The 2010 CCUM [Copper Canyon UltraMarathon] had 367 starters and 160+ finishers of the 51-miler. Many more finished the 40-miler.
Sunday, March 7, 2010 was just another beautiful day in the deep canyon country of La Sierra Madre. The week of the race they began to come; 30 international runners met at the Rancho Del Oso, above the Urique canyon and 7 miles under the train station. We all enjoyed the down time at the ranch, good meals, good company, before departing on a beautiful 18 mile hike through narrow canyons, a 1200 foot-in-6 mile gradual trail climb before leveling out some, then gradual down, followed by steep and rocky descent into the vast Urique canyon and the start of the race. Upon arrival in Urique, runners went to their lodging options, enjoyed excellent food at grandma Tita's Plaza Restaurant, and encountered a trickle of Raramuri runners who had hiked-in from their homes in the Batopilas canyon. As the week went on, and we all made, Thursday and Friday, long and slow group hikes of the 51 mile course, and more Raramuri converged into the 6,200 foot deep Urique canyon. By race day there were 62 International runners, 40 Mexican Nationals and 260+ Raramuri representing all of the 4 municipios [counties] that make up the Copper Canyons region of Mexico. All interacted with mutual respect and humility like the True champions we are.
The race was very competitive [and beautiful], the Raramuri going out with a blast, as if the 51 miles with 9,300 foot of climb and equal descent was a 5km! When it was all over, all of the first 5 finishers, winning the huge prize money and a ton of corn per finisher, were Raramuri. 9 out of the first 10 were Raramuri. The only international runner in the top 10 was 6th place Nick Coury [el Aguila--The Eagle] of Arizona, who came in 6th place.
There was a separate and equal [prize money] women's division that saw 50 women start the race.
11th place overall went to Ohio Raramuri Brian Kaminski with a time of 7:56 The top 5 Raramuri finishers were all within 10 minutes of the winner, Jose Madero Herrera [younger brother of Juan Herrera, of 2004 Leadville fame] with an outstanding time of 7:12. 4 of the first 5 Raramuri were from the high Sierra at 8,000 feet, villages of Choguita and Tataguichi, in the county of Guachochi. The unusually very cool deep canyon day helped the high country runners immensely, sucking up that lowland oxygen while NOT dealing with heat.
All who participated in the 2010 Copper Canyon UltraMarathon in any way, shape or form, were sure to have left the deep canyon pueblo of Urique knowing that we are ALL winners, all of us. To run free in beautiful places amongst beautiful and special people is to remember who we are and from where we all come. May the Raramuri, and all of us, especially the children, continue to Run Free!
Caballo Blanco de la Sierra Madre [Mother Mountains]
Overall top 10
Women top 10
RuthAnne Hamrick of New Mexico was the second place woman at this years CCUM--Copper Canyon UtraMarathon...She won $1,500 cash and a ton of corn. She gave the corn back to the local people and the cash to missionaries in Creel, thus demonstrating, with humility, without fan-fare or any kind of self promotion, the True meaning of korima [sharing], the primary sponsor of the CCUM. Today, the Earth is a little bit more Mas Loco. And that is a beautiful thing. Andale!
May the Raramuri, you and I, and especially the children, continue to Run Free
Caballo Blanco RD
--------
Hola Amigos,
Just got back from a nice run in 3 inches of fresh snow, light snow falling, mountains all white. Made the mexican parenthetical seem all the more dream-like.
I just wanted you all to know what an honor and privilege it was to be part of such an amazing group of people. It was so fun getting to know all of you and I was so proud of the courage, tenacity, grace, respect, generosity and kindness shown by all throughout the whole experience.
Because our party had to leave so early Monday, I didn't have the opportunity to properly say good-bye to many of you. I sincerely hope our paths cross again, frequently in fact. Henry expressed interest in visiting for a week for altitude training before Wasach (sp?). We'd be happy to host anyone who thinks that'd be fun at any time. I'd love to take you trotting around my favorite trails at 9-10,000 feet, and Marc can get you even higher in Santa Fe. New Mexico is a beautiful place to run. The Jemez Mountain Run is coming up in May (1/2 marathon, 50k, 50m) which is loads of fun if anyone's interested.
Anyway, congratulations to all- it was a most excellent adventure! Keep up the Korima!
Ruthanne (La Paloma)