The Canyons Endurance Runs take place in Auburn, known as the “Endurance Capital of the World,” where mountain ultrarunning was born during the historic gold rush era. This UTMB World Series Americas Major serves as both a qualifier for the UTMB World Series Finals and the Western States 100, with the 100K offering Golden Ticket entries to the top two finishers in each gender.

Runners traverse historic trails once traveled by 19th-century prospectors, following sections of the renowned Western States Trail through the Sierra Nevada foothills. The courses wind through Eldorado Canyon, past the iconic Swinging Bridge, and along the American River canyons, combining challenging terrain with breathtaking scenery.

The 100-miler covers 17,000 feet of climbing over 35 hours, starting Friday morning from China Wall. The route includes technical descents to Eldorado Bridge, a journey through Volcano Canyon to Foresthill, and demanding climbs that test even seasoned ultrarunners. The 100K follows a reverse route from previous years, featuring 11,000 feet of elevation gain with the Devils Thumb to Swinging Bridge descent as a highlight. The 50K captures the essence of Sierra trail running with 5,600 feet of climbing through oak woodlands and pine forests, while the 25K offers a taste of the terrain at 2,800 feet of gain.

Well-equipped aid stations support runners throughout, with mandatory gear including dual headlamps, hooded jacket, and minimum one-liter water capacity. The event embodies trail running culture with post-race celebrations and a strong community atmosphere, drawing both competitive athletes seeking qualification and runners pursuing personal challenges in this historic endurance destination.