The Pilgrimage

Event overview

The Pilgrimage is a 150-hour timed ultra event held in the high desert near Mack, Colorado. The field is limited to 45 runners and features both crewed and uncrewed divisions. Pacers are not allowed. The uncrewed overall winner receives a lifetime free entry to the event. Registration closes Wed, Apr 15.

One central home base serves as the single aid station. The home base offers hot food made to order, cold items, drinks, ice runs, a portable shower, and porta potties. The race is cupless; each runner receives one small collapsible cup at registration. There is no medical on site. Runners may use communal sleep tents, bring RVs or vehicles, and must provide their own electric and water.

Course and format

The course uses no pavement and is a mix of single track, dirt road, and ATV track. Average altitude is a bit over 5,000 ft. One complete journey of all five routes totals about 55.3 miles and 5,908 ft of gain. Runners must provide separate GPX files for each route and be able to use them.

Routes and approximate distances:

• Green route - 6.7 miles, 581 ft gain
• Orange route - 11.3 miles, 1,219 ft gain
• Red route - 11.9 miles, 1,537 ft gain
• White route - 12.6 miles, 1,397 ft gain
• Blue route - 12.8 miles, 1,174 ft gain

Racing is structured as repeated "Journeys" of five routes. Runners must complete at least four full journeys (about 220 miles in 150 hours) to avoid a DNF. Journey orders vary by round (predetermined first journey, draw-by-straws, alternating assignments, reversed order, chosen order, then shortest-to-longest, etc.). An RD will be on site 24/7 and runners must check in after each route. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.