Black Canyon Ultras route map
raceindex.org has a GPS course file for Black Canyon Ultras, so runners can inspect the route line on the map. Elevation charts and ascent figures appear only when that file includes usable elevation data.
Black Canyon Ultras Ultramarathon
This race edition
- Race date
- Date not confirmed for this distance
- Race timezone
- Timezone not confirmed
- Edition status
- Status not confirmed
Entry options
2027 edition
Entry options are not yet confirmed for this edition. Check the organiser before making plans.
Decision summary
Black Canyon Ultras Ultramarathon at a glance
- Cut-off average pace
- 10:10/km
- Typical conditions
- 88/100
- Evidence depth
- 53 verified facts
17:00:00 total limit divided by distance. Check gun/chip timing and intermediate limits; allow time for stops.
Historical race-date favourability, not a forecast
Stored GPS route
Quick answers
What runners ask first
How hilly is the Black Canyon Ultras?
The Black Canyon Ultras is described as net downhill. The course listing puts the climb at 1,582 m. The course notes also call it the opening ~20 miles are net downhill with fast, flowing singletrack and jeep roads that can tempt runners into going out too hard.
Where does the Black Canyon Ultras route go?
The Black Canyon Ultras route starts at Both the 100K and 50K start at Mayer High School in Spring Valley, Arizona (7:00 AM starts) and finishes at 100K finishes at the Emery Henderson Trailhead near New River, Arizona. 50K finishes at Deep Canyon Ranch near Black Canyon City. Underfoot, expect non-motorized Black Canyon Trail (a National Recreation Trail): a mixture of fast, flowing single-track, jeep roads, and sections of an old stagecoach route originally a Native American travel corridor and later a livestock driveway. It passes Black Canyon National Recreation Trail, Sonoran Desert, Bradshaw Mountains, Antelope Mesa and Bumble Bee Ranch. It is one of the most prominent early-season trail ultras in North America.
What should runners know on race day for the Black Canyon Ultras?
9.
Race character
Scenery
- Desert
- Riverside
- Canyon
- Countryside
- Coastal
- Mountain
Atmosphere
- Wilderness
- Competitive
- Destination
Terrain
- Road
- Trail
- Mixed
- Elevation character
- Net Downhill
- Technicality
- Technical
- Source-stated ascent
- 1,582 m
- Net elevation
- -567 m
Entry, logistics and records
Records and field
- Men's course record
- 7:20:00 (Hans Troyer)
- Women's course record
- 7:57:05 (Jennifer Lichter)
Entry requirements
- Entry status
- Qualification entry: Entry requirement held: sub-17:00 for Western States 100 qualification.
- Cut-off
- Black Canyon 100K overall cutoff is 17 hours.
- Qualification status
- The 100K is a Western States 100 qualifier (finish under 17 hours qualifies for the WSER lottery) and a HOKA Golden Ticket race awarding automatic Western States entry to the top three men and top three women. The 50K is not a qualifier.
- Qualifying time
- sub-17:00 for Western States 100 qualification
Race day logistics
- Aid stations
- 9
Access and course status
- Start
- Both the 100K and 50K start at Mayer High School in Spring Valley, Arizona (7:00 AM starts).
- Finish
- 100K finishes at the Emery Henderson Trailhead near New River, Arizona. 50K finishes at Deep Canyon Ranch near Black Canyon City.
Course facts
- Course type
- Point To Point
- Surface
- Non Motorized Black Canyon Trail (a National Recreation Trail): a mixture of fast, flowing single Track, jeep roads, and sections of an old stagecoach route originally a Native American travel corridor and later a livestock driveway.
- Landmarks
- Black Canyon National Recreation Trail, Sonoran Desert, Bradshaw Mountains, Antelope Mesa, Bumble Bee Ranch, Gloriana Mine, Deep Canyon Ranch, Black Canyon City Trailhead, Cottonwood Gulch, Table Mesa, Doe Spring, Agua Fria River, Emery Henderson Trailhead, New River
- Notable features
- Presented by HOKA. The 100K is a HOKA Golden Ticket race: the top three female and top three male finishers earn automatic entry to the Western States 100. It is one of the most prominent early-season trail ultras in North America
- Course winds through classic Sonoran Desert landscape dotted with saguaro and cholla cacti, crosses creeks through Black Canyon and the Agua Fria River (dry rocky washes or flowing water requiring rock-hopping depending on conditions), and passes through active cattle grazing areas
- The opening ~20 miles are net downhill with fast, flowing singletrack and jeep roads that can tempt runners into going out too hard
What are typical race-day conditions?
- 13°CTypical temperature
- 17 kphTypical wind
- 2 mmTypical rainfall
- 88Favourability /100