24 Hours in the Enchanted Forest 2026
About This Event
The 24-hour format challenges riders to complete as many laps as possible on a demanding 13.5-mile loop through the Santa Fe National Forest’s Zuni Mountains. Each lap delivers 700 feet of climbing across steep ascents, rocky descents, and technical singletrack that weaves through dense forest and high-altitude grasslands. The terrain demands both technical skill and endurance strategy, particularly during the mandatory night riding segments.
Solo riders face the ultimate test of pacing and mental fortitude, while duo and team options allow for shared suffering and tactical lap exchanges. The 12-hour race follows the identical course for those seeking a shorter but equally challenging format. Categories span multiple age groups and skill levels, including corporate team divisions.
What sets this event apart is the festival atmosphere at McGaffey Campground base. Food trucks, live music, and evening movies create a community hub where families gather while racers push through the darkness. The on-site camping culture builds camaraderie among participants, with the sounds of chain lube and quiet encouragement filling the pre-dawn hours.
As part of the N24 Series, the event attracts serious endurance athletes alongside weekend warriors. Veterans praise the course’s perfect balance of technical challenge and rideable flow, noting how the high-altitude setting and variable weather conditions add unpredictable elements. The combination of New Mexico’s rugged beauty and the grassroots racing vibe creates an experience that feels both epic and intimate.
Night navigation through the forest’s rocky sections becomes a mental game as much as a physical one, with headlamp beams cutting through pine shadows.
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