Wednesday, March 2:
Runners/spectators/participants should arrive in the remote deep canyon town
of Urique at the bottom of the Urique canyon. The local bus meets the train
bringing passengers from Los Mochis from the west and Creel from the east,
arriving in Urique at night, thus missing the big views. If participants do
not want to wait on the bus, and arrive in Urique in the daylight, private
transportation is available by appointment at a higher cost. Visitors should
check in at race headquarters--The "Plaza" restaurant, to enjoy a delicious
meal. This is where the owners can direct visitors to their hotel, which is
our headquarters, the nicest place in town for the price, and where the
Tarahumara runners will be staying. There are various hotels, lodging and
camping options in Urique varying in price from $7 to $45.
Thursday, March 3:
6:30 a.m: Runners will meet for breakfast at the "Plaza Restaurant", then
take a group slow-hike of one of the two big loops of the course to
acclimate and become familiar with what we will be running on race day.
Friday, March 4:
6:30 a.m: We will meet for breakfast, then walk the other big loop of the
course to los Alisos, which includes the most beautiful section of our run.
Saturday, March 5:
Rest and eat! Enjoy the hospitality and wonderful program's presented by the
race organizers and little town of Urique while relaxing, saving strength
for Sunday!
Sunday, March 6:
6:30 am: The race begins! The "Plaza" restaurant will be open early for
pre-race fueling and will act as the main aid station. This will be where
the 3 loops of the course will begin and end. Dinner will be served at the
"Plaza" restaurant whenever runners are ready, followed by the awards
ceremony in the town plaza at 8 p.m. That is when the top 10 Raramuri
[Tarahumara runners] will be handed huge cash awards and notice of the award
of mixed corn and beans to the various settlements of the top 10 runners.
The corn/beans awards at the 2010 race turned out to be the value of 100,000
pounds of corn! The cash awards were $14,000 dollars. All finishers after
the top 10 will be awarded 500 pounds of corn. Any stateside runner that
finishes in the winnings will have the opportunity to present his/her prize
as "korima" [a gift/sharing] however he/she wants, to be given/shared with
the finishing raramuri or towns-people.
Monday, March 7:
Ground transportation will be available to the train station above the west
rim of the Urique canyon where runners/travelers will board the train to
make their connections to their desired destinations with the feeling that
we all have been a part of something very special! Que le vaya bien.