Wednesday, Feb. 29:
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 1:
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 2:
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 3:
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 4:
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 120,000 pounds of corn! The cash
awards were over $11,000 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 5:
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.