Chihuahua by UTMB®
Chihuahua by UTMB® – Weriga 100K
Cerocahui → Barranca Del Cobre
Race guide
Updated 19 July 2026
The Weriga 100K is the headline ultra of Chihuahua by UTMB, a big point-to-point journey through Mexico's Copper Canyon from the mission village of Cerocahui to Barranca del Cobre. Over 94 km it climbs 4,116 m to a high point of 2,356 m, and unlike the other Chihuahua distances it starts low, at just 1,620 m in Cerocahui, and works its way up onto the high canyon rim. That opening character sets the Weriga apart. Where the shorter races loop the rim near Divisadero, this course begins with a genuine climb out of the canyon before spending its second half high on the plateau. It is a serious mountain 100K that combines a low-altitude start, more than 4,000 m of accumulated climbing and a long night on technical terrain — a race for experienced ultrarunners who can pace a long day and manage altitude in the closing stages.
The course and terrain
The Weriga starts in Cerocahui at 1,620 m, the lowest point on the course, and climbs to San Isidro at 8.2 km (2,108 m). It then undulates high through Gallego (19.8 km, 1,989 m), Porochi (28.2 km, 1,947 m) and Cruces (32.8 km, 2,012 m) before reaching Churo at 49.8 km (2,257 m). The second half tracks along the rim through Guitaybo (62.5 km, 2,319 m), Crucero San Alonso (70.8 km, 2,164 m) and Panorámica (79.5 km, 2,216 m) to the finish at Barranca del Cobre (94 km, 2,255 m). This is rugged, technical Copper Canyon terrain throughout: rocky trail, exposed rim sections with vast canyon views, and near-constant elevation change that accumulates to 4,116 m of climbing across the 94 km. There is almost no flat, easy ground — the course is a sequence of climbs and descents linking canyon shelves and high points. Durable legs for technical descending and patient, efficient climbing are both essential.
Where the race is decided
The Weriga has two decisive phases. The first is the sustained climb out of Cerocahui in the opening 8 km, gaining nearly 500 m to San Isidro; starting this too hard, straight from the 1,620 m valley floor, drains reserves you will badly need 60 km later. The smart move is to climb it conservatively and treat the first quarter as setting up the race rather than winning it. The second and more decisive phase is the high second half from Churo (49.8 km) onward. Once you reach the rim the course stays above 2,150 m through Guitaybo, Crucero San Alonso and Panorámica, and with roughly 62 km already in the legs the thin air compounds the fatigue. The climb to Guitaybo at 62.5 km (2,319 m) is a particular sting because it is both high and comes at the point where a long day starts to bite. Runners who arrive at Churo with something left, and who keep eating and moving steadily along the high rim through the night, are the ones who hold their finish together.
Pacing and fuelling
The Weriga has four timed gates: Gallego at 19.8 km (Friday 12:15), Cruces at 32.8 km (Friday 15:00), Guitaybo at 62.5 km (Friday 21:50), Crucero San Alonso at 70.8 km (Friday 23:45) and Panorámica at 79.5 km (Saturday 02:15), with the finish at Barranca del Cobre closing Saturday 06:00. The gates tighten as the day goes on, so build a cushion in the more runnable early-to-middle sections rather than relying on the high, technical second half to make up lost time. Guitaybo (62.5 km) and Panorámica (79.5 km) are the crew points, making them the natural places to resupply, change into night kit and reset for the closing rim section. The longest carries are the roughly 13 km from Churo to Guitaybo and the 14.5 km from Panorámica to the finish, so leave both stations fully stocked with fluids and calories. Over a 94 km day at altitude, consistent hourly fuelling and disciplined drinking matter more than any single big feed — protect your stomach early so it still works during the long final push to Barranca del Cobre.
Conditions to expect
The Weriga spans a wide altitude range, from the 1,620 m start in Cerocahui up to 2,356 m on the rim, and it spends its entire second half above 2,150 m. Altitude therefore bites hardest exactly when you are most tired, late in the race. Acclimatising beforehand and pacing the low-altitude opening conservatively are the two best defences against fading in the high closing kilometres. This is also a race that runs deep into the night: with checkpoints closing Friday evening and the finish not until Saturday 06:00, most runners will spend many hours on technical rim trail in darkness. Copper Canyon is exposed high-desert country, hot and shadeless under the daytime sun and considerably colder after dark, so plan for a genuine temperature swing. Carry a reliable headtorch with spare batteries and warm layers for the night, and use sun protection and steady hydration through the exposed daytime hours from Cerocahui onward.
Race Chihuahua by UTMB® – Weriga 100K with Crux
Get the strategy, fuelling and crew plan dialled for this exact course — built from the real route, climbs and cut-offs. Your first race is free.
Plan this race — freeCourse profile
Checkpoints & cut-offs
✓ Course data verified against the official source (2026-07-17) · official source
0 km · 1620 m · —
8.2 km · 2108 m · —
19.8 km · 1989 m · Fri 12:15
28.2 km · 1947 m · —
32.8 km · 2012 m · Fri 15:00
49.8 km · 2257 m · —
62.5 km · 2319 m · Fri 21:50
70.8 km · 2164 m · Fri 23:45
79.5 km · 2216 m · Sat 02:15
94 km · 2255 m · Sat 06:00
More races
More UTMB World Series
More in Mexico
Similar distance (100 km–100 miles)
Racing Chihuahua by UTMB® – Weriga 100K?
Get a complete race strategy — pacing, fuelling, crew plan and the crux moments — built on this exact course.
Plan your race in Crux →Strava is your training. Crux is your races.