The first Copper Canyon Marathon (to become Ultra Caballo Marathon Blanco)
Copper Canyon Marathon [Urique to Batopilas]
Sunday, March 23, 2003
*a historical post by Micah True - el Caballo Blanco
This was a beautiful weekend in the deep canyon country of La Sierra Madre. On Saturday they came, walking into the plaza of Urique from ranchos hidden in the protective folds of La Sierra Madre and Batopilas canyon. We all hung out in a really nice hotel, Estrella Del Rio [star of the river], ate from a huge pot of pozole [corn and goat stew]. Even the vegetarian Caballo Blanco partook of this Korima [gift]; then had a good nights sleep in the deluxe hotel room. In the morning we ate more pozole, then the run began.
We danced all morning and into the afternoon, with and through our mother mountains; moving to the sweet rhythm of her heartbeat, the heartbeat of freedom. Friends were dancing with us in spirit, as they have been a part of this through positive thought and inspiration. Vive la inspiraccion [inspired action].
In these times of world strife and conflict, may the Tarahumara and all of us continue to run free.
The results:
1st Manuel Luna - La tierra/Sierra Madre-4:50
2nd Felipe - La tierra/Sierra Madre-4:51
3rd Herbalisto - La tierra/Sierra Madre-5:03
4th Sebastiano - La tierra/Sierra Madre-5:04
5th Caballo Blanco - Colorado/ la Sierra Madre-6:58
6th Nacho - La tierra/Sierra Madre-7:07
7th Porfilio - La tierra/Sierra Madre-7:08
On the Friday morning before the race, the sponsor and race director, Caballo Blanco, did not know what kind of response to expect, he had no expectations. As he left his home in the deep canyon town of Batopilas, walking over la sierra to the start of the race in the deep canyon town of Urique, he was joined by a raramuri runner named Nacho. Upon reaching the village of Cerro Colorado seven miles into the 29 mile journey, he encountered two more raramuri runners waiting for him. Shortly thereafter another couple of runners fell into line behind him until there were six excellent traditional raramuri runners following him on the steep climb out of Batopilas canyon, then six miles across oak then pine covered mountains, then the rocky, steep descent into the Urique canyon and the lovely bird and fresh water filled arroyo Los Alisos, where all camped on the property of the friendly family of Prospero Torres, who fed us all and gave blankets and a place to camp. This would also be the first key aid station of the race where all would take a bag of burritos and cup of 'pinole' before beginning the 3,000 foot in two mile climb! The next morning, the team of Batopilas canyon raramuri and their gringo raramuri friend, walked the 8 1/2 miles to the town of Urique. There was a team of 10 Urique canyon raramuri runners who were signed up to run the race, but upon hearing of the arrival of the traditional Batopilas canyon runners wearing their sapetas {white cotton wrap around skirts}, the Urique runners did not show up, conceding the race to the renown traditional rararamuri runners.
This was the first time that any of the team of Batopilas canyon raramuri had seen the Urique canyon and the first time that any had traveled on this trail that was to be the race course; [they had no reason!] The race sponsor acted as their guide, and it was an honor to have done so.
While in Urique, the runners were treated by all with respect like the champions that they are.
The raramuri took off from the start of the race in the plaza of Urique, like this were a 5 km race! After a couple of hundred meters, the team running in a pack, disappeared from sight. I saw only their huarachi sandal tracks throughout this 29 mile journey until catching up to two runners a mile from the finish who had stopped to drink some beer at the invitation of a spectator. This had been a very close race with four runners destroying the previous course record of 6:27, held by the gringo raramuri, Caballo Blanco.
This event was a very positive experience for all involved and for me, a great honor to have run in their tracks!
Caballo Blanco
