About
Welcome to Machete Trail Madness, home of some of the toughest events in the USA . MTM is more than a race — it’s a movement. Since 2014 we been creating experiences that push limits, test endurance, and connect people through grit, heart, and community. From ultramarathons like Machete Trail Madness to the legendary Machete Muertos 200 — one of the hardest 200-mile races in the world — every event we build is designed to challenge the body, humble the mind, and awaken the spirit.
The Muertos 200 is brutal and beautiful — 200 miles with over 44,000 feet of elevation gain, relentless technical terrain, and a 96-hour cutoff that demands everything you’ve got. But what makes it truly special is the people. Our volunteers are the heart of every mile — staying up through the night, cheering, guiding, and making sure every runner has a fighting chance to reach the finish.
At Machete Madness, we celebrate perseverance, culture, and the spirit of never giving up — because out here, you either find your strength or you make it.
Dia De Los Muertos Ultramarathon
Join us for our 4th annual Dia De Los Muertos event (Day of the Dead) We will honor our dead with a joyful and positive celebration in those beautiful Lake Perris trails. Our community is the best, friendly and supportive, where your family can go camping to support you and enjoy a week at the Lake at no additional cost to them, a week camping alone is worth the registration, we also have CASH PRIZES for 100 and 200 Milers.
Important Note for All Participants: Our Día de Los Muertos races, including the Muertos 200-mile distance, are among the toughest out there. Our 200-miler is considered the hardest 200 miler based on the opinion of those who have run all the major 200s and finished or DNF this year. This is due in part to the challenging terrain, with unforgiving climbs and technical descents. These events are not training runs. Every distance is designed for participants who have trained specifically and prepared in advance.
Recommendation for the 200-Mile Distance: We recommend that participants have completed our own 100-mile race in the past or have experience with another 200-miler of similar difficulty. This ensures you are prepared for the technical terrain, physical demand, and the 96-hour cutoff. This is not a race where you can simply walk the entire distance. You will need to run and maintain a steady, focused pace throughout. We want every runner to have the best chance to succeed, and preparation is key.
As we like to say: “The more you f around, the more you’re gonna find out.” If you’re ready to find out — sign up.
Please review all the information on this registration page, all the way down to the bottom of the page as it will answer all your questions and provide you with links to our location and race course maps, but if you still can't find what you are looking for then reach out to us at machete@machetemadness.com
Video
Podium Prizes for Top 3 Overall 100 and 200 Miler
We’re excited to announce cash prizes for our 200-miler overall podium finishers! The top three will receive:
1st Place: $1,000
2nd Place: $600
3rd Place: $400
100-miler podium finishers! The top three will receive:
1st Place: $500
2nd Place: $300
3rd Place: $200
We can’t wait to see you conquer the course and earn these well-deserved rewards!
This is our way of celebrating your incredible endurance and dedication! All other distances are equally rewarding, but this is the pinnacle of our race.
Note on Other Distances
While we’re excited to offer cash prizes for our 100- and 200-mile podium finishers, we want to emphasize that every distance in our event is equally valued and celebrated. Each race distance is a significant challenge and a testament to your dedication and endurance. The cash prizes for the longer distances reflect the unique demands and the pinnacle of our event, but every participant, no matter the distance, contributes to the spirit and community of Trail Madness. We celebrate all accomplishments and look forward to cheering everyone on!
Trail Madness Double Challenge Custom Buckle!
Trail Madness 50x50 Double Challenge: Complete the 50K in April and the 50-miler in November to earn this Custom Buckle, currently being designed.
Machete Trail Madness 100x100 Double Challenge: Complete the 100K in April and the 100-miler in November to earn Custom Buckel.
Your training will naturally align with these challenges, building from the 50K to the 50-miler, and from the 100K to the 100-miler, ensuring a progressive and effective buildup.
Get ready to take on the ultimate endurance challenge! Registration for both events are now open.
Race Report by Michael Ortiz
Distances
10, 50, 100, 200 Miler plus a 20 Mile Ruck Division.
Courses
10 Mile+ Loop with 2,300 feet of elevation gain per lap for our 10 and 50 Milers.
20-mile course around the entire Lake for our 20 Mile Ruck Division, 100 and 200 Milers. This course has 4,500 feet of elevation gain.
Race Starts
200 Miler Starts Wednesday October 28 at 6:30 PM.
All other distances start Friday October 30, 2025 at 6:30 PM
RUCK DIVIONS WEIGHT: 20 LBS for Females, and 30 LBS for Men
Pacers
No Pacer for 10 Miler or Ruck Division. 50 Milers can pick up a pacer for their final lap. 100 Milers can have pacers after completing 3 laps (60 Miles) and 200 Milers once they complete 4 Laps (80 Miles) One pacer per runner but can be different pacers each lap.
Cut-Off Times
96 Hours for 200 Miler
48 Hours for 100 Miler
24 Hours for 50 Milers
12 hours for 20 Mile Ruck Division
No cut-off time for 10 milers
Aid Stations
Start and Finish line is your transition area, we will also have stuff for you there, but most runners have what they need there with their crew. We have full Aid Station at Mile 6 for 10 and 50 milers. Those running 20 Mile Ruck Division, 100 and 200 Miler will also have another aid station at mile 2.8.
Camping
Campground will be available Tuesday after 12:00 PM, checkout Monday by 10:00 AM. Come and enjoy the beautiful views of the Lake and surrounding mountains. Those doing 50, 100 and 200 Miles will need to camp, you can bring family and friends, pacers for FREE. This is Group Tent Campground, no trailers or hookups.
The Machete Madness Experience
This is a unique experience as it is more of a mental challenge due to the course format as it is very easy to finish a loop and quit, but our motto is Never Give Up so we will do anything we can to support you so you can get it done. You get to interact more with other runners since you are doing laps and running with each other, definitely a more interactive experience as you get to encourage and push each other to the finish line, your family and friends also gets to see you more often and you can pack lighter as you will have the chance to reload your nutrition and hydration at each lap you complete since the race course loops around into the Campgroup every lap.
Strava Maps
10 Mile Course:
20 Mile Course:
Directions to Group Picnic C
Location to Group Picnic, make sure you drive in from the Morene Valley entrance and not via Ramona Express Way. Group Picnic C is where the group campground is located, same as the start line and transition area.
More bang for your bucks
Free camping! That alone is worth it, free professional photos at no additional cost to you! By far the most bang for your buck of any race out there, the Machete Madness Experience, not just a race. The vision we have for our events is for people to make this the full Machete Madness experience, not just a race to show up and leave in a rush. We live a life that's always on the go, take a moment to smell the Roses.
NO REFUNDS
On rare and special occasions, we might consider a transfer to a future event if requested within 30 days prior to event.
Register today as it will sell out.
Event's current local time: 2:28 AM PT
