BLACK CANYON ULTRAS 2024. WORLD TRAIL MAJORS.

Posted by Corriendo la Vida on February 8, 2024 in black canyon ultras, trail running, trail running 2024, trail running calendar 2024, trail running spain, world trail majors, world trail majors 2024 | Leave a comment

BLACK CANYON ULTRAS 2024. WORLD TRAIL MAJORS. Our ULTRA TRAIL section bring us the news of the Black Canyon Ultras, part of the new World Trail Majors.

The Black Canyon Ultras has grown into one of the premier ultra running events in North America. Pre-race tensions mount in most competitive field in Black Canyon Ultras’ history

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BLACK CANYON ULTRAS 2024. WORLD TRAIL MAJORS.

Playing host to nearly 1500 runners, these point-to-point 100 Km and 60 Km routes traverse the iconic Black Canyon Trail, a non-motorized national trail that features a mixture of singletrack, old jeep roads, and an old stagecoach route. The 2024 Black Canyon 100 Km is the second race on the inaugural World Trail Majors circuit and is also a Golden Ticket Race for the 2024 Western States 100 and a 2025 Western States 100 qualifier.

Black Canyon Trail. The history

The Black Canyon Trail, originally established as a Native American route connecting local communities, the trail gained official recognition in 1919 when the Department of the Interior designated it as a livestock driveway. Over time, it has transformed into an iconic trail system catering to outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds.

In 2004, the Black Canyon Trail Coalition emerged, dedicated to promoting and facilitating the use of this historic trail. Collaborating with government agencies like the Bureau of Land Management, the National Park Service, and the National Forest Service, the coalition worked tirelessly to develop and maintain the trail.

Today, the Black Canyon Trail spans over 80 miles, offering a breathtaking journey through desert mountains. It has become a premier destination for runners, hikers, bikers, and equestrians alike, providing a world-class trail experience immersed in the rugged beauty of the natural landscape.

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Knowing the Black Canyon Ultras

The Black Canyon Ultras, set against the backdrop of the iconic Black Canyon Trail. Following the historic Black Canyon Trail, the course weaves its way along a mix of single-track trails and jeep roads, providing runners with varying terrain.

Throughout the race, participants will encounter several creek crossings, their water levels dependent on recent rainfall, adding an element of unpredictability to the journey. As the race progresses, temperatures rise, and the trail becomes increasingly rugged, particularly in the latter half of the course. Runners must conserve their energy for the final stretch beyond Black Canyon City, where the most demanding climbs, steep descents, and technical terrain await.

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BLACK CANYON ULTRAS.  TWO RACES

We have two races, the 100k and the 60k

BLACK CANYON ULTRAS 2024: THE FAVOURITES

Women elite

The favourites are Heather Jackson (USA, Hoka, ITRA 756)she made an impressive debut on the Ultra running scene in 2023 winning both Javelina Jundred 100 mile and The Canyons Endurance Runs 50 Km. Anna Kacius (USA, Impala, ITRA 717), Rachel Drake (USA; Nike, ITRA 783) previous winner of the Black Canyon 60 Km and winner of the 33 Km race at Anta Hong Kong 100 Ultramarathon. Anna McKenna (Australia, 2XU, ITRA 750), Lucy Bartholomew (Australia, Salomon, ITRA 716) 10th at UTMB 2023.

Other to watch include Shea Aquilano (USA, ITRA 726), Anne-Marie Madden (Canada, Salomon, ITRA 697), Genevieve Asselin Demers (Canada, On, ITRA 684) and Tara Dower (USA, Altra/Ultraspire, ITRA 681).

The course record is currently 8:45:30 set last year by Keely Henninger.

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Men field

The men’s course record was also set last year in a time of 7:32:50 by Anthony Costales. Based on current ITRA statistics the course record could be broken again this year as some of the best USA and International runners take the start line. Our “ones to watch” include: Peiquan You (China, Anta Guanjun, ITRA 877) 2nd Anta Hong Kong 100 just three weeks ago!. Hayden Hawks (Hoka, ITRA 906) already a winner at Black Canyon Ultras in 2020. Eric LiPuma (Adidas Terrex, ITRA 889), Jonathan Rea (Hoka, ITRA 886) 4th at UTMB-CCC 2023 and Cole Watson (Hoka, ITRA 883) 4th Black Canyon Ultra.

Others on the hot list include: Rajpaul Pannu (Hoka Aggies, ITRA 865), Chris Myers (Salomon/Ciele, ITRA 859), Ryan Montgomery (Janji/Ultimate Direction, ITRA 852); Tim Tollefson (Craft, ITRA 830), Ryan Miller (ITRA 824), Makai Clemons (Drymax, ITRA 820), and Noah Dusseau (ITRA 811). Among others!

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BLACK CANYON ULTRAS: CLASIFICATION

MEN

1. Ling Chen 1500
2. Ying Li 1420
3. Yuanyuan Wu 1360
4. Ting Ma 1310
5. Ronghua Deng 1260

WOMEN

1. Guangfu Meng 1500
2. Peiquan You 1420
3. Tyler Green 1360
4. Guidu Qin 1310
5. Guomin Deng 1260

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BLACK CANYON ULTRAS: WHERE AND HOW TO FOLLOW LIVE

There will be updates and live streaming of Black Canyon Ultras from 6.30am to 17:30pm (local times) on Saturday 10th February with details on socialmedia channels.

Streaming according on time zones:

• Phoenix: Saturday – 2024/02/10 – 06:30 > Saturday 17:30
• Quebec: Saturday – 2024/02/10 – 08:30 > Saturday 19:30
• Madeira: Saturday – 2024/02/10 – 13:30 > Sunday 00:30
• Canary Islands: Saturday – 2024/02/10 – 13:30 > Sunday 00:30
• Winchester-UTC: Saturday – 2024/02/10 – 13:30 > Sunday 00:30
• Geneva: Saturday – 2024/02/10 – 14:30 > Sunday 01:30
• Cape Town: Saturday – 2024/02/10 – 15:30 > Sunday 02:30
• Hong Kong: Saturday – 2024/02/10 – 21:30 > Sunday 08:30
• Tokyo: Saturday – 2024/02/10 – 22:30 > Sunday 09:30

WORLD TRAIL MAJORS 2024

1. Hong Kong 100 Ultramarathon: January 18-21, 2024. 102 km, +5314 m. Hong Kong, China. one of the events that internationalized trail running in China
2. Black Canyon Ultras: February 10-11, 2024. 100 km, +1250 m. Phoenix, Arizona, United States. Pure American trail running on old ethnic trails and stagecoaches
3. The North Face Transgrancanaria: February 21-25, 2024. 126 km, +6804 m. Canary Islands, Spain. One of the classics on the world trail running calendar
4. Mt.FUJI 100: April 26-27, 2024. 165 km, +7574 m. Fujiyoshida, Japan. Japanese-style trail running with the great symbolic meaning of the highest mountain in the country
5. MIUT – Madeira Island Ultra-Trail: April 27-28, 2024. 115 km, +7100 m. Madeira, Portugal. Iconic event on the spectacular island of Madeira
6. Swiss Canyon Trail: June 7-9, 2024. 111 km, +5350 m. Val de Travers, Switzerland. Originating in 1994, one of the most relevant tests in Central Europe
7. South Downs Way 100: June 8-9, 2024. 161 km, +3800 m. Winchester, United Kingdom. 100 miles following the historic South Downs Way route is a classic on the British calendar
8. Quebec Mega Trail: July 5-7, 2024. 160 km, +6500 m. Quebec, Canada. Authentic trail running in the mountains near Quebec
9. RMB Ultra-Trail Cape Town: November 22-24, 2024. 166 km, +7516 m. Cape Town, South Africa. Pure mountains next to one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Africa