About This Race
The Black Canyon Ultras is a premier point-to-point race through Arizona's rugged Sonoran Desert, following the historic Black Canyon National Recreation Trail from Mayer to New River. Renowned for its high-stakes status as a Golden Ticket qualifier for the Western States 100, the course challenges runners with technical singletrack, iconic saguaro forests, and multiple river crossings.
What Makes It Unique
- The race serves as a prestigious Golden Ticket event, granting top finishers automatic entry into the world-famous Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run.
- The course follows a historic National Recreation Trail that originated as a 1,000-year-old Indigenous trade path and later became a federally designated livestock driveway in 1919.
- While the race is a net-downhill course, it is notoriously deceptive due to rocky technical terrain and multiple crossings of the Agua Fria River that can swell rapidly with seasonal snowmelt.
Race Videos
Black Canyon Ultras 100K Trail Race | Race Recap 2022
by Totally Runnable
2024 Black Canyon 100K Highlights 🌵 The Most Competitive American Ultramarathon Ever?
by Singletrack
My First 100k - The Black Canyon 100k Race Recap
by Jason van der Merwe
TALES FROM THE MID PACK | 2023 Black Canyon 100K
by Ultra Kraut Running
RACE RECAP - Black Canyon Ultras 2024
by World Trail Majors
BLACK CANYON 100K COURSE PREVIEW PT. 1 | Mayer to Gloriana Aid
by Vivsvibe
BLACK CANYON 100K: COURSE PREVIEW
by The Mocko Show
Black Canyon Ultras | Course Preview | Start to Bumble Bee
by Aravaipa Running
Training for Black Canyon 100K Ultra Marathon | Chapter One: Goals and Stuff
by Serious Runner
Media Coverage
2025 Black Canyon 100k Results: Seth Ruhling and Riley Brady Destroy Course Records
iRunFar
A detailed breakdown of the 2025 race results where Seth Ruhling and Riley Brady set massive new course records and earned Golden Tickets to the Western States 100.
Black Canyon Recap: Race Shapers, Carb Failures, and Top Performances!
Singletrack Podcast
A post-race analysis of the 2025 edition, discussing high-carb fueling strategies, standout performances from Seth Ruhling and Riley Brady, and the tactical 'race shapers' of the event.
Black Canyon Ultras | Race History and Course Guide
Aravaipa Running
The official guide to the race, detailing the history of the Black Canyon National Recreation Trail as a 1919 livestock driveway and providing essential technical course profiles.
Riley Brady and Seth Ruhling Shatter Records at Black Canyon 100k
The Ultra Minute
A concise summary of the record-breaking 2025 event, featuring quotes from winners Seth Ruhling and Riley Brady about their race execution and the heat management challenges.
2025 Black Canyon 100K Preview | Analysis, Storylines, Predictions
Singletrack Podcast
A deep-dive preview of the 2025 elite fields, analyzing the competitiveness of the 'super' Golden Ticket event and predicting the top contenders for the men's and women's podiums.
2024 Black Canyon 100k Results: Hayden Hawks Breaks Course Record and Rachel Drake Takes the Win
iRunFar
Comprehensive coverage of the 2024 event where Hayden Hawks set a new men's course record and Rachel Drake secured the women's victory.
Race Director Chronicles: Jubilee Paige and Aravaipa Running
iRunFar
An in-depth profile and interview with Race Director Jubilee Paige, covering the unique logistical and environmental challenges of managing the Black Canyon Ultras.
Black Canyon Recap: Race Shapers, Carb Failures, and Top Performances!
Singletrack Podcast
A deep-dive podcast episode recapping the highlights, gear choices, and elite performances from the 2025 Black Canyon 100k and 50k races.
Episode 45: Black Canyon 100k Recap with Katie Asmuth
Free Trail
A deep dive into the race weekend experience, focusing on nutrition, fueling strategies, and lessons learned from the 100K distance.
Rachel Drake and Hayden Hawks win Black Canyon
The Running Dutchman
Coverage of the 2024 race highlights, including Hayden Hawks' record-setting run and Rachel Drake's victory.
Reaching New Heights: A Conversation with Riley Brady
iRunFar
An in-depth profile and interview with Riley Brady that explores their professional journey and the unfinished business that led to their dominant 2025 performance.
MassUltra Roundup: Black Canyon, Algonquin, and Last Skier Standing
MassUltra
A regional roundup highlighting the performance of East Coast athletes at the Black Canyon Ultras, including Joe McConaughy's successful hunt for a Golden Ticket.
Hayden Hawks captures Black Canyon 100K course record
Canadian Running Magazine
Coverage of the 2024 race highlighting Hayden Hawks' triumphant return from injury and his record-breaking victory.
Race Insights
Pro Tips
- • Save your quads by not over-pacing the net downhill in the first 20 miles
- • Wear gaiters to prevent volcanic rock and sand from entering your shoes
- • Prioritize high electrolyte intake to combat the dry Arizona heat and high sweat rates
- • Utilize ice bandanas or cooling buffs at aid stations to manage core temperature
- • Train on rocky terrain to prepare for the technical nature of the Black Canyon Trail
- • Prepare for the river crossing by testing shoes that drain water efficiently
- • Carry extra water between the long stretches of exposed trail where temperatures rise significantly
Challenging Sections
- • The technical descent into the canyon following the Bumble Bee aid station
- • The Agua Fria River crossing at approximately mile 37
- • The exposed and sandy segments between Black Canyon City and Cottonwood
- • The relentless rolling hills and technical single track leading into Table Mesa
Course Highlights
- • Expansive views of the Bradshaw Mountains
- • Dense groves of Saguaro cacti throughout the Sonoran Desert
- • The crossing of the Agua Fria River
- • The rugged and historic Black Canyon National Recreation Trail
DNF Risks
- • Quad failure caused by the aggressive downhill start on the first half of the course
- • Heat exhaustion or dehydration due to high exposure and rising afternoon temperatures
- • Missing the strict time cutoffs at the Table Mesa aid station
- • Severe blisters or foot maceration following the river crossing