Key dates for 2027
Registration is already open. The main deadline to watch is the price rise on 1 December, and the 100K was close to full in mid-October.
- Training run 1
Big Bug Trailhead to Bumble Bee, 18 miles. Free, limited aid, unmarked.
- Price rises
100K to $380 and 50K to $280, before tax and fees.
- Training run 2
Bumble Bee to Black Canyon City, 20 miles.
- Training run 3
Black Canyon City to the finish, 25 miles.
- Registration closes
The race page gives 6 February. UltraSignup shows 1 February, so do not leave it late.
- Early bib pickup
Noon to 5 p.m. at Aravaipa headquarters.
- Expo and bib pickup
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Chilleen's on 17. There is no race-day pickup.
- 100K race day
Waves at 7:00, 7:30 and 8:00 a.m. Mountain time.
- 50K race day
Source: official race website, checked 19 October 2026.
How to get a place
There is no lottery and no qualifier. You register directly on UltraSignup while places last. The 100K entry limit is 1,200, and on 19 October 2026 the registration page showed 71 places left.
You can also run both days. The Black Canyon Echo Challenge pairs the Saturday 100K with the Sunday 50K, scored separately, with a discounted 50K add-on when you register for the 100K.
Prices
With tax and fees, the 100K came to $416.90 at checkout in October. A payment plan is offered through Mountain Outpost.
| Race | Early | From 1 July 2026 | From 1 December 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100K | $350 | $365 | $380 |
| 50K | $250 | $265 | $280 |
If you cannot start
- There are no cash refunds and no transfers to another runner.
- Withdraw in writing 30 or more days before the race for a 75% credit towards another Aravaipa event.
- Between 5 and 29 days out, a 50% credit may be offered for injury or a family emergency, at the organiser's discretion.
- Within four days of the race there is no credit. Pregnancy earns a 100% credit valid for two years.
- You can move up a distance if there is space, but dropping down earns no refund.
Golden Tickets and Western States
Black Canyon is one of six HOKA Golden Ticket races for the 2027 Western States 100. The top three women and top three men qualify automatically. If someone declines or is already entered, the ticket rolls down as far as seventh place. Winners have two weeks to accept.
For everyone else, finishing the full 100K in under 17 hours is a Western States qualifier. Because the 2027 race falls after the 2027 window closed, it counts towards the 2028 lottery.
The course
Black Canyon uses a 55-mile stretch of the Black Canyon Trail, a National Recreation Trail first set aside in 1919 as a livestock driveway. It runs roughly beside the old stagecoach road between Phoenix and Prescott, through singletrack, jeep road and old stagecoach route.
The first three miles leave Spring Valley on paved and dirt roads before joining the trail. The course also leaves the trail briefly at Bumble Bee Ranch and Deep Canyon Ranch, and every 100K runner must complete the out-and-back at Black Canyon City.
Do not trust the profile
On paper it drops more than 2,000 feet, so it looks quick. The race itself warns not to be fooled. The first 20 miles are fast and downhill, and many runners go out too hard. Most of the climbing, steep descents and rocky technical ground come after Black Canyon City, in the second half.
The river
The trail crosses Black Canyon and the Agua Fria River several times between miles 28 and 45. The biggest crossing is at mile 34. Depending on recent rain they can be dry or wet, and when there is water the race marks a rock-hopping route.
High water has changed the race before. In 2017 and 2019 the course was rerouted, which is why the 2019 times sit in a separate records category.
Road crossings, gates and gunfire
Several county roads cross the course without traffic control, at Antelope Mesa, Hidden Treasure, Bumble Bee, Gloriana and Table Mesa. Cattle gates on grazing land must be closed behind you. You may also hear gunfire from public shooting areas near Hidden Treasure, Bumble Bee and Table Mesa. The race says they are well away from the trail.
Aid stations and cutoffs
There are nine aid stations, 4.5 to 9 miles apart. Crews can meet you at three of them: Bumble Bee Ranch, Deep Canyon Ranch and Table Mesa. The finish is reached by shuttle only.
Cutoffs follow your start wave, so a Wave 3 runner has an hour more than Wave 1 at every station. The longest gap is the 9 miles from Black Canyon City to Cottonwood Gulch, in the more technical second half.
| Aid station | Mile | Km | Wave 1 cutoff | Crew | Drop bag | Pacer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antelope Mesa | 7.7 | 12.4 | 9:15am | No | No | No |
| Hidden Treasure | 12.9 | 20.8 | 10:45am | No | No | No |
| Bumble Bee Ranch | 19.4 | 31.2 | 12:45pm | Yes | Yes | No |
| Gloriana Mine | 24 | 38.6 | 2:30pm | No | No | No |
| Deep Canyon Ranch | 31.9 | 51.3 | 5:00pm | Yes | Yes | Pacers start here |
| Black Canyon City Trailhead | 37.2 | 59.9 | 7:00pm | No | No | Yes |
| Cottonwood Gulch | 46.4 | 74.7 | 10:00pm | No | No | Yes |
| Table Mesa | 51.1 | 82.2 | 11:30pm | Yes | Yes | Pacer swap |
| Doe Spring | 58.7 | 94.5 | 2:00am | No | No | Yes |
| Emery Henderson (finish) | 62.3 | 100.3 | 3:00am | By shuttle | Yes | No |
Cutoffs shown are for Wave 1 (7:00 a.m.). Add 30 minutes for Wave 2 and an hour for Wave 3. Cutoffs run on gun time for your wave. The race page gives Table Mesa as mile 51.1 in the table and 50.9 elsewhere. Source: official race website, checked 19 October 2026.
Weather and conditions
February in the Sonoran Desert can mean almost anything. The race expects race-morning temperatures to dip into the 30s°F, with afternoon heat later on, and warns of the occasional thunderstorm or even snow. In 2024 overnight snow pushed the start back to 9:30 a.m. and cut the waves from three to two.
Sunset is around 6 p.m., so most runners finish in the dark. Leave a warm-up layer at the start: those bags are taken to the finish.
Rules that shape your plan
Crew and pacers
- Crews can help only between green and red flags at each crew station. Beyond the red flag there is no aid at all. This rule was new in 2026 and applies to pacers too.
- Pacers are allowed in the 100K only, from Deep Canyon Ranch at mile 31.9. One pacer at a time, with a swap allowed at Table Mesa.
- Pacers must be on foot, wear a pacer bib and sign a waiver. They cannot carry supplies for you.
Kit and the trail
- Black Canyon is cupless. Carry your own bottle, cup or bladder. Hot cups are given out for coffee, broth and soup only.
- Poles are allowed.
- There is no published mandatory kit list, but you will need a light. The race suggests putting one in your drop bag at Bumble Bee if you expect 18 to 20 hours, Deep Canyon Ranch for 14 to 18 hours, or Table Mesa for 11 to 14 hours.
- Drop bags are allowed at Bumble Bee Ranch, Deep Canyon Ranch, Table Mesa and the finish.
- Littering, including fruit peel and toilet paper, can get you disqualified.
- If you stop during the 100K you cannot claim a 50K finish. Drop at an aid station and tell the captain.
Records
Both 100K records fell in 2026. Hans Troyer ran 7:20:00, and Jennifer Lichter ran 7:57:05 to win by 70 seconds, the farthest she had ever raced at the time. Four months later she broke the Western States course record too.
| Record | Runner | Time | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women's 100K | Jennifer Lichter | 7:57:05 | 2026 |
| Men's 100K | Hans Troyer | 7:20:00 | 2026 |
| Women's 50K | Allison Baca | 3:45:09 | 2025 |
| Men's 50K | Seth Ruhling | 3:16:29 | 2026 |
| High-water reroute, women (2019) | Kaci Lickteig | 8:38:38 | 2019 |
| High-water reroute, men (2019) | Matt Daniels | 7:20:28 | 2019 |
Source: official race website, checked 19 October 2026.
Results
At the 2026 race, on 14 February, Golden Tickets went to Anthony Costales, Tracen Knopp and Jordan Bramblett, and to Jennifer Lichter, Anne Flower and Olympic marathon bronze medallist Molly Seidel, who took hers on roll-down because Tara Dower was already entered.
| Place | Women | Time | Men | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jennifer Lichter | 7:57:05 | Hans Troyer | 7:20:00 |
| 2 | Anne Flower | 7:57:59 | Anthony Costales | 7:24:32 |
| 3 | Tara Dower | 8:11:46 | Tracen Knopp | 7:26:45 |
| 4 | Molly Seidel | 8:25:13 | Canyon Woodward | 7:37:27 |
| 5 | Abby Hall | 8:27:50 | Jordan Bramblett | 7:42:32 |
| 6 | Shea Aquilano | 8:34:03 | Ferdinand Airault | 7:47:25 |
Past winners
| Year | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Riley Brady, 8:16:18 | Seth Ruhling, 7:24:55 |
| 2024 | Rachel Drake, 8:47:23 | Hayden Hawks, 7:30:18 |
| 2023 | Keely Henninger, 8:45:30 | Anthony Costales, 7:32:50 |
| 2022 | Clare Gallagher, 9:06:21 | Trueheart Brown, 7:57:27 |
| 2021 | Brittany Peterson, 8:48:32 | Tyler Green, 8:06:33 |
How many finish
The race has grown quickly. These are 100K finishers from the official UltraSignup results.
| Year | Finishers | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 765 | 205 | 559 |
| 2025 | 776 | 227 | 549 |
| 2024 | 740 | 222 | 518 |
| 2023 | 705 | 187 | 518 |
| 2022 | 516 | 167 | 349 |
| 2021 | 364 | 100 | 264 |
History
Black Canyon is run by Aravaipa Running, the Arizona race company Jamil Coury started in 2009. The first edition was in 2014. For years it paired the 100K with a 60K, which was replaced in 2025 by a 50K covering the first half of the 100K course.
It was already a Golden Ticket race for Western States by 2017, then with two tickets per gender, and now offers three. It is also part of the World Trail Majors series, which is separate from UTMB, so it carries no UTMB Running Stones.
Training for Black Canyon
Train for two races in one. The first 20 miles reward relaxed, efficient downhill running on smooth trail. The second half asks for climbing and careful footing on rocky ground when your legs are already tired. Practise running well after a fast start, not just running fast.
Heat matters even in February, so be ready for a cold start and a warm afternoon. The three free training runs cover most of the course in sections and are the easiest way to see the technical second half before race day.
Getting there and race day
There is no parking at the start. Park at the Outlets at Anthem in north Phoenix and take the free shuttle. Buses leave at 5:45, 6:20 and 6:45 a.m. for the three waves, and if you miss yours you start in a later wave.
There is no parking at the finish either. Free shuttles run between the finish and Anthem, about ten minutes away, from 1 p.m. on Saturday. There is no shuttle back to the start, so plan to leave your car at Anthem.
Camping is available at Deep Canyon Ranch with a permit bought during registration, and the race lists discounted hotels through its booking partner.
Crewing and watching
Crews park near the start at the church and pharmacy lots north-west of the school, then drive to Bumble Bee Ranch, Deep Canyon Ranch and Table Mesa. Stay inside the flagged area and do not block public roads.
Aravaipa runs live tracking and a YouTube livestream of the front of the race. In 2026 that included shows before the race and dedicated coverage of the Golden Ticket battle.
Running for good at Black Canyon
Volunteers earn race credits as well as a shirt, and roles range from aid stations to course sweep and the livestream crew. The race also encourages trail work with the Black Canyon Trail Coalition, with work days planned for December, January and February.
Going cupless keeps paper cups off the course, and aid stations have recycling and TerraCycle bins. Aravaipa also publishes a transgender and non-binary runner policy and offers a non-binary podium when numbers allow.
Questions people ask
When is the 2027 Black Canyon 100K?
Saturday 13 February 2027, with waves at 7:00, 7:30 and 8:00 a.m. The 50K is on Sunday 14 February.
How long is the Black Canyon 100K?
62.2 miles, with about 5,219 feet of climbing and 7,337 feet of descent.
Is Black Canyon a lottery?
No. Registration is first come, first served on UltraSignup. The 100K had 71 places left on 19 October 2026.
How much does Black Canyon cost?
$365 for the 100K until 30 November 2026, then $380, plus tax and UltraSignup fees.
How many Golden Tickets does Black Canyon give?
Six: the top three women and top three men, rolling down to seventh place if needed.
Is Black Canyon a Western States qualifier?
Yes, if you finish the full 100K in under 17 hours. The February 2027 race counts towards the 2028 lottery.
What is the cutoff?
20 hours for the 100K and 11 hours for the 50K, on gun time for your wave.
Is Black Canyon a UTMB race?
No. It is part of the World Trail Majors series and does not award UTMB Running Stones.
Can I have a pacer?
In the 100K only, from Deep Canyon Ranch at mile 31.9. One pacer at a time, with a swap allowed at Table Mesa.
Do I need my own cup?
Yes. The race is cupless, apart from hot drinks and soup.
Sources
Race details come from the Aravaipa Running race page and registration page, checked on 19 October 2026. Results and finisher counts are from UltraSignup, with iRunFar for race stories. The race page and UltraSignup disagree on the registration closing date, so we give both. Running for Good Ultra is independent and has no connection with Aravaipa Running.
- Aravaipa Running: Black Canyon Ultras race page checked 19 October 2026
- UltraSignup: 2027 registration checked 19 October 2026
- Aravaipa Running: refund and transfer policy checked 19 October 2026
- Aravaipa Running: FAQ checked 19 October 2026
- Western States: HOKA Golden Ticket races checked 19 October 2026
- Western States: qualifying races checked 19 October 2026
- World Trail Majors: Black Canyon Ultras checked 19 October 2026
- UltraSignup: 2026 100K results checked 19 October 2026
- iRunFar: 2026 Black Canyon 100K results checked 19 October 2026
- CalTopo: official 100K course map checked 19 October 2026
- Aravaipa Running: broadcasts checked 19 October 2026
- Aravaipa Running: about checked 19 October 2026
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