A JOURNEY OF SELF DISCOVERY
150-hours. 45 runners. 5 different courses. Zero pavement. One race.
This race breaks the mold. A timed race with 5 different routes, 55 miles of course, and a unique and challenging format. This race will force you to be alone for long stretches. Most of the time, you will not know what route is coming next, which makes planning difficult, and the ability to adapt is crucial. Pacers will never be allowed. The Pilgrimage is more than a race; it’s a journey of self-discovery. It will take place in the beautiful high desert of Western Colorado.
THE PILGRIMAGE COURSE
This course is not overly difficult, and the elevation gain is not extreme by any measure. The average altitude is a bit over 5000 ft. It has some beautiful sections with jaw-dropping views of the Colorado river, and it has some sections that have a desolate (but beautiful) desert vibe. It is a mix of single track, dirt roads, and ATV track/road with zero pavement. This is not an overly busy area, especially during the week. You will have lots of solitude.
All distances are approximate and rounded. They were determined by mapping on Gaia, CalTopo, and then by doing the course myself. All came very close, and the differences were negligible for a race like this. So, I gave preference to my activity, which was recorded using the most accurate settings on a Garmin Enduro 2. My activity was also what showed each section being the longest and with the most elevation gain, which is typical.
Your watch might come up with something a little different – please remember, we don’t care. This is very close.
Green route – 6.7 miles, 581 ft gain, 87 ft/mile.
Orange route – 11.3 miles, 1219 ft gain, 108 ft/mile
Red route – 11.9 miles, 1537 ft gain, 129 ft/mile
White route – 12.6 miles, 1397 ft gain, 111 ft/mile
Blue route – 12.8 miles, 1174 ft gain, 92 ft/mile
Totals (1 journey) = 55.3 miles, 5908 ft gain, 107 ft/mile
(About 10,700 ft of gain/100-miles)
***At any point between now and race day the course could/will change. We are currently working on a modification to the orange route, per BLM request. With luck, all other routes will be the same.
A FORMAT UNLIKE ANY OTHER ULTRA
All 5 routes have different names and corresponding colors.
Each route will start from the Home Base. While the format will often split you up on course, you will see plenty of friendly faces at the home base at the conclusion of each route.
One Journey = the completion of all 5 routes
Each route must be completed to move on to the next journey. You will get mileage credit for each route beyond 4 journeys.
All Journeys have unique orders or ways of determining order listed below.
Journey #1 (Genesis)
All runners will do the routes in the same order on their first journey (pre-determined by us). The first course will not be revealed until 60 minutes before the beginning of the race. Each subsequent route will be revealed to runners as they finish each course. Enjoy the company while it lasts.
Journey #2 (Roulette)
Draw straws. Each individual will have a straw for each of the 5 routes. They must do the routes in the order that they are drawn. Straws will be drawn at the conclusion of each route.
Journey #3 (Isolation)
Routes alternate as runners come in. Route 1 for runner 1, route 2 for runner 2, etc. After initial route determination runners will do routes in the order of Journey #1, depending on which route they start on.
Journey #4 (Inversion)
Reverse order of #3. This means the last course done in #3 will be completed twice in a row, and the first done in #3 will be around 100-miles before another attempt.
Journey #5 (Unbound)
You choose which route you do next.
Journey #6 (Augmentation)
Shortest route to longest, in order. The estimated Journey where winners will be decided.
Journey 7+ (Revelations)
If achieved all additional Journeys are Unbound (choose the order).
An RD will be on site and awake 24/7. After each route completion you must check in with an RD. We will let you know what you are doing next, so don't worry if it seems confusing right now.
IMPORTANT - Failure to complete four full Journeys will result in a DNF. That’s about 220-miles in 150-hours. This equates to about 41minutes/mile and about 35-miles/day. Every completed ROUTE over 4 journeys will be counted towards your total mileage.
CREW
NO PACERS EVER! In the first year there will be a crewed and an uncrewed division. The uncrewed division will have its own standings, awards, records, etc. Additionally, the OVERALL winner of the uncrewed division will receive free LIFETIME entry to The Pilgrimage. Crewed runners are not eligible for this prize.
If you’ve been looking for a long race that rewards uncrewed runners, this one’s for you. Being uncrewed means you will never have dedicated crew on site, and you will never receive assistance from someone else’s crew. You may receive help from us (RD’s and volunteers) and your fellow runners.
CREWED RUNNERS
Crew members can help only at the home base. Any contact with crew members outside the home base will lead to immediate disqualification on the first offense. Your crew can help with whatever is necessary at the home base. Crewed runners are allowed two onsite vehicles - one for them, and one for crew. They are NEVER allowed more than two vehicles onsite at one time. A travel trailer or fifth wheel will not count as one of the two vehicles, but only one RV is allowed/runner (including crew).
AID STATION AND FOOD
We will have one aid station at the home base with hot food made to order and typical runner’s junk. If you need something special to eat, bring it. You can bring your own grill etc. and cook whatever you’d like. For drinks, we will have water, Proxima C Endurance Fuel, Coke, and Ginger Ale. Hot food will be burgers, brats, hot dogs, Ramen, cheese quesadillas, and mashed potatoes (with additional vegan options of each). Cold food will be junk food, tortillas, PB & J, Hummus, Sandwiches, and some fruit. If it’s not listed above and you want it – bring it! If you forget something, a grocery store is not too far. We will have ice on your drinks, but we will not provide ice (for your coolers, etc.). We will make daily ice runs. If you'd like a bag of ice delivered to you daily for your personal coolers, please add that to your cart during registration - we have an option in the ultrasignup store/add-ons section.
This is a CUPLESS race. You will get a small collapsible cup with race registration; this is the only cup you will receive from us. If you require more than a small collapsible cup, bring it.
You will be mostly self-sustained. Bring everything you need for your own foot care, etc. There will be no medical on site. We will have a portable shower and Porta Potties on site.
ADDITIONAL RULES AND INFORMATION
As with most timed races, you are allowed to start as late as you want and end as early as you want. You will be counted for the miles you accumulate in the designated 150-hours. No early starts, no late finishes. You must complete your last lap before the 150-hours expires – coming in 1 second late means that lap does not count.
You are allowed to come and go as you please. Just let us know. If you want to head to town to go out for drinks and food with some fellow runners at some point, go for it! Grand Junction (35 min) and Fruita (25 min) have tons of fantastic options.
Failure to complete four full Journeys will result in a DNF. That’s about 220-miles in 150-hours. This equates to about 41minutes/mile and about 35-miles/day. Every completed ROUTE over 4 journeys will be counted towards your total mileage.
You must have SEPARATE GPX files for each course and know how to use them. We will not help you with these at the race. It is up to you to know where you are going and to “navigate” with the help of your GPX files and the course markings. If you know how to use a GPX file on your watch and phone, you should have no issues whatsoever. Our goal is to mark the course well enough that you do not have to use navigation, but you must have the files anyway. If you do not know how to use such files and are not willing to put the time into these BEFORE the race, DO NOT register for The Pilgrimage.
The Pilgrimage is not for you if….
You are a “needy” runner.
If you are scared of being alone, often in the dark, for long periods of time.
If you require pacers to succeed.
Feel free to ask questions! But, if you have any questions that relate to an exception to the rules, don’t ask them. The answer is no.
There will likely be some required gear for our permit. We will make it as minimal as possible. We will require you to have the GPX files and know how to use them, but we aren’t going to check you for these files or for competence. Just know that if we must come rescue you because you failed to prepare, your race is over.
RV’s, Tents, Accommodations – Feel free to bring your RV, sprinter vans, etc. All are fine. But there are no electric or water hookups. We will be renting multiple group campgrounds that are all located in one large area. We will have a large sleep tent (and extra tents on hand if necessary) with more cots and blankets than this amount of people could ever need. If you plan to use the communal sleep tent and require a pillow (rather than a rolled-up blanket) you should bring that. We will also have pop-ups with seating areas and covered space for coolers, bags, etc. You could easily rely on our pop-ups and sleep station and do everything else out of your vehicle. You are of course allowed to sleep in your vehicle as well.
EPIC SWAG & AWARDS FOR AN EPIC RACE
All registrations will receive a super light and comfortable sun hoodie, a draw string bag, a sticker, and an Ultraverse Collapsible Cup.
Custom Sheridan buckles will be awarded to all runners who complete 4 full journeys. Each buckle will be custom made with the year, and mileage accumulated. Obviously, these will be ordered immediately after the event and mailed. We will pay for the shipping. The quality of the custom buckles will be superb. Those who do not complete 4 journeys will be considered a DNF – and they will receive a DNF buckle. It will be the nicest DNF award you’ve ever received.
The winners of the crewed and uncrewed divisions (male and female) will receive a special award (TBD), likely a trophy, acrylic, plaque, etc. Additionally, the overall winner of the UNcrewed race will receive FREE ENTRY FOR LIFE TO THE PILGRIMAGE. Free entry cannot be gifted and must be used prior to a sellout.
RUNNERS MANUAL
Coming Soon.....
PHOTOGRAPHY & MEDIA
Limping Deer LLC will be providing media coverage for the race! They will be hosting onsite podcasts, live streaming, and taking photos.
DEFERRAL POLICY
Our policy for this race is a bit different than our others simply because it is such a big commitment to show up for a weeklong race! People need more time to plan and schedule. Additionally, we are only allowing 45 runners. In the event of a sellout a spot would be very difficult to fill if too close to the race.
Deferrals for 100% credit any time prior to 90 days before the race
Deferrals for 75% credit any time prior to 60 days before the race
Deferrals for 50% credit any time prior to 30 days before the race
No credit within one month of the race.
No Exceptions. No refunds. No bib transfers.
DEFERRAL INSTRUCTIONS
•Races should deferred/withdrawn from BY THE RUNNER, rather than by messaging/emailing us.
• You will earn credit for ANY Ultraverse Supplements race, rather than being limited to the race in which you cancelled/deferred.
• The credit will be attached to your Ultrasignup account and will automatically apply the next time you register for an Ultraverse Supplements event. Note - sending an email to us does not initiate the cancellation of your registration. You must do this yourself for the credit to apply. You can do this by signing into Ultrasignup and then going to your registrations and clicking “edit”.
• Your credit appears in your registration history under "outstanding credits and coupons".
• Credit will be valid for one year, cannot be “gifted” to another runner, and you must use the same Ultrasignup account in which you originally registered for the race that you withdrew from.
You can see all Ultraverse Supplements races at www.ultraversesupplements.com.
MILITARY DISCOUNT
All veterans and active military get 10% off. You must reach out for your discount code BEFORE registering! Thank you for your service!
Event's current local time: 2:03 AM MT
