Black Canyon Ultras is the marquee desert ultra of the Aravaipa Running calendar — held the second weekend of February in central Arizona, with a 60K and a 100K distance. Course runs from Black Canyon City along the Black Canyon National Recreation Trail. ~5,500 ft of climb (60K) / ~6,500 ft (100K). Mild February weather, runnable single-track. Most importantly: the 100K is a Western States Golden Ticket race — top finishers earn auto-entry to WSER.

The course

Net-downhill point-to-point along the Black Canyon Trail. Saguaro cactus, desert washes, exposed ridges, and runnable single-track that rolls more than it climbs. Most of the course sits between 2,000–3,500 ft elevation. February daytime highs typically 60–75°F; mornings can be cold (30s).

By the numbers

  • Distances: 60K and 100K
  • Vert (60K): ~5,500 ft
  • Vert (100K): ~6,500 ft
  • Vert per mile: ~95–105 ft/mi (very runnable for a desert ultra)
  • Cutoff: 12 hours (60K) / 17 hours (100K)
  • Date: Second Saturday of February

The Golden Ticket angle

Top finishers in the 100K (typically top 2 men, top 2 women) earn an automatic entry into the Western States Endurance Run that June. This makes Black Canyon the most competitive 100K in North America — fast Western States hopefuls show up to chase the ticket. Sub-9-hour finishes are required to be in the conversation.

How to qualify and enter

Open registration via Aravaipa Running. Fills in a few weeks. No qualifier required for the 60K; some recommended endurance background for the 100K. Charity bibs available.

Gear strategy

  • Vest: 5–8L for the 60K, 8–12L for the 100K. Aid stations are well-spaced.
  • Shoes: Hoka Speedgoat or Saucony Endorphin Edge — runnable course rewards cushion + roll.
  • Hydration: heavy. Desert dryness is real even in February. 800 mg/hr sodium target.
  • Sun protection: hat, sunglasses, light long sleeve. Exposed course.
  • Layers: light long-sleeve baselayer for the dawn start; ditch by mid-morning.

The Black Canyon experience

Aravaipa runs the most polished events in American ultrarunning. Aid stations are stocked, on-time, and well-staffed. The desert in early February is genuinely beautiful — saguaros silhouetted against ridgelines, no bugs, mild temps. Most finishers describe it as the friendliest competitive ultra they've run.