Black Canyon Ultras (Hoka)

Black Canyon Ultras (Hoka) runs on February 13-14, 2027, in Arizona's Sonoran Desert, on the Black Canyon National Recreation Trail. Organized by Aravaipa Running since 2014, it offers a 50K and a 100K, both entirely point to point, from the high school in Mayer to the Emery Henderson Trailhead near New River. The 100K climbs about 5,250 feet and descends roughly 7,300 feet, and the first dozen miles run fast and downhill, which is where many runners spend too much too early.

The stakes are high at the front: the top three men and women in the 100K earn a place at the Western States 100, and finishing under 17 hours qualifies you for its entry lottery. Temperatures can swing widely over the course of a day, so plan layers and drop bags carefully. The trail crosses active grazing land, and runners are expected to close the gates behind them.