Races
The Canyons 100
China Wall to Auburn twice the suffering of the 100K. One hundred miles of Western States Trail canyon country. Thirty hours. Four Running Stones.
100 mi+20,391 ft-24,137 ft30 hours582 ft to 5,016 fttech 9/10Checkpoints per race bookUTMB World Series4 Running StonesWestern States qualifierApril
Distance100 mi
Gain+20,391 ft
Loss-24,137 ft
Altitude582 ft to 5,016 ft
Technicality9/10
Air40°F to 95°F
- Start5,016 ft
- High5,016 ft
- Low582 ft
- Finish1,270 ft
- Foresthill at mile 39, cutoff 14 hours
- Finish Auburn at mile 100, cutoff 30 hours
Field, 2026 · 4-year sampleresults
Starters243
Finish rate63%
Median31:06
Sub-2418
Geometrycourse math
Steepest drop1,562 ft-15.7% over 1.9 mi
Course records
Men16:18:13Ferdinand AIRAULT
Women18:33:15Lin CHEN
The cruxBack-to-back canyon nights after Cal Street (near mile 65)
Course DNA
The Course
The Canyons 100 runs 100 mi through Auburn, California. +20,391 ft gain and -24,137 ft loss. Surfaces skew 90% singletrack / 10% dirt road. Back-to-back canyon nights after Cal Street. High point near 5,016 ft. Low near 582 ft. April temps run 40°F to 95°F. The course rewards patience early and punishes rushed descents after mile 50.
The Work
Train for 20,391 feet of climbing across 100 mi. Back-to-back long runs on similar surfaces. Practice power-hiking grades above 15 percent. 30 hours total means limited margin: rehearse fueling every 45 to 60 minutes and downhill eccentric work weekly. Technicality 9/10. Build a block that simulates the crux near mile 65.
Kit
April in Auburn, California: plan for 40°F to 95°F. Mandatory shell if rain is in forecast. Headlamp with spare batteries if 30 hours pushes past dark. Poles help on sustained climbs above mile 25. Vest capacity for 2 liters minimum. Shoes matched to 90% singletrack: lugs for mud, rock plate if the course turns technical after mile 50.
Race Day
Hold effort through mile 25. The field often splits on the first big climb after mile 50. Back-to-back canyon nights after Cal Street near mile 65 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 33 miles of fatigue management. Finish with reserve for the last descent.
Results
The Canyons 100 finish lines.
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Sources (2)
- Field stats (2026): https://utmb.world/utmb-index/races/33574.canyonsbyutmb100m.2026?page=1
- Course record (M): https://utmb.world/utmb-index/races/33574.canyonsbyutmb100m.2025?page=1