Point-to-point 100K on the Black Canyon National Recreation Trail from Mayer High School (Spring Valley, AZ) to the Emery Henderson Trailhead (New River, AZ), net downhill but with the toughest, most technical climbing and descending in the final third. A Western States 100 Golden Ticket race and general WSER lottery qualifier.
Course description in the runner's own words: the first ~20 miles are fast and downhill and tempt runners out too hard; most of the climbing, steep descents and rocky technical terrain come in the final miles after the Black Canyon City aid station. Major creek crossings between miles 28-45, the largest at mile 34 (an alternate rock-hopping route is marked when wet). Three points where the marked route briefly diverts from the Black Canyon Trail itself: through Bumble Bee Ranch, through Deep Canyon Ranch, and a mandatory out-and-back at the Black Canyon City aid station.
Point-to-point 100K and 50K ultramarathons on the Black Canyon National Recreation Trail through Arizona's Sonoran Desert, both starting at Mayer High School in Spring Valley, AZ. The 100K (Saturday) finishes at the Emery Henderson Trailhead near New River; the 50K (Sunday) finishes at Deep Canyon Ranch near Black Canyon City. Race directed by Aravaipa Running, presented by HOKA, and a Western States 100 Golden Ticket race.
First run in 2014. Originally paired the 100K with a 60K second distance; the second distance was later changed to a 50K (the site's own Course Records section separately lists a retired '60K (Old Course)' record, last set 2024). A 'High Water Reroute Course' record also exists from 2019, indicating the course has been altered at least once for high water on the Agua Fria/Black Canyon crossings. Became a Western States 100 Golden Ticket race and, per the race page and UltraSignup listing, joined the World Trail Majors collection.
| Mile | Station | Cutoff | Crew | Bag | Pacer | Med | To next |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.00 | Start - Mayer High School | ? | ● | ● | ? | ? | 7.70 |
| 7.70 | Antelope Mesa | 9:15am | · | · | ? | ? | 5.20 |
| 12.90 | Hidden Treasure | 10:45am | · | · | ? | ? | 6.50 |
| 19.40 | Bumble Bee Ranch | 12:45pm | ● | ● | · | ? | 4.60 |
| 24.00 | Gloriana Mine | 2:30pm | · | · | ? | ? | 7.90 |
| 31.90 | Deep Canyon Ranch | 5:00pm | ● | ● | ● | ? | 5.30 |
| 37.20 | Black Canyon City Trailhead | 7:00pm | · | · | ? | ? | 9.20 |
| 46.40 | Cottonwood Gulch | 10:00pm | · | · | ? | ? | 4.70 |
| 51.10 | Table Mesa | 11:30pm | ● | ● | ● | ? | 7.60 |
| 58.70 | Doe Spring | 2:00am | · | · | ? | ? | 3.60 |
| 62.30 | Emery Henderson/Finish | 3:00am | ● | ● | ? | ? | ? |
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