Black Canyon 100k Records Fall
Hans Troyer and Jennifer Lichter both set new course records at the 2026 Black Canyon 100k in Arizona over the weekend. The race featured live coverage that showcased elite pacing strategies and nutrition choices throughout the desert ultramarathon. The Black Canyon 100k is a key event in the North American trail running calendar, known for its challenging Arizona terrain.
- Jennifer Lichter's winning time of 7:57:05 shattered the previous women's course record of 8:16:18, set by Riley Brady in 2025, making her the first woman to finish in under eight hours. Hans Troyer's 7:20:00 finish took nearly five minutes off the men's record of 7:24:55, set by Seth Ruhling in 2025. - The race is a "Golden Ticket" event, awarding the top three male and female finishers automatic entry into the prestigious Western States 100. The 2026 tickets went to Anthony Costales, Tracen Knopp, and Jordan Bramblett for the men, and Jennifer Lichter, Anne Flower, and Molly Seidel for the women. - For men's winner Hans Troyer, the victory was a redemption after being hospitalized following the 2024 race and missing the 2025 event due to illness. - The elite women's field was exceptionally deep, with the top three finishers—Jennifer Lichter, 50-mile world record holder Anne Flower, and Tara Dower—all running faster than the previous course record. - The race featured the 100k debut of 2020 Olympic marathon bronze medalist Molly Seidel, who finished fourth and secured a Golden Ticket to the Western States 100. - The competitive depth extended to the men's field, where second-place finisher Anthony Costales, the 2023 champion, also finished under the previous course record. - The Black Canyon 100k is one of only two North American races in the World Trail Majors series, a global collection of iconic trail ultramarathons.
