Trail running course through mixed terrain in Chihuahua, MX
Chihuahua by UTMB

Chihuahua by UTMB 8.5K

8.5K·190m gain·
mountainhigh altitudetechnicaltraildesertqualifier

AI-generated image

Distance8.5K
Gain190m
DateDate TBA
StatusOpen
Difficulty1/5

About This Race

The 8.5-kilometer route serves as the event's most accessible option with just 200 meters of elevation gain. This distance welcomes runners of all levels to participate in the cultural celebration and experience the canyon setting without extreme physical demands.

The 8.5-kilometer route serves as the event's most accessible option with just 200 meters of elevation gain. This distance welcomes runners of all levels to participate in the cultural celebration and experience the canyon setting without extreme physical demands.

Elevation Profile

Elevation profile estimated from terrain data. Actual course may differ.

The course gains 190m over 9km, with the steepest section between km 12–km 12.

Location

Notable Features

Set in Mexico's Copper Canyons, the race honors the Rarámuri people's incredible running tradition while offering runners a chance to experience one of North America's most dramatic and culturally significant landscapes. As a UTMB World Series event, it combines world-class race organization with authentic local culture and stunning high-desert canyon terrain.

Other Distances at This Event

20K

186m gain

The route navigates mixed terrain characteristic of the Chihuahua highlands, combining technical trail sections with more runnable fire road segments. Runners should expect rocky footing, variable surface conditions, and the effects of altitude throughout. The 650-meter elevation profile provides sustained climbing rather than a single massive ascent, requiring consistent pacing and elevation awareness.

38K

462m gain

The route traverses mixed terrain characteristic of the Chihuahua high desert, combining trail surfaces with technical sections that require careful footing. Specific course details including elevation profile, aid station locations, and cutoff times are managed through the official UTMB World Series registration and runner materials. The technical nature of certain sections suggests this isn't simply a runnable fire road course, though the exact balance of terrain types varies year to year based on course design.

59K

740m gain

The course explores the mixed terrain of the Sierra Madre, combining rocky singletrack with wider mountain paths through high desert landscapes. Runners encounter the region's characteristic red rock formations, pine forests at elevation, and expansive views across canyon systems. Technical sections demand attention to foot placement, while more runnable stretches allow for rhythm and recovery between challenging segments.

94K

649m gain

The course explores the Copper Canyon system through a mix of mining roads, indigenous footpaths, and technical singletrack. Runners move between ecological zones as the route descends into canyon sections and climbs back to forested ridgelines, with terrain ranging from smooth pine-needle trails to rocky, technical passages requiring careful foot placement. Water and aid station spacing reflects the remote nature of the region.

135K

1,157m gain

The 135K course explores the diverse terrain of the Sierra Madre Occidental, moving through pine forests, canyon systems, and high-altitude ridges. The mixed terrain alternates between runnable sections and technical passages requiring careful foot placement. Aid stations are spaced to account for the remote nature of certain course segments, with runners needing to carry mandatory gear and manage supplies strategically between stops.