Follow Up Post
This is a follow up to our post regarding Aravaipa’s decision on Ferdinand Airault at the 2025 Black Canyon 100K. Upon further investigation, deliberation & conversations with both Ferdinand & Scott, Aravaipa has decided to issue a disqualification to Ferdinand at the 2025 Black Canyon 100K. Below, we will outline the reasons why as well as share additional information about this process.
First we want to thank the broader community for your patience and feedback in this process as well as Scott’s persistence to uphold the competitive standards and rules of our sport and Ferdinand for his transparency and openness along this process. We regret it took this long and to have occupied the valuable time and energy of many to get to this final resolution.
The Course Cut Issue Update
If you haven’t read the first post we made it might be helpful before continuing to gain full context.
When Aravaipa laid out our initial decision on this scenario, we used director discretion to assess a 20 minute time penalty for the athlete in question when he went off course and reconnected via a cut back up to the course. While this certainly meant he was penalized for this decision, the context and language of the rule as laid out by Aravaipa in the Black Canyon Ultras Runner Guide is important here.
Each year at Black Canyon we publish a runner guide which the 2025 edition can be viewed here. As written on page 4 (Race Rules) of the 2025 Runner Guide, the very first “rule” under “The Basics” is exactly:
“Stay on Course: This is a closed course. Follow the marked route in the race direction. Cutting or deviating results in disqualification. If you get off course, retrace to the last known marker in order to continue.”
This rule as written is very clear that if a runner deviates from the course, they must retrace their steps to the last known marker in order to continue, or will be disqualified.
Ferdinand, upon determining he was off course, did not retrace his steps, but instead took the shortest route he found to get back on course, cutting up through the desert. Ferdinand did not end up retracing his steps, but instead continued forward progress on the course.
While in a scenario where the race rules allow for a time penalty to be enforced that could have been a potential resolution, in this case, the runner guide was clear that a violation of this rule is specifically disqualification.
Clarification on Crew Zones & Runner Self Sufficiency
When it comes to crewing at Black Canyon, we publish a crew guide each year and 2025 was no different. You can view that here.
On Page 9, we go into detail on various items “Need to Know” including “Crew Rules”. The first section of this page states “Crewing at Black Canyon Ultras is a privilege, not a right. To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone, please follow these rules. Violations may result in disqualification of your runner.”
The very first section after that pertains to “Crew Access” and that crews are permitted only at the following aid stations (plus the start and finish):
-Bumble Bee Aid (Mile 19.4)
-Deep Canyon Ranch (Mile 31.9 / 50K Finish Line)
-Table Mesa Aid (Mile 50.9)
Further, “Spectators are not allowed at non-crew aid stations. Crews or spectators stopping at non-crew aid stations risk the disqualification of the runner.”
We should further note that when it comes to pacers, they cannot begin until Deep Canyon Ranch Mile 32 and also that pacers cannot mule or carry gear or supplies for a runner.
While not explicitly stated in these guides, runners are expected to be self-sufficient on course in between aid stations and only met / serviced by their crews at crew aid stations. Additional gear may also be swapped out through runner provided drop bags transported by the race organization. Pacers cannot carry or give any items whatsoever to the runner in between aid stations nor at non-crew aid stations.
The Outside Aid Issue Update
Approximately 0.3 miles before Gloriana Mine Aid Station, Ferdinand received two soft flask water bottles (the two he had forgotten at Bumble Bee Ranch) from Cyril Garcia, a fellow 100K competitor who dropped at Bumble Bee Ranch in the race and was getting a ride out by Ferdinand’s crew (wife).
Ferdinand confirms receiving these bottles which Scott was witness to. Ferdinand also confirms carrying these bottles to the Gloriana Mine Aid Station shortly thereafter and leaving them with the aid station and running the next stretch without any water bottles or fluids (as his crew and himself had missed getting those back into his pack at Bumble Bee Ranch).
Aravaipa had initially decided not to impose a penalty here, but upon further review, this is a violation of the no crewing / no aid outside of crewable aid stations which also may carry a penalty of disqualification according to the race rules.
We want to note, email communications with Scott explaining the decision wasn’t 100% clear on these facts back in February and could have been misinterpreted:
“While crew presence at Gloriana is a clear violation of our rules, the key factor in our final decision is that Ferdinand did not accept the aid and continued to Deep Canyon Ranch without the bottle offered to him. He made the appropriate choice to refuse the unauthorized assistance and proceed on course without water;”
Aravaipa’s email could have been interpreted that the unauthorized aid by crew was given at the aid station itself or he never accepted the bottles. Our findings on race weekend did reveal that he did accept the bottles outside the aid and then proceeded to leave them at Gloriana Mine Aid (after being called out by Scott on trail). Our email could easily be interpreted that the crew met him at the aid station and he never touched the bottles, but this is factually incorrect.
Scott made it clear to us in a response to our team on February 11th that in his opinion the 20 minute time penalty was a fair assessment of the violation but his major issue is that Ferdinand had crew out on trail out of the eyesight of the aid station and he accepted the bottles (unauthorized aid).
Rule Violation Process
We are cognizant the process for coming to this final decision was more drawn out than it needed to be and regret it ultimately had to come out in such a public manner.
Scott & Ferdinand both were professional in their communications with our team and were willing to share their perspectives and follow up openly.
We are going to take a look at our adjudication process for future scenarios that will inevitably come up in the future to ensure we have accurate information and handle investigations and resolutions of this nature in the future in a timely manner.
Scott reached out to Aravaipa several times after the initial decision in February with a few follow up questions and additionally also in the week prior to his public post in May attempting to discuss these questions further prior to resorting to a public post without sufficient response from Aravaipa. We are committed to timely responses in the future for important matters such as this and apologize it took making this public to make the situation right.
Fairness of sport vs spirit of sport
We understand that the competitive end of the sport is growing & maturing and with that comes an intensified importance on fair rules of competition especially when the stakes are higher. Ensuring an even and fair playing field on race day is essential for the evolution of the sport. Education of the rules for those newer to trail & ultra running is also essential.
We also understand for the vast majority of participants in the sport are out for the joy, community, camaraderie and an abundance of rules and regulations may be at odds with the spirit of trail running. Finding the right balance can sometimes be a tricky needle to thread and we hope we have achieved this here.
We will be taking a look at how our rules are written and enforced in the future and appreciate you reading this as we continue to learn and grow.
Final Takeaway
I would like to reiterate that we do not believe these rule violations from Ferdinand were pre-meditated in any way nor constitute cheating and were an unfortunate series of mistakes in moments of panic and confusion. Sometimes one mistake can turn into several mistakes before turning things around and certainly seems to fit this situation. Ferdinand has accepted this decision and we all look forward to moving forward.
Jamil Coury
Aravaipa Running
Any further questions can be addressed to Jamil @ aravaiparunning.com