Saturday, May 24, 2025

Ultra Cheii 100 Mile (Solo & Relay)

Juan Tomas Rd

Tijeras, NM 100 Mile Relay, 100 Miler, 50 Miler, Marathon

This Event Took Place Sat. May 24, 2025

Welcome

Enjoy winding national forest singletrack trail through the piñon and mesquite of central New Mexico, a quick 15 min jaunt east of Albuquerque. We'll set you up with free camping, free parking, and an all-night party over Memorial Day weekend! Our course is designed around basecamp: a 40-hour party stocked with hot and cold food, music, heaters, and volunteers to support our runners. Camping surrounds the aid station so runners and crew can stake a tent. Temps average 60-70 degrees this time of year and the weather is likely to be sunny and clear, hot during the day and cold during the night (the average elevation is 7,200').

Course

The course takes place on a 1.05 mile loop with approx. 180' feet of gain per loop. Solar lights every few feet make the entire loop magical at night (though you still need a headlamp). The 100-mile distance is 97 loops. There are two bathrooms and two aid stations on the loop: basecamp is our main aid, but there is also a water-only and drop bag pavillion halfway through. The trail is 100% singletrack through the woods, has a lot of variety, very little flat, some technical portions, dust, heat, shade - you get it all.

100 Mile Solo

This race is logistically a piece of cake. With the ability to return to camp every mile, no cutoffs mid-race, and more support than any race we've ever run, you have every opportunity to travel light and work hard. You must keep a 24 min/mile average to finish.

-Drop bags are allowed at basecamp and the pavillion, both of which are covered.
-Pacers are allowed starting at sunset (about 8pm). Pacers must get a pacer bib and check-in with staff (including signing a waiver) at our registration table, which can be done at bib pickup or at any point during the event. For safety, no one is allowed on course who has not signed in with us.

Camping & Parking

This event is generously hosted on private land that borders national forest, so we get to bring the party. Camping is offered Friday starting at 12pm, Saturday night, and Sunday night only. Bring your tent, hammock, or van. Camping is free, though an email reservation is required (for planning purposes). Sorry, no campers or RVs (for spatial purposes). avidyarunning@gmail.com

There are several campgrounds as well as dispersed camping nearby over Memorial Day weekend. Check out: https://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/cibola/recreation/camping-cabins

Time Limit & Cutoffs

100-mile relay and solo cutoff: 40 hours, or midnight Sunday.

The race starts at 8:00 am Saturday morning (sunrise 5:56am)
How you spend your 40 hours is up to you; there are no mid-race cutoffs.

Drops: if you do not complete your registered distance by midnight, you DNF.

Legend of the Cheii

These mountains are riddled with cheii (pronounced "chay"), the native horned lizards of New Mexico. They will catch the corner of your eye like a little leaf scurrying away, and when you stop to look closer you will see an adorable grumpy lizard staring back, sometimes no bigger than a dime. They are out during the heat of the day this time of year, and it is likely and lucky if you spot one.

As told to us by a local Diné (Navajo) woman, the cheii is the grandfather of the earth. When you are lucky enough to find one, you must thank the grandfather and hold him to your chest. Then, sprinkle him with corn pollen as an offering and set him free. In this way, you may continue on your journey in good health, appreciation, and harmony with the world.

Packet Pickup

Friday night packet pickup will be available from 4-7pm at race start/finish. Race morning pickup available 6:00-am-7:00am. 100-mile solo and relay starts at 8:00am. Pacer bib pickup will be available throughout the event at basecamp.

Race Rules

1. Pacers are allowed starting sunset on Saturday.
2. Only one vehicle per relay team.
3. No campers/trailers/RVs (for space).
4. Bib transfers must be completed through UltraSignup. Email avidyarunning@gmail.com for help.
5. Absolutely no crewing outside of basecamp.
6. No muling.
7. One pacer at a time.

Relay Rules

1. Teams can be 2-4 runners.
2. Who runs what loops (and how many at a time) is completely up to you.
3. The entire team must run the final loop (#97) together.
4. Pacers are not allowed for relay teams.
5. Each team must provide a name and bring their own 'baton' (ex. "Scrambled Legs" hands off a spatula).
6. Teams may have additional crew members who are not running, but they may not eat/drink at the aid station unless they help volunteer for a couple hours.
7. Relay teams are also subject to general course rules (besides pacing; please see below).
8. If a individual runner drops, the team is responsible for completing the 100 miles regardless amongst the remaining runners to be eligible for official finish and awards.

Awards

100-mile solos get a buckle. A big, nice one. 100-mile relay racers each receive a finisher award (not a buckle). All runners will also get sunglasses, Avidya buff, and Ultra Cheii race t-shirt.

Refund and Cancellation

Make sure you review and agree with our full policies at avidyarunning.com prior to registering. These policies apply to everyone.

Refunds: If you need or choose to withdraw from the event for ANY reason (and we know they are all legitimate), you will get a 50% refund up to the date posted in UltraSignup. After that, no refunds are issued – even though we understand and empathize that life happens (ours does, too). Please do not ask for an exception to this industry standard. Recognize that you are agreeing to our policies and committing yourself by registering for our event.

Cancellations: In the unlikely event of catastrophe, and we are unable to put on the race due to forces outside of our control or the safety of runners, we will refund 50% and split the loss 50/50. If the weather is bad, we run. We love bad weather.

Event's current local time: 1:24 PM MT

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