RACES
“Ultra Trail Mont Blanc” 171 kilometers.
From October 2 to 4, 2025, it will take place in the Copper Canyon, one of the qualifying races for the Ultra Trail Mont Blanc, final held in the Alps between Switzerland, France, and Italy. To secure this venue, we traveled to Chamonix, France, accompanied by Tarahumara runners Verónica Palma and Arnuflo Kímare.
This is one of the most challenging and prestigious foot races in the world of hiking, gathering about 10,000 runners every year. To compete there, you need to have qualified through events organized around the globe.
Throughout the year, about 50 races are estimated to be organized, traversing the most stunning natural landscapes on the planet to qualify to run in Chamonix, France.
There are three options to qualify for the main event:
- Finish in the top three places in any of the 50 venues.
- Accumulate points or stones; the 100-mile race to be held in Chihuahua will be worth four stones.
- Through a lottery among runners with 4 points or more.
In the qualifying event to be held in the Copper Canyon in Chihuahua, 2,000 runners are expected, and the distances to be run are 100 miles, 100, 50, 36, 20, and 10 kilometers.
For Chihuahua, this marks a turning point in the history of organizing an event of this scale. Between 6,000 to 6,500 attendees are expected, including 2,000 runners. All competitions will conclude at the Barrancas del Cobre Adventure Park located in Divisadero Station.
The 100-mile race will start from Batopilas, a magic town located at the bottom of one of the deepest canyons in the area. (this is a qualifying event).
“Ultra Marathon Caballo Blanco”
This sporting event takes place in the town of Urique, with several categories to interact with the best runners in the world, known as “born to run.”
Held during the first weekend of March, it features distances of 84 and 160 kilometers. The North American athlete Micah True, or Michael Randall, was known among the Urique community as Caballo Blanco; he greatly enjoyed running with the Tarahumara, who inspired him to seek minimalism in his modest way of living.
The Tarahumara do not train to compete in a race; their training is their daily life, as they must travel vast distances in their Copper Canyon environment. Their traditional way of life amidst this complex geography has kept them living in rancherías (family ranches), where they continue to grow corn, beans, squash, and other legumes for their own consumption. The mountain soils are quite rugged, and farming is done in small spaces. Thus, from a young age, they must walk long distances, while taking care or their goats. This way of life provides them with enviable physical condition.
Their traditional games encourage greater resilience. Men run while kicking a small wooden ball for entire days, betting with residents from different rancherías, while women throw a pair of intertwined branch rings forward with a stick. Running is a very important part of their culture.
In Urique, since 2006, the Caballo Blanco Ultra Marathon has been celebrated, where men and women, boys and girls run together, trying to excel and obtain the cash prices that provide huge help to satisfy their very modest way of life.
The attention attracted by the publication of the bestseller “Born to Run” was decisive. In this competition, up to 19 countries and 18 states of the republic have been represented. The date for the 2025 edition of this race will be March 1 and 2.
“ULTRA MARATHON OF THE CANYONS IN THE MAGIC TOWN OF GUACHOCHI”
Next year, 2025, the 28th edition of this event will be held, during the second weekend of July. Three long-distance races and some shorter ones are held in the Magic Town of Guachochi to encourage the youth to get involved in this sport.
Since the beginning of the International Adventure Tourism Festival in 1995, a good number of participants have been summoned to put Guachochi 100 K on the ultra marathon calendar, although there are also competitions at 63, 42, and 21 kilometers.
Up to 1,500 runners have registered for this sporting festival. The Magic Town fills with visitors, competitors, and families. Among these competitions, the names of the Ramírez family have stood out; young women Lorena and Juanita, along with their father and brothers, have demonstrated their strengths in the United States, Canada, Japan, and Europe. The Netflix channel created a documentary about Lorena that highlights the simplicity of her daily life and all the opportunities they have achieved at a family level. Lorena has also appeared on the cover of Vogue magazine. Her sports achievements have not changed her modest way of life. She remains true to her culture and traditions, practicing what is essential in her culture—sharing. The Kórima, meaning sharing in their language, continues to open doors for many young women who dare to follow their instincts for self-improvement.
“Ciudad Juárez International Marathon”
Ciudad Juárez dresses up to welcome marathoners from various countries around the world who come to compete on this border city in races of 42, 21, and 10 kilometers.
In 2024, it will take place on October 20. Since 2010, this race has been organized on the third weekend of October.
The main objective of this event is to promote sports and generate a better image of the city. Throughout its history, since its inception in 2010, the marathon has managed to gather over 38,000 runners from various Mexican states, as well as from Kenya, Morocco, Colombia, China, Spain, the United States, and England.
This border city, noted for being the most populous in the state of Chihuahua, welcomes its visitors with cultural events and an intense economic activity that reflects the well-being of the general population.
Ciudad Juárez always has job offers, whether in the maquiladora industry, services, or commerce.
Very close to Ciudad Juárez, there is a protected natural area called Médanos de Samalayuca, where mountains of fine white sand dance to the rhythm of the winds, moving to create different desert landscapes. In the afternoon and evening, this place is ideal for stargazing, with sunsets presenting amazing color displays. At night, the Milky Way can be seen even with the naked eye.
MOUNTAIN CYCLING
Mountain Biking in Ciudad Juárez and surrounding areas.
In Ciudad Juárez, mountain bike racing is very popular, one of the most famous throughout the country is “Chupacabras,”
Competitions take place over distances of 50 and 100 K. Shorter competitions called “chupacabritas” have been added, where children of different ages participate. The organizers have formed a non-profit civil association aimed at promoting the culture of sports through mountain biking, highlighting the positive aspects of Ciudad Juárez, Chih., Mexico. More information at: contacto@chupacabras100kms.com
Mountain Biking in Creel
This cycling marathon takes place in the stunning Tarahumara Sierra of Chihuahua, around Creel, and, in the opinion of participants, has become one of the most technical and spectacular races in Mexico. The edition had over a thousand participants.
It consists of three distances: 40, 80, and 120 K. The date for the 2025 race is Saturday, July 12.
The town of Creel was the first to be recognized as a “Magic Town” and has become a premier tourist destination thanks to its privileged location. It is surrounded by amazing natural beauty. There you will find all the necessary services to have a fabulous experience when traveling with family and friends, with options for every budget.
RALLY CHIHUAHUA EXPRESS
Rally Chihuahua Express is a serious only asphalt racing.
From April 23 to 26th the pilots and their staff gather to support their racing team who will race to:
April 23rd Out to the city of Madera and back to Chihuahua City
April 24th Out to Divisadero at Copper Canyon and back to Chihuahua City
April 25th Out to the border town of Ojinaga and back to Chihuahua City
Vehicles from 12 nations from Europe, Asia, South and North America have participated.
ATV (all-terrain vehicles) rallies, gatherings and excursions
TARAHUMARA VIP AT GUACHOCHI
The first week of August, at Guachochi, an all-terrain fest is held. Four days of fun with the opening of up to 110 miles of circuit routes.
830 vehicles, 1,200 participants from as far north as Alaska and other US States and across Mexico.
4 CULTURES ROUTES
A 4 Cultures route is held for three days during the month of September at Casas Grandes and Nuevo Casas Grandes, receiving numerous participants from southern US States. Up to 200 vehicles with 587 participants.
THE CROW ROUTE AT CREEL
522 vehicles with 700 participants. Participants attending from Germany, southern US States, and neighboring Mexican States.
CAVALCADES
The Grand Villista Cavalcade
From Ciudad Juarez to Hidalgo del Parral in 14 days. A tradition that started back in 1996. 28 years ago, Villa’s admirer, Former Senator José Socorro Salcido started this tradition with a few men covering only 20 miles. Nowadays, it starts in Ciudad Juarez covering 378 miles ending at Parral after a 14-day journey. It starts with 200 horsemen arriving in Parral with over 5,000. The 2025 edition will commemorate 102 years since the passing of General Francisco “Pancho” Villa. Former senator Salcido passed away in July 2015 at 85 years old, leaving a legacy to his beloved hometown Hidalgo del Parral.
