Why the Black Canyon 100k Deserves Your Attention: The Ultimate Early Season Test
By Corinne Shalvoy
The Feed
One of the most important races on the U.S. ultra-running calendar takes place every February. It’s the grueling 100-kilometer journey along Arizona's iconic Black Canyon Trail. This is the ultimate early season test.
Every year for the past five years I’ve lined up to take on this beast of a race. It was my first 100k and where I set my best 50k time. It’s a race where dreams are realized and hearts are broken by the demanding desert dirt.
This race matters - and come February 8th you could clear your schedule (for a mere 8 hours) and watch the awe-inspiring athleticism this race pulls out of humankind.
What Makes Black Canyon The Race To Watch:
It’s a “Fast” Ultra
It’s not a race that unfolds over a day, it’s a high-speed desert showdown. Top men finish in under eight hours, and top women in under 10, making it one of the fastest 100K races out there.
Bonus: the early-season event attracts a deep, competitive field, with over 50 runners on each side (based on Ultrasignup scores) vying for a top-10 finish.
The Drama Is Palpable: Who will go out too fast and crash? Who will charge from behind in the last 10 miles to secure a podium spot? And who will fall victim to the brutal combination of heat, dehydration, or injury? Thanks to a free YouTube livestream with real-time commentary and chat, fans can follow every twist and turn.
It’s More Than Ultra Specialists: Black Canyon is also where athletes from other disciplines—road marathoners, triathletes, and hybrids—test their limits on rugged trails. Watching how their skills translate to 62 miles of rocky, arid terrain is nothing short of fascinating.
It’s a “Golden Ticket” Race
Finishing in the top three (or sometimes fourth or fifth, depending on circumstances) earns runners an automatic entry into the prestigious Western States 100– where only 350 athletes earn entries (for perspective 10,000 people applied for the 2024 lottery).
Who to Watch This Year:
This year’s field promises an incredible lineup of talent:
Mary Denholm (2024 Leadville 100 winner)
Tara Dower (Appalachian Trail Overall FKT holder)
Lauren Weeks (3x HYROX World Champion)
They’ll all be giving their all at Black Canyon, along with The Feed ambassadors Ferdinand Clovis and Katie Asmuth. Nutrition and hydration are critical in this race, and these athletes will rely on products from The Feed to fuel their performance.
Tune in. Watch the drama unfold. Get inspired. This year’s Black Canyon Ultra will be a race to remember. After all, what other sport makes you run 62 miles just to qualify to run 100. .
To fast times and high-carb counts, Corinne
Corinne Shalvoy is a member of the Aravaipa Racing Team, The Feed employee, mother of two, and self-proclaimed ultra-running super fan. She will be back at Black Canyon for the 5th year in a row, this time field commentating the 100k race Saturday and racing the 50k herself on Sunday.
Photo Credits: Mike McMonagle