Socorro Souls of Sorrow (36 Miles)
Date: November 12th.
This run will serve as a proof-of-concept for a longer event next year, which we hope can be one of the premier long distance (50 mile + ) ultramarathons in New Mexico. This year, the race will be a fatass style (no markings, three aid stations) from Magdalena to Socorro. Next year's event will either involve a 70 mile out and back from Socorro to Magdalena, or a large loop connecting the two towns.
Rules: You must check in at all of the aid stations. If you drop out, let an aid station volunteer know. You are responsible for taking care of yourself out there! Bring layers and be prepared for cold conditions!
Important Notes: This is a high altitude run taking place in mid November. Runners will need to be prepared for all weather conditions!! Temperatures could be very cold, with some wind.
Check-in: 6:30 AM at the Socorro City Plaza. You must meet us here so we know who is starting and we can relay that information to our volunteers. We will shuttle runners to Magdalena at 7 AM Sharp.
Start: 8 AM.
Course Map: https://www.gaiagps.com/datasummary/folder/d289adef-77e7-4b89-b460-9c2c0e1cfffc/?layer=SatelliteWithLabelsContoursFeet,GaiaTopoRasterMeters
Course Description
Runners will make their way out of Magdalena on Kelly Road. At 2 miles, they will stay left at the fork and continue on the road in the direction of the historic Kelly mine. Runners will catch a glimpse of the mine as they ascend a dirt road that will eventually become more narrow and rocky as it ascends into the Magdalena mountains. At mile 7, they'll pass just beneath North Baldy Peak. At approximately mile 7.5, runners should take a left turn onto a dirt track that drops sharply. If you pass through a narrow and brushy stretch of singletrack, you've gone too far. Once on the steep dirt road, runners can expect a rocky and challenging 2 miles of descent, followed by a much easier dirt road that will take them to Water Canyon Campground.
Once runners reach the connection of Water Canyon Road (paved) with Langmuir Road (dirt), they should keep right onto Langmuir road. There will be an aid station here with water and snacks (mile 13). Once leaving this aid station, runners can continue uphill for approximately 0.6 miles before reaching the Mesa Loop Trailhead. There will be a sign denoting this trail, also called Trail 13. From here, runners will begin their second big ascent to the top of the Mesa. Here, they'll be able to see the canyons and desert landscapes that they'll follow until the finish in Socorro. At Mile 15, rather than turning left to stay on the Mesa loop, runners should continue straight to descend into South Canyon. At mile 16, they'll find themselves at the bottom of South Canyon, and should continue to the left (downhill). Depending on the progression of the monsoon season, some stretches in this canyon may be overgrown.
After a few miles of descent, South Canyon trail will become a runnable dirt road. Runners should look out for a hard right turn at mile 18, followed by a left turn one mile later. There should be a gate at mile 20 with a barbed wire loop that runners can navigate. Once they've done this, they'll have a rocky but runnable dirt road taking them to highway 60 at mile 21. Runners should cross the highway here to a large parking area on the east side of the road. USE CAUTION. This can be a tricky place to cross the road as you can't see very far in the southeast direction due to a hill. Please take the time to listen for traffic and cross quickly and carefully.
Leaving this aid station, runners will run on highway 60 for the next three miles. Runners should stay on the left side for this portion. This side has two lanes and somewhat of a shoulder. You'll be able to move over, as will traffic should you/they need to. This is by no means a busy highway, but the speed limit is 65 miles per hour, so runners should use caution. After approximately three miles, runners should look out for signs indicating Box Canyon Recreation Area on the right side of the highway. Here, they'll cross the highway and descend the dirt road slightly to a parking area near large and gorgeous volcanic rock outcrops. They'll stay left and cross a large wash before continuing uphill for another mile.
At mile 26.5, runners should look for a trail on the left that will lead them down into another large box canyon. This trail will descend and eventually lead runners onto a rocky riverbed, which they'll follow briefly before exiting through a gate onto a singletrack trail. At mile 28, they'll reach a parking area and a third aid station. This will be the final stop before the last push into Socorro. Runners will leave here onto a dirt road, and should look out for a left turn onto singletrack within half a mile of leaving the aid station. Continue on this trail for the next 6.5 miles and enjoy views of the desert. After 32 miles, runners will follow the trail until it crosses a rocky arroyo and connects with a dirt road that serves as the Socorro High School Cross Country course. Stay on this dirt road for another mile, and eventually turn left to parallel the Rodeo grounds. From here, runners should cross the road and continue running on some dirt tracks that will lead them to the city streets. Runners are welcome to choose any route through town this year, but the recommeded route will be as follows.
Take a left turn on a dirt path toward the Socorro High School to reach the road, and continue straight onto Michigan Street, which will descend onto Grant Street/Highway 60. Keep right along this road past the large stop signs onto Spring Street. Two blocks before reaching the Main Street (California Street), turn left onto Park Street. Follow this into the city Plaza and join us for a beer at the Capitol Bar.
Comments
Post a Comment