2021 Black Canyon Preview

Ashton KanstrupRace Preview

Guest Post written by Andrew Veeder

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One of Aravaipa Running’s premier events, the Black Canyon Ultras presented by HOKA, is set to take place on February 13-14 in the desert of Arizona. Competitors in the 100K event will be competing for two Golden Tickets, guaranteeing entry to the iconic Western States Endurance Run. While there are no Golden Tickets for the 60K, there are 2 points available for UTMB. Expect strong competition in this “classic Arizona foot race.”

Last year’s event proved to be as competitive as ever for the coveted Golden Tickets. Hayden Hawks snagged the 1st place finish with a staggering time of 7:55:33. The battle for the second Golden Ticket came down to the absolute wire. Aravaipa Racing Team’s own Charlie Ware edged Elliot Cardin by 8 seconds. Ware crossed the line at 8:19:27 with Cardin finishing 8:19:35. Despite what appeared to be missing out on the automatic entry to WSER, Hawks had already secured a place in the race, guaranteeing Cardin entry.

On the women’s side, Camille Herron landed the 1st place women’s position (11th overall) with a time of 9:21:27. Cecilia Flori came in 2nd place with a 9:27:22. Stephanie Auston rounded out the women’s podium with a time of 9:31:09. Herron, who had already guaranteed a place in WSER, did not need the Golden Ticket, thus awarding Auston entry.

While the defending champions are not registered for this year’s event, the field remains deep. The women’s side is headlined by: Lisa Roberts, Kalie Demerjian, Sarah Keyes, and Teresa Kaiser. Roberts is coming off of an impressive 2020 where she won every race she entered: Flagstaff Extreme Big Pine 54K, Javelina Jundred 100K, and the Cave Creek Thriller 50K. Demerjian also is hoping to capitalize on a strong 2020 season where she either won or landed on the podium in all of her events; San Diego 50 miler (1st), Pioneer Spirit 50 Miler (2nd), and the Javelina Jundred 100 Miler (3rdGP/6th overall). Keyes, a La Sportiva athlete, has finished 2nd at the Ultra Race of Champions 100K as well as a finish at WSER in 2017. With multiple 100 mile wins (San Diego and Wasatch), Kaiser is one to keep an eye on for this event.

Roberts, who can be found on the trails with a Baby Yoda stuffed into her pack, is ready to face the stiff competition.

“I’m really looking forward to it,” said Roberts.  “I feel like I’m ready to take that next step and to toe the line that day and see how I match up with these other ladies out there.”

Coming from the snow covered northern reaches of New York, part time registered nurse Keyes is excited for the upcoming challenge of the desert.

“It feels really good to feel like it’s something normal again,” said Keyes of traveling and competing.

Keyes, who works in a hospital and even facilities at a COVID clinic, enjoys the balance of running and working in the health care industry. “It’s challenging,” said Keyes.  “I liked that it was something different and it was challenging. And rewarding. There’s lots of times that I have a patient who is touching and we have a good connection; those are great days. And there’s really challenging days. It’s also something that is totally different from running. It’s a nice separation.”

The men’s side of the Black Canyon is equally loaded. Whenever the name Jim Walmsley appears on the entrant list, you can be sure that the field is deep. Walmsley, coming off an American record in the road 100K, is accompanied by last year’s 3rd place finisher, Cardin, as well as Neal Collick. Collick won the Bryce Canyon Ultras 50K in May 2020. Other notable names include: Nicholas Hilton (2 time Olympic Trail qualifier), Seth Ruhling (JFK 50 mile champion), WSER finishers Jesse Haynes as well as Marc Laveson (top 10 finisher at Hardrock 100).

Collick, a physical therapy assistant in Salt Lake City, UT, is eager to compete against such stiff competition.

“I know this field is deep,” said Collick. “There are so many people in here who will just jump right out there, unknown and well known runners. I’m excited. I’m excited to see everything that happens.”

A new trend has risen in ultras: road runners turning their talents to the trails. Michael Eaton is a perfect example of an athlete making that transition. Eaton, a 3 time Olympic Trial qualifier for the marathon (2:18 PR), is looking to do some damage this year in the 100K event. 

“I want to be out on trails, I want elevation, I want to see cool stuff and I want to explore,” said Eaton on the trails compared to running flatter, longer road distances. “That was the appeal of ultra trails versus road stuff.”

Working with coach David Roche since the beginning of 2021, Eaton has been balancing training and working at Brooks Trailhead, the company’s flagship retail store in Seattle.

When asked what the Golden Ticket would mean to him, Eaton recalled reading an article in Runner’s World about the belt buckle that finishers at WSER receive if they finish under the 24 hour mark.

“It’s kind of a weird nostalgia about a race that I’ve had actual no real connection to other than seeing a belt buckle in a magazine back in the early 2000’s. It’s always been in the back of my mind of one that I’ve wanted to do and now I just happen to set myself up in a race where maybe that can happen.”

A native of Norwich, England, Ruth Senior is looking to take the leap from the roads to the trails in this year’s 100K event. The University of New Mexico All-American calls Albuquerque home where she works and trains.

“It’s something different,” said Senior when asked about the trail running.  “It’s a new challenge. It’s fun. Hopefully see something beautiful, run a long way and enjoy the scenery. And generally I’ve found in the trail stuff I’ve done that you always meet interesting people which is part of the fun.”

Hilton, competing in the 100K event, is also exchanging the pavement for the allure of single track. The Flagstaff resident has a similar background as Eaton, qualifying for two Olympic Trials in 2016 and 2020. He is a two time winner of the Walt Disney World Marathon in 2018 and 2020 and even helped pace the elite women in The Marathon Project. “I absolutely think it’s going to continue,” said Hilton when asked if more road runners will be crossing over to the trails.

“The trail running experience is almost a more gritty, more traditional running experience. You are just out there against the elements. It doesn’t feel the same as some of the other races do and I think that appeals to a lot of people. I think you are going to see more talented people come into the sport.”

Hilton points to Rob Krar as one of the original defectors from the roads to ultra scene, along with notable names as Sage Canaday, Hawks, and Walmsley.

Do not sleep on either the men’s or the women’s fields in the 60K event, as both are stacked with competition. The men’s event is headlined by Ware, last year’s runner up in the 100K event. Ware is accompanied by Aubry Myjer, winner of this year’s Sean O’Brien 50K.

Ware, opting for the shorter event this year, has the bigger picture in mind.

“I already got my ticket from last year’s Black Canyon and so this whole spring season has been all about building up to Western States,” said Ware.

Ware still has big goals for this event.

“My training has been going really well lately and I’m feeling like I’m at a peak of my fitness. So I’m looking forward to getting after it and try and take down the course record.”

A competitive race is in store for the women’s 60k event as well. Yeah Yingling has multiple first place finishes at distances ranging from the half marathon all the way to the 70.5 mile range. Aravaipa Racing Team member Corinne Shalvoy has been building momentum with her last two races landing her on the podium. Shalvoy recently won the 25K McDowell Mountain Frenzy as well as a second place showing at the Javelina Jundred 100K.

“I’m feeling great right now,” said Shalvoy. “It’s certainly confidence boosting to have some good results going into BC but for me it’s more about running my race and pushing myself.”

When asked how it would feel to win an Aravaipa race as a member of the company’s racing team, Shalvoy expressed her gratitude and the will to compete.

“I always try to represent Aravaipa well when I race regardless of the outcome and love running their events and being part of that family.  Of course I would love to win this one but ultimately I’ll be running for a strong time and hope that puts me high up in the field.”

One common theme throughout the field and organization is gratitude. With the countless races cancelled due to COVID and various event restrictions, all racers that have been interviewed expressed how grateful and enthusiastic they are to be able to participate in this race.

Race director Jubilee Paige has had the daunting task of ensuring that the race will take place.

“We’re excited to have an opportunity to get back to elite racing in 2021 and set the standards for hosting safe events within our industry,” said Paige.

“They put a lot of effort into getting those races on,” said Roberts. “I know they had to make a lot of changes and there’s a lot of headaches for them and I cannot express my thanks enough.”

Kaiser, who will be looking to improve her 5th place finish from 2018, echoed Roberts’s thoughts.

“Aravaipa has nailed it down a little bit more for keeping it safe,” said Kaiser. Kaiser was even encouraged by her coach, Alicia Vargo, to look for Aravaipa races as “they’ll happen, they’ll be good, and you know what you’re getting into!”

Michelle Hummel agreed other racers with her comments.

“It’s exciting to be able to take part in a race, a race like Black Canyon 100K any time, but during Coronavirus it’s been an extra treat because there are so few races that are available,” said Hummel. 

Hummel will be toeing the line in the 100K event which will be her first ultra over 35 miles. No stranger to the ultra scene, Hummel has an impressive running resume which includes a 1st place at Speedgoat 50K.

This year’s Black Canyon Ultras are fully permitted and will be following our event safe plan. Due to additional health guidelines and restrictions from Yavapai County no crews or spectators will be permitted in Yavapai County which comprises the star line, Bumble Bee Ranch or Black Canyon City aid. Limited crew and pacer access will only be available a Table Mesa Aid. No crews or spectators will be permitted at the finish line at Emery Henderson.

For more information on the race, please visit aravaiparunning.com. Tune into Facebook (Black Canyon Ultras), Twitter (@AravaipaRunning), YouTube (Aravaipa Running), and Instagram (aravaiparunning) for updates and even some behind the scenes content.

Interested in volunteering at Black Canyon? Hit the “Volunteer” tab on the race landing page, or click here. The Aravaipa Running Event safe plan can also be found on aravaiparunning.com.