The 2012 Copper Canyon Run and Ultramarathon will be Sunday, March 4. The regular race program will commence in Urique, meeting for dinner at the Plaza restaurant on Wednesday evening, Feb. 29. The extended program will meet at the Rancho Del Oso near the Bahuichivo train station in Cerocahui by the evening of Tuesday, Feb. 28 -- no exceptions. We will spend a night at the Rancho Del Oso and on Wednesday morning after breakfast depart on a beautiful 18 mile hike out of the big valley and down...down....down into the 6,200 foot deep Urique canyon.

As of 2007, we are now requiring a pre-entry fee/donation to enter our Copper Canyon Ultra Marathon. In 2006, when there was no pre-donation, about 30 Americans and a Mexican runner said they were "definitely" coming. 15 runners filled out the application/entry. We closed entry, and 7 state-side runners actually showed up to run!

Because of showing faith and good intention through positive action, those 7 runners - known as the "Dream Team" - not only won an incredible experience and a Club Mas Loco t-shirt, they have also won free and automatic entry into all future Copper Canyon Runs! Free entry is based on Original Mas Locos not missing two consecutive runs. After missing the second run, Mas Locos fall back into semi-normalcy-:] There are NO longer any original Mas Locos eligible for free entry. They all have missed a couple of races now. Since that time some runners/winners of prize money have chosen to take the prize money without giving any back to the people, and that disqualifies the gringo runner from being "Mas Loco" enough to qualify for free entry.

There will now be a non-refundable donation/entry fee for all runners, to hold a place and encourage more of a commitment from interested participants. This donation will be based on the four day race program, pre-walking the two big loops of the course on two days prior to the race/run, guide service, answering all questions and showing folks around. Please read my website to get an idea of what the CUMM is about and the value of a four+ day trip. The race will be limited to about 70 outside runners.

Some runners may also apply for the longer extended program which includes the hike out of and/or back into the deep canyon town of Urique from the Rancho del oso www.mexicohorse.com The owner of the ranch hotel, Doug Rhodes will offer some sort of runner discount. I will be leaving Urique by trail on Monday morning, Feb. 27, to hike up to the ranch--5,000+ feet of climb to meet runners for the Wednesday hike down to Urique. Anybody wanting to join me is welcome.

This is a very full program, a fairly challenging hike and a long day! The group will be limited. Runners/hikers participating in this program should please donate accordingly. Gracias.....

Micah