Cahuilla Rez Ultra

Event Overview

Course & Terrain

A 2-mile loop run counterclockwise on double-track dirt road with loose gravel, starting and finishing at the reservation softball field. The 100-miler is 50 laps, and only completed laps count. Trail shoes are recommended.

Key course features to know before comparing this race:

• High-desert reservation land near Anza
• Start/finish and aid at the reservation softball field
• Free tent and RV camping beside the loop

Double-track dirt road with loose gravel. The start/finish sits at about 3,700 ft.

Mid-November days near Anza are usually mild, around the mid-60s °F, and nights cold, around the low 40s and sometimes below freezing. Bring warm layers for the night laps.

Entry & Logistics

Why This Race Matters

Red Road Racing, which describes itself as a sovereign initiative run by and for California Native Americans and became a 501(c)(3) in 2026, organizes the race on the Cahuilla reservation. The first edition, in October 2023, had only 24-hour, 12-hour and half-marathon races. The 100-miler was added in 2024, when Mark Tanaka won in 26:18:04. In 2025 Arcy Selk won outright in 20:26:20, two hours ahead of the first man, Alex Esquivel. Runners are invited to learn about the culture and history of the Cahuilla people, and aid includes traditional chia and honey bars and elderberry tea.

Historical benchmark notes in the directory record (verify current records with the linked official sources):

• 100 miles: Arcy Selk, 20:26:20, 2025, first overall; first man that year Alex Esquivel, 22:29:57.
• 24 hours: Sean Omalley, 102 miles, and Tanya Buchanan, 82 miles, both 2025.

Preparing for a Race Like Cahuilla Rez Ultra

The 100-mile race guide covers the format as a whole. These guides go deeper:

• Walking strategy for ultramarathons: When and how to walk by terrain, effort and cutoffs.
• Crew and aid-station strategy: Crew tables, aid stops, drop bags and runner preferences.
• Gut training for ultrarunners: A six-week practice sequence for race-day fueling.
• Tapering for ultramarathons: Plan the taper and race week around your own recovery.

Best Fit

• Runners wanting a first 100 on a short loop with one aid station
• Runners who want to support a Native-run event
• Runners who like camping beside the course

Planning Notes

• Start conservatively and use flexible process checkpoints for effort, walking, food, fluid, alertness, and symptoms instead of forcing one hourly distance target.
• Treat intermediate cutoff gates as part of the course. Build enough margin for aid stops and late-race slowdown, and verify every current gate in the official rules.
• Train for terrain-specific fatigue. Technical trails and mountain courses demand downhill durability, hiking efficiency, and reliable night lighting.
• The directory marks this as having comparatively simpler logistics. That editorial label is not a safety rating; verify cutoffs, terrain, support, crew access, and withdrawal procedures.
• Loose gravel and about 8,500 ft of climbing over 100 miles
• Cold nights at altitude
• 24-hour runners cannot extend to 100 miles from 2026
• No dogs, alcohol or race switching

Event FAQs

Related Preparation

• Browse the curated 24-hour race calendar
• Compare verified US 100-mile races
• Compare this race in the full 2026 calendar
• Browse the 24-hour race calendar
• Open the 100-Mile format guide
• Open the Fixed-Distance format guide
• Compare all race formats
• Use the timed-race pace calculator
• Plan checkpoint arrivals and cutoff buffers
• Print a pace band for your goal time
• Estimate race calories and plan fueling
• Build a crew and drop-bag plan
• Build a race-specific gear checklist