Race Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026
Race starts at 6:00 AM Saturday.
Course closes at 6:00 PM Sunday (36 hours).

Registration will open on January 1, 2026. 
Prices go up starting June 1, 2026.
There is no opportunity to register after October 16th.
Entry: The entry fee includes entry for one entrant into the running of the Gila 50-Mile Adventure Run, a race ice bandana, a race shirt, one goody bag with an assortment of swag from event sponsors (while supplies last), access to fully stocked aid stations, drop bag transport, lots of high-fives & hugs, a custom Gila 50 belt buckle for all finishers!, some post-race grub, and access to free race photos. Pick the size of your t-shirt during registration.
Late registration after August 30, 2026. Late registrants may not receive a finish buckle, race ice bandana or a shirt at the event. Click on the registration tab to sign up ASAP!

Packet pick up: Open Space Brewery at: 11990 US-180 in Santa Clara Armory, Santa Clara, NM on Friday, October 16, from 4pm-7pm.
Any packets that were not picked up Friday will be at the race start Saturday morning. Please come early if you can’t get your packet on Friday.

Saturday morning schedule:
Check in / Drop bag drop-off: 4:30-5:30 AM at Open Space Brewery at: 11990 US-180 in Santa Clara Armory, Santa Clara, NM
Pre-race Briefing: 5:50 AM
Race Start time: 6:00 AM (same as the 100 mile)

The course: The 50-mile race starts at the same time as the 100-mile race and both are run concurrently. The 100-milers continue on for a second loop. The course consists of single track trails, rocky and rolling jeep trails, and dirt roads. The route has some rough single track and also some nice single track trail, and some challenging climbs. There is approximately 7,387′ of climbing for the 50 miler (since it’s an out & back course there’s also approximately 7,387′ of elevation loss for a total of 14,774′ of elevation change). The course will be well marked with flagging and reflective tape at night.

Aid Stations: Located every 4.5-9.5 miles and stocked with electrolyte drink, warm food, and all the goodies you’ll need. They have all the supplies that you need to keep you on the trail. You can also have a drop bag waiting for you at Sapillo which is the halfway point. To see the updated chart with detailed info about each aid station, please click HERE.

Drop Bags: There is one drop bag location available for the 50 miler:
Sapillo Campground which you will access at the half way point, mile 25.
There will be a drop bag drop-off area at the start line on race morning, and they will be transported to the designated A/S for the runner. Please make sure that the runners name, bib number and aid station name is clearly written on the drop bag (“Sapillo”).
We will do our best to get drop bags back to the finish line ASAP but we can’t guarantee how long it will take.

Cut-off: the 50-mile race has a very generous cut-off time, the course will close at 6:00 pm on Sunday (which is the 100 mile race cut-off). Cut-off times will be adhered to. See the aid station chart for cut-off times.
This is definitely not an easy course. It is strongly recommended that those who enter the 50-miler have completed at least one difficult, mountainous 50-kilometer run and have trained properly for the hills and weather, or they will have a hard time.
There is no qualifying race for Gila 50 so please be prepared.
When a runner gets to an A/S and feels that going further is not an option it is best to just sit down, eat, and drink. As a last resort a runner always has the option to DNF and can catch a ride back to the finish from an A/S volunteer but you will likely regret it. If a runner does end up dropping from the race it is extremely important that the runner informs the A/S captain or RD and turn in their bib.
Runners cannot leave the course and return. If a runner leaves the course they will be disqualified.
Pacers: 50-milers are not allowed pacers (if you have a special need or exception, please reach out to the RD).

Crews: The only crew accessible aid stations will be: Start/Finish and Sapillo Campground. This is a backcountry adventure; crew is NOT allowed to meet their runner at any other location. Runners that fail to follow this rule will be DNF’d.

Weather: Suffice it to say, the weather during the Badger Mtn. Challenge is anything but predictable. It’s true that the course is quite hilly with rugged trail sections, but the weather is the main cause of our high DNF rate (in 2015 and 2016 our 100 miler finishing rate was just 34%). It can range from beautiful, sunny and 80 degrees, or it could be 35 degrees with 40 mph winds, rain, and white-out fog conditions. It’s VERY important that you come prepared with proper clothing. It’s not uncommon for some runners to experience hypothermia during this event, especially up on McBee ridge.

Awards: All finishers will receive a custom 50 mile finishers buckle.

RULE CLARIFICATION: 100-mile runners that drop down to the 50-mile distance ARE NOT eligible for podium finishes. If you are running in the top 3 in the 50-mile race and a 100-mile runner passes you and then drops down to the 50-mile race at the start/finish they will not take your podium finish from you.