Races
Black Canyon 50K
The first half of Black Canyon 100K. Spring Valley to the desert floor before the real beatdown starts.
32.2 mi+5,591 ft-7,592 ft12 hours1,991 ft to 4,216 fttech 8/10Checkpoints per race bookpoint to pointEcho Challenge add-onWorld Trail MajorsFebruary
Distance32.2 mi
Gain+5,591 ft
Loss-7,592 ft
Altitude1,991 ft to 4,216 ft
Technicality8/10
Air32°F to 85°F
- Start3,993 ft
- High4,216 ft
- Low1,991 ft
- Finish1,991 ft
- Bumble Bee Ranch at mile 19, cutoff 6.25 hours
- Deep Canyon Finish at mile 32, cutoff 12 hours
Terrain
Field, 2026 · 3-year sampleresults
Starters922
Finish rate92%
Median6:41
Sub-24850
Geometrycourse math
Steepest drop548 ft-5.5% over 1.9 mi
Course records
Men3:16:29Seth Ruhling
Women3:45:09Allison Baca
The cruxNet downhill quads (near mile 21)
Course DNA
The Course
Black Canyon 50K runs 32.2 mi through Spring Valley to Black Canyon City, Arizona. +5,591 ft gain and -7,592 ft loss. Surfaces skew 85% trail / 12% jeep / 3% paved. Net downhill quads. High point near 4,216 ft. Low near 1,991 ft. February temps run 32°F to 85°F. The course rewards patience early and punishes rushed descents after mile 16.
The Work
Train for 5,591 feet of climbing across 32.2 mi. Back-to-back long runs on trail. Practice power-hiking grades above 15 percent. 12 hours total means limited margin: rehearse fueling every 45 to 60 minutes and downhill eccentric work weekly. Technicality 8/10. Build a block that simulates the crux near mile 21.
Kit
February in Spring Valley to Black Canyon City, Arizona: plan for 32°F to 85°F. Mandatory shell if rain is in forecast. Headlamp with spare batteries if 12 hours pushes past dark. Poles help on sustained climbs above mile 8. Vest capacity for 2 liters minimum. Shoes matched to 85% trail: lugs for mud, rock plate if the course turns technical after mile 16.
Race Day
Hold effort through mile 8. The field often splits on the first big climb after mile 16. Net downhill quads near mile 21 is where time is won or lost. Walk the steep pinches. Run the flats and gentle downhills. Crew at major aids: socks, calories, ice if hot. Transitions under 5 minutes when possible. Final third is 11 miles of fatigue management. Finish with reserve for the last descent.
Results
Black Canyon 50K finish lines.
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Sources (2)
- Field stats (2026): https://ultrasignup.com/results_event.aspx?did=125777
- Course record (F): https://ultrasignup.com/results_event.aspx?did=115593