Black Canyon Ultras takes runners through the raw Sonoran Desert landscape of central Arizona along the historic Black Canyon Trail. The course follows a remote corridor between Phoenix and Prescott, traversing saguaro studded desert, rocky washes and exposed ridgelines in one of the American Southwest's most challenging winter ultramarathons.
The Black Canyon Ultras is a desert classic. Starting from the small community of Mayer in central Arizona, the race follows the historic Black Canyon National Recreation Trail, a remote corridor through the Sonoran Desert between the Bradshaw Mountains and the Agua Fria River. Runners navigate a landscape of towering saguaro cacti, dry washes, rocky ridgelines and vast open desert that stretches to the horizon in every direction.
The terrain is rugged and technical: loose rock, sandy stretches, steep scrambles and exposed sections where the winter sun can be deceptively warm. The 100K course gains and loses significant elevation as it undulates through the canyon corridor, and the remoteness of the trail means runners must be self reliant and mentally prepared for long stretches of solitude.
Held in February, Black Canyon Ultras occupies a prime spot on the winter ultra calendar. The cool desert mornings, the stark beauty of the Sonoran landscape and the gritty, no frills character of the race have earned it a devoted following among ultrarunners who appreciate honest, challenging courses over hype and spectacle.
Mayer High School, Spring Valley, Arizona , USA |
14 Feb - Feb 15, 2027