Races in El Paso (Running and More)
Mighty Mujer Triathlon
Founded in 2012, the Mighty Mujer Triathlon was established as a way to open triathlons to women of color. It focused on fostering an inclusive environment where women can find a community and build skills together. Women from every culture are challenged to push themselves to new levels of achievement regardless of their age, size, or athletic background. If you’ve ever been to a Mighty Mujer Triathlon, it’s obvious right away that it’s a celebration of the strength and spirit of all the women involved.
Mighty Mujer hosts triathlons in El Paso, Miami, Austin, and Tucson, and they've continued to hold their triathlons virtually during quarantine. For info on their upcoming events (both virtual and in person) and to discover ways to support diverse women, check out their website.
Franklin Mountains Trail Run
The Franklin Mountains Trail Run is a serious mountain race and an Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc qualifier. Whether you are a hardcore ultra-marathon runner or want to challenge yourself with a first time trail run, this is worth taking a look at. Spanning from 5k to 100k, most of the trails are technically trouble-free; however, the 100k and 50k definitely have stretches of straight climbing.
This is an amazing opportunity to explore the Franklin mountains and meet passionate runners from all around the world.
If you are considering participating in one of the longer races, prepare to carry enough water to hold you 6-8 miles between aid stations, and if you decide to drop out of the race, you must make it to the next aid station as they are the only access points for vehicles.
9/11 Heroes Run/Ruck
This 5k race may be a shorter distance, but it is an event filled with so much heart. As the name implies, the race aims to honor the heroes of 9/11 as well as those who have continued to serve our nation since. This year, they pushed to also recognize the nation’s frontline healthcare workers. According to their website, "The 9/11 Heroes Run now has more than 90 race locations around the world, presence in 38 different states across the country, and unites more than 60,000 people yearly to celebrate our heroes and spread awareness.” One of the coolest things about this race is that proceeds are used to support the Travis Manion Foundation which aims to empower veterans and families of fallen heroes to build upon the character of future generations.
The race can be performed as a walk, run, or ruck. Rucking is a sport based on special forces training in which participants walk or run while carrying weighted rucksacks. You can register to participate virtually and learn more about the mission on the Travis Manion Website.
InSANDity Obstacle Run
This is a 3 mile run solely focussed on fun and adventure! There are 35+ obstacles including mud, fire, and sand. The race is designed to test strength, agility, and daringness. Many of the obstacles have a scaled option, so you can choose a level of difficulty that pushes you just far enough, and of course, all of the obstacles are optional. Runs start every hour, so you can sign up for the heat of your choice. At the end of the race, you have the option to surrender your muddy shoes, and they’ll be cleaned and donated on your behalf.
InSandity is open to adults and kids 5 years and older. It’s a great race for friends, family, and co-workers where everyone can challenge themselves at a level they’re comfortable with. InSANDity has begun hosting in-person races again with reduced heat sizes. Check out sandboxsunsetsports.org to learn more about the events.
Michelob Ultra Marathon (El Paso Marathon)
Many cities host Boston Marathon qualifiers, but people from all over the country travel to El Paso to qualify because of the superior conditions. The race is in February, a time of year which offers ideal running weather in El Paso. Not to mention the number one perk, the race is downhill! Elevation loss from start to finish is 1584ft, making for some very fast finishing times.
The El Paso Marathon is also a great opportunity to immerse yourself in El Paso’s run community, regardless of plans to qualify for the Boston Marathon. They offer scaled runs including a Half Marathon, 5K Run/Walk, and a new kid’s dash for parents and children under the age of 9.
If you’re part of a Pantheon team, or even if you just have a group of friends that you share fitness with, the El Paso Marathon features team competitions. This is a great opportunity to build team spirit and camaraderie which undoubtedly make running a long distance race more fun. Not to mention, you could win an award with your team.