2003 Copper Canyon to Canyon Trail Marathon
Micah True (el Caballo Blanco) Micah True (el Caballo Blanco)

2003 Copper Canyon to Canyon Trail Marathon

* a historical post by Micah True in the Fall of 2003

The Meeting: Thursday, November 20
On the Wednesday before the Race, the sponsor and race director, Caballo Blanco, did not know what to expect; I had no expectations. I knew that there would be one other Colorado runner coming, Mega Mel Downs, from Woodland Park.

I walked over La Sierra Madre from start to finish to meet the runner, Mega Mel. This hike took 10 hours. The race meeting was to be held at a noon lunch at the ¨Plaza restaurant… MORE

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2004 Copper Canyon to Canyon Run
Micah True (el Caballo Blanco) Micah True (el Caballo Blanco)

2004 Copper Canyon to Canyon Run

Sunday, March 21; 2004

The third running of the bi-annual Copper Canyon to Canyon Trail Marathon+, took place this hot first day of spring. This run was from the deep canyon town of Urique, to the other deep canyon town of Batopilas. The distance is 27-29 miles of rock, steep climb and descent, some dirt road along two rivers, crossing of pine forests on soft single track trail at 6,000 feet, about 13,000 feet of accumulated up and down, more rocks, and plenty of other pluses. This season´s run was plus 100 degree heat!

7 Raramuri {Tarahumara runners}, displayed incredible performances of what can only be described as world class athleticism to arrive at the finish in 5 hours and some change. One could not imagine the significance of this achievement without having been here and having hiked these trails.

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Ramirez Family to participate in the Born to Run Ultras 2022
Michael Miller Michael Miller

Ramirez Family to participate in the Born to Run Ultras 2022

The Ramirez family is a treasure of the Sierra Tarahumara. A living representation of all that is special about the Raramuri people and their running culture. Every member of the family possesses extraordinary endurance running talent, but with humility it is not personal accolades they seek, their focus is to honor the role running has in the Raramuri community and share those traditions with everyone. They desire to pass along the meanings, expressions and importance running has for the Raramuri and its connection with the Earth and one another.

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2008 Copper Canyon Ultra (Race Report)
True Messages True Messages

2008 Copper Canyon Ultra (Race Report)

A Blog by Ceci Lio of Spain from his experience running the 2008 edition of the (now) Ultra Maraton Caballo Blanco (includes results which can also be found on Ultrasignup. While some of his post represents opinions or his understanding, it is a great share about the Sierra and the race at this time.

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Honoring Miguel Lara Viniegra
True Messages True Messages

Honoring Miguel Lara Viniegra

On March 25th we honored Miguel Lara Viniegra. This young man is an inspiration. He is one of the most successful endurance runners in all of Latin America but it is his character and approach to all of life that endears him to so many. Kind, humble, and giving he has become the pride of not only the local Raramuri communities and Urique, but also Chihuahua and all of Mexico.

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Remembrance Run
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Remembrance Run

As you may be aware, thanks to all those that support True Messages we had been able to secure Micah’s ‘Establo del Caballo Blanco’ (Micah’s old humble home in the Batopilas Canyon). We are excited to announce that it will soon become a museum of sorts and place to come start a run, or a hike to Urique with Arnulfo Quimare (who will be the caretaker) or a local Raramuri guide, or just a place to visit and share a Message or two.

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Corre Libre Run
True Messages True Messages

Corre Libre Run

CORRE LIBRE RUN

“TOGETHER WE RUN FREE”

A run with, and in support of the Raramuri peoples of the Sierra Tarahumara.

*if viewing on mobile please turn device width wise for best viewing*

These are greatly challenging times for all of us. For some of our friends however, the effects of the Corona Virus has added to an already difficult stretch. Sadly, this has been the case for the Raramuri people and those who call the Copper Canyons home. The most recent impact has been the postponement of the Ultra Marathon Caballo Blanco and Los Caballitos Runs (kids races). Micah True created the (then called Copper Canyon Ultra Marathon and later changed to honor his passing) Ultra Caballo Blanco to help introduce the beauty of the Raramuri people, their culture and their lands to endurance athletes around the world

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More Korima from Trail Racing Over Texas
True Messages True Messages

More Korima from Trail Racing Over Texas

We would again like to thank our friends Rachel and Robert Goyen and the whole Trail Racing Over Texas Family for their support. True Messages is the support platform for two events being conducted by TROT, and we receive a donation with every registration. The first event ‘Running with the Raramuri’ in in honor of our friends in the Sierra Tarahumara…. (MORE)

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Compassion Copper Canyon
True Messages True Messages

Compassion Copper Canyon

The mission of Compassion Copper Canyon began with Dr. Dawkins and her husband Alan traveling to Mexico for the 16th annual Caballo Blanco Ultramarathon in March of 2018. The region of the Copper Canyons within the Sierra Madre Occidental is brutally beautiful, difficult to reach, and hard on its inhabitants.  They fell in love with the area and were inspired to help. They returned again in December 2018, this time with their two small children driving 30 hours to get there. They filled the back of their old Ford pickup truck with clothes they and friends donated, children's toys for a Christmas toy drive, and, of course, veterinary supplies….

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Event Report: Big Dogs Backyard Ultra Mexico (world championship)
True Messages True Messages

Event Report: Big Dogs Backyard Ultra Mexico (world championship)

Big Dog’s Backyard Ultra World Championship Mexico: October 17-19 Parque de Adventura, Urique Chihuahua Mexico (8,000 feet high in the magical Sierra Tarahumara

What an experience we all had at the first Big Dog Backyard Mexico race and all the Backyard Championship Races throughout the world. It will for sure be a few days that those who ran and those who were following along will not soon forget. With the added excitement and drama of having athletes from over 20 countries participating not only on their own, but also as a team member representing their country, incredible performances and dramatic moments were ongoing. The emotional aspect for those of us watching felt as draining as if we were running!

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Korima Run
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Korima Run

A Korima (sharing) Run with, and in support of the Raramuri peoples of the Sierra Tarahumara.

These are greatly challenging times for all of us. For some of our friends however, the effects of the Corona Virus has had on their families and their communities is truly devastating. Sadly, this has been the case for the Tarahumara and so many who call the Copper Canyons home. These people, and these lands has provided our running community so many inspirational stories over the years and we are hopeful you can join us and be part of another incredibly special one.

The Tarahumara traditions provide that they have responsibilities to help keep the Balance of the Planet and humanity. Tradition also provides that when they run on and with the earth it helps support this balance. Our friends will be doing a run, they hope you will join them wherever you are to help support this balance and help support the Tarahumara community.

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Meeting the Tarahumara at Leadville
True Messages True Messages

Meeting the Tarahumara at Leadville

This is one of the wonderful stories Micah originally wrote on his site caballoblanco.com. then republished after his passing on Norawas.com

By Micah True

The summer of 1993:

I awoke in Boulder Community Hospital after a severe bicycle accident. My helmet had been split in two and numerous cuts around my eyes had required many stitches. The last thing I remembered was flying over the handle bars of my bike while speeding downhill at about 35 miles an hour and hitting a patch of gravel on the long, paved descent….

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Running La Sierra Tarahumara
True Messages True Messages

Running La Sierra Tarahumara

This is one of the wonderful stories Micah originally wrote on his site caballoblanco.com then later published at www.norawas.com

By Micah True

My introduction to La Sierra Madre of Mexico was in November of 1994. That was the summer when a team of 7 Tarahumara indians, [most of them from the same village of 400… (cont)

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