UTMB World Series Major · Auburn, California, United States · New Major
HOKA Canyons Endurance Runs by UTMB
The Canyons Endurance Runs is a UTMB World Series Major in Auburn, California, one of the newest Majors. Runners follow steep canyon singletrack along the Western States Trail, with exposed climbs, river crossings and warm spring weather.
- Where
- Auburn, California, United States
- Month
- April
- Region
- Americas
- Longest race
- 100 miles, 161 km, about 5,550 m of climbing
- Conditions
- Warm spring days, sun and little shade. Heat is the main variable.
- Official site
- canyons.utmb.world
Dates, distances and qualification rules change every year, so confirm on the official site before you plan.
What is the Canyons Endurance Runs course like?
The course sits in the Sierra Nevada foothills. Expect steep drops into canyons, long climbs out of them and sections with no shade. The Western States Trail is runnable in places, which tempts runners to start too fast and pay for it on the climbs.
What are the Canyons Endurance Runs distances?
| Race | Distance | Climbing | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 miles | 161 km | about 5,550 m | |
| 100K | 100 km | about 3,750 m | |
| 50K | 50 km | about 1,700 m | |
| 25K | 25 km | about 850 m |
How do you fuel the Canyons Endurance Runs?
Warm spring days, sun and little shade. Heat is the main variable.
- Plan the carbs first. Most runners aim for 60 to 90 grams an hour. Stay at the lower end if your stomach is untested.
- Adjust for the heat. Enter the forecast in the heat adjustment calculator. It raises fluids and sodium as the heat index climbs.
- Carry enough between stations. Canyon sections are long, with no shade or water. Work out what each stretch needs.
- Cool as well as drink. Ice, a wet buff and sponging at stations help. Fuel and cooling work together.
Work out your numbers
- Ultra fuel plan calculator: A whole race plan: per hour, hour by hour, race totals and a rough fuel budget.
- Heat adjustment calculator: Heat index, WBGT and how much more to drink and salt in hot, humid weather.
- Aid station and drop bag planner: What to carry between aid stations and what to pack in each drop bag.
- How much to drink in an ultra
- Sodium per hour in an ultra
- The ultra drop bag packing list
What does a Major give you?
Majors award double Running Stones for the UTMB World Series Finals in Chamonix. See the official Majors page for the current rules, and the comparison of all of them.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Canyons Endurance Runs held?
In April.
Does it count towards the UTMB World Series Finals in Chamonix?
As a Major it awards double Running Stones, which are entries to the Finals lottery. The top 10 men and top 10 women in the 50K, 100K and 100 mile races also get automatic entry. Rules change, so check the official Majors page.
Where can I get the course file?
On each distance page of the official Canyons site.
The other races
- HOKA Ultra-Trail Australia by UTMB (May)
- HOKA Val d'Aran by UTMB (July)
- Wildstrubel by UTMB (September)
- HOKA Kodiak Ultra Marathons by UTMB (October)
- HOKA Chiang Mai Thailand by UTMB (November)
- UTMB World Series Finals in Chamonix (August)
General information, not medical or dietary advice.