7:00am MDT start
Spring Valley, AZ
United States
32.4 miles
Loop Course
1,710 ft
Elevation Gain
Historical weather
37°F / 59°FLo/Hi Temp
39%Cloud Cover
0% (0.05 in)Precipitation
13 mphWind Speed
40%Humidity
7:15 AMSunrise
6:10 PMSunset
Open Registration
No lottery
No Service Requirement
Does not require trail or volunteer work
No Qualifier
No qualifier race required
Challenging
Some ultra experience recommended
Links
Website
2014
Established
1200
Field Size
3:16 M / 3:45 W
Course Record

What Makes It Great

A fast, net-downhill point-to-point on the Black Canyon National Recreation Trail, the 50K covers 32 miles from Spring Valley south to Deep Canyon Ranch through the heart of the Sonoran Desert. Open canyon views, rolling desert singletrack, and a manageable elevation profile make this an accessible yet rewarding desert race. No pacers are allowed, but six well-stocked aid stations and crew access at two points keep runners supported throughout.

Difficulty

Intermediate
4/10

Some ultra experience recommended

Technical Terrain
Technical Descent
Sun Exposure
Strict Cutoffs

Race Highlights

Net-downhill desert traverse
32 miles losing nearly 4,000 feet from Spring Valley to Deep Canyon Ranch on desert singletrack
Historic Black Canyon Trail
Runs a section of the 80-mile Black Canyon National Recreation Trail, a corridor with roots in Native American trade, livestock droves, and stagecoach history
Blazing fast course record
Course record of 3:16 for 32 miles of net-downhill desert trail makes this a favorite for competitive finish times
World Trail Majors event
Part of the Gran Canaria World Trail Majors — a curated series of bucket-list trail races from around the world

Finish Awards

Finisher Medal
Custom wooden finisher medal designed by Aravaipa Artworx. Top 3 male and female finishers also receive podium awards.

Black Canyon Ultras 50K

Spring Valley, AZ, United StatesFebruary 14, 2027

February 14, 2027
Course map for Black Canyon Ultras 50K
DistDistance32.4 mi
GainElevation Gain1,710 ft
LimitCutoff11 h
Technical DescentSun ExposureStrict Cutoffs

Entry Timeline

Registration OpensApril 01, 2026
Race DayFebruary 14, 2027

Lottery

This event uses open registration - no lottery entry required.

Qualifier

This event does not require a qualifier for entry.

Service Requirement

This race does not have a service requirement for entry.

Terrain

Surface Types
Singletrack65%
Doubletrack20%
Gravel Road10%
Pavement5%
32.4 mi
Distance
Loop
Route
11h
Cutoff Time
3,002 ft
Average Elevation
1,710 ft
Total Ascent
3,720 ft
Total Descent
4,190 ft
High Point
1,991 ft
Low Point
Course map
Launch Course Explorer

Aid Stations

LocationMileElevation
Start
Start
0.03,999 ft
Antelope Mesa Aid
Aid Station
7.73,940 ft
Hidden Treasure Mine Aid
Aid Station
12.93,022 ft
Bumble Bee Ranch Aid
Aid Station
19.42,520 ft
Gloriana Mine Aid
Aid Station
24.02,707 ft
Finish
Finish
32.41,991 ft

Sign in to see cutoffs, crew access, drop bags, and services for every aid station.

On-Site Camping Available

Crew Access Points

Pacer Rules

No Pacers Allowed

Crew Rules

  • Crew access at Bumble Bee Ranch (mile 19.4) and Deep Canyon Ranch finish (mile 31.9). Crews must follow colored flag boundaries at each aid station — assistance permitted only between green and red flags.
Daylight
10h 55m
7:15 AM6:10 PM
59°F / 37°F
Temperature Hi/Lo
0% (0.05 in)
Precipitation
13 mph
Wind
40%
Humidity
39%
Cloud Cover
Based on historical averages for February 14
High UV Exposure

Open Sonoran Desert terrain with minimal shade — sun exposure can be significant even in February

Rapid Weather Changes

February conditions range from warm afternoon temperatures to cool desert evenings, with wide day-to-night temperature swings

Gear Rules

Trekking poles allowed

Required Gear

No required gear specified

Recommended Gear

No recommended gear specified

Videos from other Black Canyon Ultras events

The Kid — Hans Troyer Documentary
The Kid — Hans Troyer Documentary
Black Canyon Ultras 100K
Pace the Dream•2025

Race reports from other Black Canyon Ultras events

Black Canyon Ultras 100K Race ReportBlack Canyon Ultras 100K
By Team RunRun • 2024
Race Report — 2023 Black Canyon 100KBlack Canyon Ultras 100K
By Ultra Kraut Running • 2023

Reviews

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Reviews from other Black Canyon Ultras events

5.0
1 review
100% recommended
5
1
4
0
3
0
2
0
1
0
Stephen G.
March 20, 2026
Recommends

I've start this race 4 times and finished 3 times... and I'm not done. Love it. Fast, runnable, warm. Overall great race. Near and dear to my heart.

Black Canyon Ultras 100K2022 Edition
Register•February 14, 2027