In the early hours before dawn, the Grand Canyon comes alive with the footsteps of determined runners and hikers embarking on the challenging rim-to-rim journey, or for the more adventurous, the rim-to-rim-to-rim (R3) expedition. This trek, bathed only in the natural light of the moon and stars, presents a test of endurance and spirit.
Braving frigid temperatures and often snow, participants begin their descent from either rim, shedding layers as they warm up and move closer to the canyon floor. Among ultra runners, completing an R3 is considered a significant milestone, despite the distance being shorter than many ultra races.
“There’s almost like a rite of passage of things that I feel like ultra runners feel like they need to accomplish,” said Zach Mayfield, a race director with Aravaipa Running. “Rim to rim to rim is one of them.”
Ultra running involves traversing distances greater than a marathon’s 26.2 miles. The R3 trek ranges from 42 to 50 miles, depending on the chosen trails, with an elevation gain of approximately 9,000 feet, demanding hours on one’s feet.
Though many ultra runners engage in longer races, the allure of the Grand Canyon’s R3 is undeniable. Mayfield experienced this firsthand in November 2024, joining a coworker, Emily Harris, on her planned adventure. Despite their extensive running background, both felt unprepared for the canyon’s demanding terrain.
“Zach and I went into it being like, ‘We run a lot, we’ll be fine.’ We did not train like we should have,” Harris said. “It’s essentially the opposite of what you normally do…”
Harris’s group departed the South Rim at 4 a.m., returning around 6 p.m. after navigating snow and darkness. On the North Rim, Harris experienced runner’s knee, adding to the day’s challenges.
The physical demands were mirrored by mental challenges, as Harris recounted her reluctance to seek assistance, opting instead to persevere through discomfort.
Mayfield, too, faced his own trials. On the final ascent up South Kaibab Trail, he prematurely ceased refueling, misjudging the remaining climb due to the trail’s deceptive nature.
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Despite the challenges, Harris and Mayfield completed the R3 in about 14 hours, finding enjoyment amidst adversity. Harris, reflecting on the journey, expressed a preference for future explorations at a more relaxed pace.
Lucas Tyler, owner of The Running Shop in Tucson, echoes this sentiment, opting to split his R3 into two days to savor the canyon’s beauty. “We run this very casually, the Grand Canyon trip,” Tyler said.
Other runners, like Manny Ochoa, prefer the rim-to-rim approach. The trek, though shorter, still offers significant challenges with its 24-mile length and 4,500 feet of elevation gain.
Ochoa, inspired by the book “Born to Run,” began his ultra running journey in 2014, drawn by the Grand Canyon’s allure. His experiences highlight the canyon’s majesty, which words and pictures struggle to capture.
“It’s hard to explain it. Even looking back on the pictures, the pictures don’t do it justice,” he said.
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Aside from personal achievements, the rim-to-rim journey also serves philanthropic purposes. Run2Revive, a not-for-profit organization, uses the trek to raise funds for ALS and Alzheimer’s, challenging participants physically and mentally in solidarity with those affected by these illnesses.
Tom Daniel, cofounder of Run2Revive, noted, “This is a pretty monumental trail run as well…” Participants, ranging from endurance athletes to those personally touched by the diseases, embark on this symbolic journey.
The Grand Canyon’s allure extends globally, drawing participants from various countries, like Canada, and even casual conversations among strangers on the trail highlight its universal appeal.
Noah Dougherty, an event director at Aravaipa Running, and others recognize the Grand Canyon R3 as a significant accomplishment. “It’s not too uncommon for people to do it, but it is a big deal, like in the greater landscape of the population,” Tyler said.
Despite its growing popularity, completing the R3 remains a respected feat, earning admiration and a sense of pride among those who have conquered its challenges.
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