Monarch Ultra
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THE MONARCH ULTRA
In 2019 a team of ultra runners and environmentalists ran the distance of the monarch butterfly migration, covering 4,300 km (2,671 miles) from southern Ontario to central Mexico. The run crossed Canada, the United States and Mexico and took place over 47 days.
The project links a relay running event with conservation aims. It focuses on raising awareness about declining monarch populations and includes production of a documentary about the relay, the monarch migration, and local conservation efforts. Partnerships are part of the project work, including collaboration with the organization Nación Verde in Mexico to address habitat loss in the monarch reserve.
The initiative also includes public events, including a Monarch Festival and a race in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, scheduled for Saturday, September 19, 2026. Distances and formats associated with the project include:
- 4,300 km (2,671 miles) relay from southern Ontario to central Mexico
- 10 km race linked to the Peterborough festival
The project presents a combination of a long distance relay and targeted conservation activities across local and international partners. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
