Chihuahua by UTMB®
Chihuahua by UTMB® – Napurega 20K
Parque Barrancas, Divisadero
Race guide
Updated 18 July 2026
The Napurega 20K is the short-course entry at Chihuahua by UTMB, a compact loop out of Parque Barrancas in Divisadero, on the rim of Mexico's Copper Canyon. Over 20 km it climbs 614 m and reaches a high point of 2,483 m, starting and finishing at around 2,253 m. Don't let the distance fool you: this is a genuine mountain course run entirely at high altitude, sharing the same lofty 2,483 m high point as the longer Komakali 38K. It is the ideal introduction to Copper Canyon trail running for newer trail runners or for anyone wanting a taste of the rim without committing to an ultra, but the thin air and rocky terrain still demand respect.
The course and terrain
Napurega starts at Parque Barrancas (2,254 m) and climbs almost immediately to Huerachi at 7.5 km, the high point of the day at 2,478 m. From there it descends to Mogotavo at 13.5 km (2,280 m) before returning to the finish at Parque Barrancas (20 km, 2,253 m). The shape is simple: one substantial climb early, a descent through the middle, and a final run back to the start-finish. The terrain is the same rocky, exposed canyon-rim trail that defines all the Chihuahua races, with open views over the barrancas and technical, stony footing. With 614 m of climbing over 20 km the gradients are moderate by mountain-race standards, but the surface rewards careful foot placement and the altitude turns even gentle climbs into honest work. It is a short course but not an easy one.
Where the race is decided
The Napurega is effectively decided in its opening 7.5 km. From the start at 2,254 m the course climbs steadily to Huerachi at 2,478 m — a gain of over 220 m concentrated in the first third of the race, all of it above 2,250 m where the thin air punishes any over-eager start. Runners who sprint the early climb pay for it on the exposed rim; those who settle into a controlled hiking-and-running rhythm reach Huerachi with legs intact. Once over Huerachi the race becomes far more forgiving: a descent to Mogotavo at 13.5 km and a rolling return to Parque Barrancas. This is where a well-judged early effort converts into a strong finish, because you can open up on the downhill and closing kilometres while others are recovering from going out too hard. Patience to the top of Huerachi, then commitment home, is the whole strategy.
Pacing and fuelling
There is one timed gate: Huerachi at 7.5 km closes Saturday 09:30, and the finish at Parque Barrancas closes Saturday 11:30. The early cut-off at the top of the opening climb means you should not treat the first section casually — keep moving purposefully up to Huerachi so the clock is never a concern, then relax into the descent. Aid is available at Huerachi and Mogotavo, dividing the loop into three manageable segments of roughly 7 to 8 km. For a 20 km race a single flask or small pack is usually enough, but because the rim is fully exposed with no shade or natural water between checkpoints, start with fluids topped up and drink steadily on the climb. At altitude even a short race dehydrates you faster than you expect, so treat hydration as a priority rather than an afterthought.
Conditions to expect
Although it is the shortest Chihuahua distance, Napurega still tops out at 2,483 m and never drops below about 2,253 m, so altitude is a real factor even over 20 km. Runners coming from lower elevations will notice heavier breathing and a reduced pace on the Huerachi climb; a conservative first few kilometres is the simplest way to protect the rest of the loop. The Copper Canyon rim is open high-desert terrain with strong sun and no tree cover between checkpoints. With the finish cut-off at Saturday 11:30 the entire race is run in daylight, so the main environmental concerns are sun exposure, glare and heat on the exposed trail. Sun protection, a hat and steady hydration will make the difference between a comfortable morning on the rim and a hard one.
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Checkpoints & cut-offs
✓ Course data verified against the official source (2026-07-17) · official source
0 km · 2254 m · —
7.5 km · 2478 m · Sat 09:30
13.5 km · 2280 m · —
20 km · 2253 m · Sat 11:30
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