Ultra Maraton Caballo Blanco – Copper Canyon Urique 2008
El cual consiste en recorrer 75km a traves de la Barranca de Urique
saliendo de la Plaza Municipal.
Since the Copper Canyon Ultra Marathon deserves much more than a simple race report, I will summarize my personal race experience after detailing this spectacular event.
I will also include detailed information on travel, I hope this makes it easier for those who want to come down in 2009.
I knew the Copper Canyon Ultra would be a wonderful event, but I had no idea just how incredible it would be. CCUM is the most important event for the small canyon town of Urique. Mariachi bands, traditional dance troupes and formal announcements are all part of the program. Posters and flyers are on every store and truck window and the entire town buzzes on about the race.
Caballo Blanco (Micah True), (the race director and much more) is extremely dedicated to this event. The race is about the Raramuri, and he puts his entire heart into making them the central focus. I could see his soul beaming during the awards ceremony as the Raramuri received their gifts of corn. The spirit of this race is exactly what I want for the Fuego y Agua 100k. Maintaining and re-establishing traditions while bridging cultures in one event
Food and lodging are organized extremely well for this event. Caballo Blanco reserved rooms for a very reasonable rate ($30 a night for a 2-bed) and we ended up splitting the rooms down 2 to 3 ways for an even better rate. There are several markets around the town, but the Plaza Restaurant served breakfast, lunch and dinner all for less than $5 a meal. Meals were second to none and the beer came nonstop.
Travel
Gabi, Dave (her boyfriend), Abigail, Peter Marston, Gabriella and I flew into El Paso for the beginning of our trip to the canyons. Through the airport website I was able to find a shuttle van for direct transport to the Juarez bus terminal (6 people-$60-1 hour). The only time consuming event crossing the border into Juarez is purchasing the Mexican Visa ($25).
From the Juarez bus terminal, we picked up a bus to Chihuahua City ($25- hours). The large buses in Mexico are far nicer than Greyhound and much more comfortable than airplanes. The Chihuahua bus terminal is about 20 minutes via taxi ($7) from the Chepe train station. There is an excellent hostel/hotel directly across the street from the train station. Casa Chihuahua ($15 night) is owned by a very nice French guy. The second class train out of Chihuahua (Chihuahua to Bahuichivo $50-11 hours) left at 7am. The first four hours of the train ride were nice but not spectacular. Once we reached the canyon country, the scenery was absolutely amazing.
Once in Bahuichivo we arranged for a ride down to Urique ($90-six people-three hours). The ride into the canyon was the most scenic of the whole trip. We were extremely tired and very happy to join the rest of the runners for a feast in the Plaza Restaurant.
Altogether we spent almost two entire days traveling down into the canyon. We also spent one and a half very long days traveling back home.
My recommendation is to fly into Los Mochis or Chihuahua City, although the initial plane ticket will cost a little more, the price will be offset by less traveling time and transportation expenses upon arrival. From Los Mochis or Chihuahua, it is only one train ride and one shuttle down into Urique.
