Merus Ultra
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Trail Running in Palo Duro Canyon
The Merus Marathon and Ultra takes place at the Merus Adventure Park, situated within the Palo Duro Canyon near Claude, Texas. This location features significant elevation changes across the landscape. The base elevation at the rim of the canyon stands at 3,412 feet above sea level, while the lowest point on the canyon floor reaches 2,500 feet. Most elevation gains along the course range from 100 to 500 feet.
Participants run on a variety of surface materials created by natural erosion. The terrain includes sand, sandstone, red dirt, rock, stone, and clay. The event offers several distance options to accommodate different preferences:
- 52.4 Mi
- 26.2 Mi
- 13.1 Mi
- 10k
- 5k
- Youth Trail Run
The race course provides views of the canyon's geological formations and colors. Registration is open to the public, with price increases scheduled for late February. The event utilizes the unique landscape of the Texas Panhandle to provide a trail-based running experience. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.