PHOENIX, Arizona. – August 5, 2026 – Aravaipa Running is proud to announce that seven events formerly a part of Calico Racing officially join its calendar for their 2027 editions, marking a major commitment to fostering the Nevada running community. Aravaipa currently operates one event in Nevada, Jackpot Ultras, and this addition expands its statewide offering to eight annual races. Vegas Golden Night & Day, Labor of Love, Purple Run, Running with the Devil, ET Full Moon, Devil After Dark, and Out with the Old officially join Jackpot Ultras in Aravaipa’s calendar of events in the state of Nevada.
Founded in 2007 by Joyce Forier, Calico Racing has spent nearly two decades showcasing the natural beauty of Southern Nevada, offering running events that highlight the region’s canyons and desert landscapes while fostering a personal, community-driven race experience. Forier, a veteran of more than 200 marathon and ultra-distance events, built Calico Racing around a philosophy of environmental stewardship and courses designed through a runner’s eyes. Calico Racing will continue to operate under Forier’s direction, hosting its remaining annual race lineup, while these seven events transition to Aravaipa Running beginning with their 2027 editions.
Most importantly for local runners, the courses, community spirit, and traditions they have come to love are not changing. These seven races will continue to run in the same spirit of creativity and environmental stewardship that has defined Calico Racing since its founding. Moving forward, Aravaipa’s mission is to protect the unique character of each event, support a seamless transition for participants, and honor the connection to place that has always set these races apart.
“Calico Racing was born out of serenity, inspired by nature and conceptualized on a run through Red Rock Canyon nearly two decades ago,” said Joyce Forier, Founder and Race Director of Calico Racing. “Every course we’ve built since has come from a runner’s perspective, designed to share the beauty of this desert with anyone willing to challenge themselves in it. Handing these seven races to Aravaipa Running feels less like letting go and more like passing the trailhead marker to a team that will carry that same spirit forward. I’m excited for what’s next, both for these events and for the races I’ll continue to lead.”
Reflecting on this milestone, Aravaipa Running founder Jamil Coury expressed his gratitude and excitement to serve the Nevada running community:
“We’re honored to build on the foundation Joyce has spent nearly twenty years creating in the Las Vegas running community,” said Jamil Coury, founder of Aravaipa Running. “These seven races are more than just additions to our calendar; they represent a real investment in Nevada’s running community, and a chance to bring the same operational support and reach we’ve built with Jackpot Ultras to even more runners in this incredible desert landscape. Our goal is simple: protect what makes each of these events special, and give the local team and community the resources to help them thrive.”
True to Calico Racing’s founding mission, these seven events will continue to reflect the same commitment to creative course design, environmental stewardship, and personal race experience that has defined the series since 2007. Aravaipa is proud to carry that legacy forward as these races join the Jackpot Ultras lineup for their 2027 editions.
Aravaipa Running 2026-2027 Nevada Events Schedule
Devil After Dark and Out with the Old will run their 2026 editions under Joyce Forier and Calico Racing before transitioning to Aravaipa Running for 2027. The remaining races below join Jackpot Ultras as part of Aravaipa’s expanding Nevada calendar, beginning with their 2027 editions:
- Devil After Dark (5K | 10K | Half Marathon | Marathon) – September 19, 2026 Commencing just before sunset, run through Lovell Canyon while enjoying the stunning sunset as day falls into night. The sun is replaced by stars and moonlight lights the way.
- Out with the Old (5K | 10K | Half Marathon) – December 19, 2026 This budget friendly race celebrates past Calico Racing events and offers a deep discount on entry fees in exchange for recycled (left over) event shirts, medals, and awards.
- Vegas Golden Night & Day (5K | 10K | Half Marathon) – February 6, 2027 Whether you’re an ice hockey fan, an avid runner, a casual walker, Vegas local, or just love the color GOLD- come share in the spirit of this event!
- Labor of Love (5K | 10K | Half Marathon | Marathon | 50K) – March 6, 2027 Taking place at Lovell Canyon at an elevation of roughly 4500 feet, runners will experience high desert vegetation to include Joshua Trees, Pinion-Juniper, Mountain Rose, Sagebrush, and a relatively lush Toiyabe National Forest not commonly associated with Las Vegas.
- Purple Run ( 5K | 10K | Half Marathon) – March 20, 2027 In 1984 Prince and the Revolution famously sang those lyrics to open both the album and film, titled “Purple Rain“. At this event, we will gather not only to “get through” this thing called life- but to CELEBRATE this iconic “Pop Life” figure.
- Running with the Devil (5K | 10K | Half Marathon | Marathon | 50K) – June 26, 2027 Pure Mojave Desert running at its finest! Come join us on this PAVED and scenic course which covers rolling terrain.
- ET Full Moon (5K | 10K | Half Marathon | Marathon | 51K) – August 14, 2027 Running along the fringe of the mysterious Area 51, this stretch of highway (375) has an overwhelming number of reported UFO sightings. So much so that in 1996 the federal government officially named highway 375 the “Extraterrestrial Highway”.
About Calico Racing
Founded in 2007 by Joyce Forier, Calico Racing has spent nearly two decades showcasing the natural beauty of Southern Nevada, offering 8 to 11 running events annually throughout the Las Vegas valley. Conceptualized on a run through Red Rock Canyon, Calico Racing was built around a philosophy of integrity, innovation, attention to detail, community, and environmental stewardship, with courses designed through a runner’s own perspective. From intimate gatherings to challenging ultra-distances, Calico Racing continues to offer a personal touch and a deep connection to the desert landscape that has defined the series since its founding.
About Aravaipa Running
Aravaipa Running is an event management organization based in Phoenix, Arizona, and is recognized as North America’s largest and most respected race management company. Known for its innovative race production and athlete-first experience, Aravaipa is dedicated to building community through unique endurance experiences, from its home base in the Southwest to regional hubs and race series across the country. With the addition of these seven Nevada races, Aravaipa continues to invest in the communities and landscapes that make running meaningful, one race at a time.
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