The Canyon de Chelly 55K is the only NAVAJO OWNED AND OPERATED ultra-marathon on Navajo land. Come join us in the heart of the Navajo reservation for an ULTRA experience that you will never forget. The race will take place entirely in Canyon de Chelly, one of the most significant …
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The Canyon de Chelly 55K is the only NAVAJO OWNED AND OPERATED ultra-marathon on Navajo land. Come join us in the heart of the Navajo reservation for an ULTRA experience that you will never forget. The race will take place entirely in Canyon de Chelly, one of the most significant spiritual locations to our people. We will start by signal from the birth of a new day, the rise of the sun over the canyon rim. Runners will experience the traditional values of Navajo distance running by running as a celebration of life, running as a form of prayer and learning to use the sport as a mentor to better ourselves. The canyon and trails are normally off limits to all non-Navajos. Don’t miss this once-a-year opportunity to run ancient trails. ALL profits will go to local Native American runners chasing the dream!!!!
The race starts at the entrance to the canyon and run 17 miles up Canyon De Chelly passing ancient ruins, petroglyphs and pictographs to Spider Rock, then run up Bat canyon trail climbing 1,200 feet from the canyon floor to the Spider Rock overlook turnaround point and back. On the return trip, you will see many views you passed on the way up but may have not seen. The canyon takes on an entirely new perspective on the return. Although not much vertical gain, the canyon offers sand, single track, creek crossings and many more obstacles to add to your journey. The first and last 2.5 miles will be in sand and has the same effect as big vertical climbs!
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Amazing race to say you made.
First off the Navajo nation was fantastic. Over all a good race, very beautiful for sure. Cliffs, Rocks, Trees and ......sand. 150 runners only, drawing only. They do a fine … MORE
First off the Navajo nation was fantastic. Over all a good race, very beautiful for sure. Cliffs, Rocks, Trees and ……sand. 150 runners only, drawing only. They do a fine job for sure. The site says 2.5 miles beginning and end is sand. That is incorrect, its more like 22 to 26 miles of sand. So be ready.
You will not regret doing this
This race was amazing! The culture, the history, the scenery, and the wonderful race director all made this a race I could see doing many times. The course isn't difficult … MORE
This race was amazing! The culture, the history, the scenery, and the wonderful race director all made this a race I could see doing many times. The course isn’t difficult compared to many ultras but the 3 miles of sand at the beginning and the end are challenging, as is the distance itself. I honestly can’t think of a negative thing to say about this event.