Monarch Ultra 50K in Zitacuaro

COURSE DESCIPTION

The 50km run (exact distance may vary) will start and finish in Zitácuaro, Mexico. Participants will run through colonial streets, farming landscapes, and mountain trails. An uphill road and trail race with an elevation gain of approximately 1886 metres to the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary will be a challenge for most runners but will offer spectacular views of the forest and Sierra Madre Mountains. Runners will reach the base of the monarch sanctuary before heading back to town.

Expect the terrain to vary between asphalt and trail.

RACE INFO

The race will be manually timed. We will recognize the top male and female runners with a small token of recognition - not to mention bragging rights!

Water will be provided. We strongly recommend you bring what you normally would consume on a long run such as electrolytes, gels, food items etc. as supplies will be minimal.

Exact start location will be announced to participants via email closer to event date.

Please note that there are no refunds.

HOW TO GET TO ZITACUARO:
Zitácuaro is located 165 km from Mexico City International Airport. The drive takes approximately 2 hours and 35 minutes. When you land at the Mexico City Airport, you can rent a car or hire a driver/taxi to get to and from Zitácuaro.

WHERE TO STAY:
Rancho San Cayetano: hotel@ranchosancayetano.com
Hotel Ciclovia: hotelciclovia@gmail.com
Hotel Casa Iturbe: hotelcasaiturbe@hotmail.com / sauces21@hotmail.com
Hotel-Boutique La casa de los recuerdos: hotellacasadelosrecuerdos@gmail.com
Hotel Los Solaches: lossolacheshotel@hotmail.com
Hotel Conquistador: info@hotelconquistador.com.mx
Hotel Rosales del Valle: hotelrosalesdelvalle@prodigy.net.mx
Maria Fernanda INN: hotelmariafernanda@hotmail.com
Hotel Tabachines: hotelranchotabachines@gmail.com
Hotel Agua Blanca: info@aguablanca.mx

Hotels can be booked directly via email or through some internet booking options, such as booking.com and Expedia.com.

You can also arrange hotel reservations, airport transfer, and local tours with Tzitseje Tour Operator (click for link to their Facebook page). Contact: Teresa Carapia - touroperadoratzitseje17@gmail.com

MANDATORY - TRAVEL & HEALTH INSURANCE:

You are required to purchase valid travel and health insurance for the duration of your trip to Mexico. Please upload a copy of your policy no later than November 15, 2023. If it is not provided, we will be forced to cancel your race registration. This step can be completed after you have registered. Simply login to your Race Roster account - we will send you an email to remind you. Check out the coverage offered by the International Trail Running Association here: https://itra.run/Runners/AboutInsurance

INTERNATIONAL MONARCH BUTTERFLY FESTIVAL

This run will be part of the annual International Monarch Butterfly Festival taking place in Zitacuaro, Mexico from November 24-26, 2023. The festival is a celebration of monarch butterflies, with activities including: Indigenous ceremonies, traditional dancing and performances, live music, exquisite local gastronomy, environmental presentations, monarch race, art and film exhibits, and a hike to the Cerro Pelon Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary.

Sample itinerary for the weekend:

November 24 - 26: International Monarch Butterfly Festival

November 26: 50K Monarch Race

November 28: Fly home

*There will be a tour fee associated with the hike. More information to come.

SWAG

Each participant will receive a locally-made craft from Zitacuaro.

POST RACE

Refreshments and a delicious meal will be available post run.

50KM RACE

The race will be manually timed. We will recognize the top male and female runners with a small token of recognition - not to mention bragging rights!

Nación Verde

The Monarch Ultra is proud to announce that we are collecting donations for Nación Verde, a non-profit environmental organization in Mexico that works in several areas towards conservation, regeneration, and protection of our environment. They are playing a vital role in protecting habitat for monarch butterflies and other forest dwellers at Reserva de la Biosfera de la Mariposa Monarca (the Monarch Sanctuary in Cerro Pelón).

Why Nación Verde?

Tree planting

This year, Nación Verde is planning to plant 100,000 oyamel trees along 100 hectares. The oyamel forests house the appropriate conditions that allow the annual hibernation of the monarch butterfly, giving them protection against strong winds, rain and even snowfall and hailstorms. They also serve as water collectors, and provide dew retention, which allows the monarch butterfly to hydrate without the need to waste energy flying in search of water.

Overall, planting trees is beneficial for the environment because it helps to fight climate change, minimize soil erosion, promote healthy forest and biodiversity, and helps reduce carbon dioxide.

With your support, we can help Nación Verde achieve its goal and both monarchs and local communities will experience tremendous benefit from this project.

* No refunds.

* Mandatory travel insurance - see description under Travel Information.

Follow Monarch Ultra:

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/the_monarch_ultra/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MonarchUltra

Twitter https://twitter.com/monarch_ultra

Website: https://www.themonarchultra.com/