Every April, more than 2,000 runners make the pilgrimage to Auburn, aka the “Endurance Capital of the World,” to compete in one of the most rugged trail races on the planet. The Canyons Endurance Runs event features a weekend-long lineup of races—25K, 50K, 100K, and the 100-mile super-endurance competition—that trace the historic mountain trails through the Sierra Nevada foothills.
The races all start in the historic mining community of Auburn before carrying runners over steep climbs and through ice-cold water crossings along sections of the Western States Trail. As a premier event on the global trail-running calendar, Canyons draws top-ranked professional athletes. The races, particularly the 100-mile route, push runners of all levels to their limits while they soak in the beauty of Gold Country during peak wildflower season.
What Are the Canyons Endurance Runs
Canyons Endurance Runs take place in Auburn, a former Gold Rush town with deep roots in endurance racing, including legendary events like the Western States Endurance Run and the Tevis Cup 100-Mile. The event is held on the last weekend of April with the 100-mile race on Friday and the 100K, 50K, and 20K races on Saturday.
Canyons Endurance Runs is known for breathtaking scenery of the white-watered American River and its massive quartz canyons—as well as some serious elevation gains. The weekend’s longest event challenges runners to climb 18,000 feet over the course of the race. That’s roughly equivalent to climbing Denali, while also running a 100-mile race.
In the trail running circuit, Canyons Endurance Runs is a North American World Series Major, which qualifies finishers for the World Series Finals in Chamonix, France. The top two men and women on the podium also get a guaranteed entry to Western States.
How to Enter and Watch the Canyons Endurance Runs
You can enter the Canyons Endurance Runs through the UTMB World website. Registration typically opens in June for the following year’s event and often sells out. For any open distances, runners can also register at the expo in Auburn on Thursday before the races. Fans of trail running can watch the pros battle it out through a livestream on the event website as well.
What to Do After the Canyons Endurance Runs
Endurance racing may be core to Auburn’s culture, but there’s much more to explore beyond the trails. Over the last few decades, Placer County has become a hot spot for wine-growing—a phenomenon locals call the “Gold Crush.” Sip your way through the area's grape-growing scene along the Placer Wine Trail. Hidden gem Casque Wines is known for Rhône varieties, while Bonitata specializes in a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, produced in a 19th-century stone structure, partially buried in a hillside. If beer is more your style, head to Moonraker for eclectic, sustainably crafted ales or Crooked Lane for IPAs alongside wood-fired pizzas.
After pushing your body to extremes, treat yourself to a rejuvenating spa experience. Auburn’s Natural Wellness Massage specializes in treatments that relieve sore muscles. For a DIY ice bath, head to Upper Lake Clementine and take a dip in crystal-clear water surrounded by evergreens.
Tool around historic Old Town at Totally Cool for a quirky selection of retro toys, candy, and gifts. Auburn Old Town Gallery features works from more than 50 local artists—from paintings to ceramics.
There’s also plenty of history to explore. The Placer County Museum explores the area’s Native American roots and Gold Rush past, the Auburn Joss House tells the story of Chinese Americans who helped build Gold Country, and the Gold Rush Museum brings the era to life with hands-on exhibits like a panning stream and mining tunnel.