The Pilgrimage
A JOURNEY OF SELF DISCOVERY
150-hours. 45 runners. 5 different courses. Zero pavement. One race.
This race breaks the mold. A timed race with 5 different routes, 55 miles of course, and a unique and challenging format. This race will force you to be alone for long stretches. Most of the time, you will not know what route is coming next, which makes planning difficult, and the ability to adapt is crucial. Pacers will never be allowed. The Pilgrimage is more than a race; it’s a journey of self-discovery. It will take place in the beautiful high desert of Western Colorado.
THE PILGRIMAGE COURSE
This course is not overly difficult, and the elevation gain is not extreme by any measure. The average altitude is a bit over 5000 ft. It has some beautiful sections with jaw-dropping views of the Colorado river, and it has some sections that have a desolate (but beautiful) desert vibe. It is a mix of single track, dirt roads, and ATV track/road with zero pavement. This is not an overly busy area, especially during the week. You will have lots of solitude.
All distances are approximate and rounded. They were determined by mapping on Gaia, CalTopo, and then by doing the course myself. All came very close, and the differences were negligible for a race like this. So, I gave preference to my activity, which was recorded using the most accurate settings on a Garmin Enduro 2. My activity was also what showed each section being the longest and with the most elevation gain, which is typical.
Your watch might come up with something a little different – please remember, we don’t care. This is very close.
Green route – 6.7 miles, 581 ft gain, 87 ft/mile.
Orange route – 11.3 miles, 1219 ft gain, 108 ft/mile
Red route – 11.9 miles, 1537 ft gain, 129 ft/mile
White route – 12.6 miles, 1397 ft gain, 111 ft/mile
Blue route – 12.8 miles, 1174 ft gain, 92 ft/mile
Totals (1 journey) = 55.3 miles, 5908 ft gain, 107 ft/mile
(About 10,700 ft of gain/100-miles)
***At any point between now and race day the course could/will change. We are currently working on a modification to the orange route, per BLM request. With luck, all other routes will be the same.
A FORMAT UNLIKE ANY OTHER ULTRA
All 5 routes have different names and corresponding colors.
Each route will start from the Home Base. While the format will often split you up on course, you will see plenty of friendly faces at the home base at the conclusion of each route.
One Journey = the completion of all 5 routes
Each route must be completed to move on to the next journey. You will get mileage credit for each route beyond 4 journeys.
All Journeys have unique orders or ways of determining order listed below.
Journey #1 (Genesis): All runners will do the routes in the same order on their first journey (pre-determined by us). The first course will not be revealed until 60 minutes before the beginning of the race. Each subsequent route will be revealed to runners as they finish each course. Enjoy the company while it lasts.
Journey #2 (Roulette): Draw straws. Each individual will have a straw for each of the 5 routes. They must do the routes in the order that they are drawn. Straws will be drawn at the conclusion of each route.
Journey #3 (Isolation): Routes alternate as runners come in. Route 1 for runner 1, route 2 for runner 2, etc. After initial route determination runners will do routes in the order of Journey #1, depending on which route they start on.
Journey #4 (Inversion): Reverse order of #3. This means the last course done in #3 will be completed twice in a row, and the first done in #3 will be around 100-miles before another attempt.
Journey #5 (Unbound): You choose which route you do next.
Journey #6 (Augmentation): Shortest route to longest, in order. The estimated Journey where winners will be decided.
Journey 7+ (Revelations): If achieved all additional Journeys are Unbound (choose the order).
An RD will be on site and awake 24/7. After each route completion you must check in with an RD. We will let you know what you are doing next, so don't worry if it seems confusing right now.
IMPORTANT - Failure to complete four full Journeys will result in a DNF. That’s about 220-miles in 150-hours. This equates to about 41minutes/mile and about 35-miles/day. Every completed ROUTE over 4 journeys will be counted towards your total mileage.
CREW
NO PACERS EVER! TWO crew members will be allowed for those who register as crewed. Your crew members can never help you anywhere except the home base. They can cook for you, go to town for supplies, etc. That’s it. Before it’s asked – yes, only two crew members onsite and yes, that includes children, and no exceptions will be made. In the first year there will be a crewed and an uncrewed division. The uncrewed division will have its own standings, awards, records, etc. Additionally, the OVERALL winner of the uncrewed division will receive free LIFETIME entry to The Pilgrimage. Crewed runners are not eligible for this prize.
If it turns out that there is enough demand to fill all the spots with uncrewed runners, the crewed division will be eliminated in subsequent years. If you’ve been looking for a long race that rewards uncrewed runners, this one’s for you. Being uncrewed means you will never have dedicated crew on site, and you will never receive assistance from someone else’s crew. You may receive help from us (RDs and volunteers) and your fellow runners.