About

Welcome to Machete Trail Madness, home of the toughest Ultramarathons USA. MTM is more than a race; it's an experience, and not just for the runners but the whole family and crews. 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 100k to the legendary Machete Muertos 200; one of the hardest 200-mile races in the world with only 12 finishers in its first two years. 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.

You get top-tier race swag, fully stocked aid stations, and family-friendly camping at no extra cost. We’ve built a community and experience that goes beyond running, so don’t miss out on locking in this deal today! DEADLINE to guarantee your shirts and medals/buckles is September 20. Register by then to guarantee your 2027 Día de Los Muertos race shirt. And remember, MTM races sell out, so don’t wait.

Dia De Los Muertos Ultramarathon

Join us for our 5th 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.

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. 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 racecourse maps, but if you still can't find what you are looking for then reach out to us at machete@machetemadness.com

Video

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.

Distances

10, 50, 100, 200 Miler

Courses

10-Mile Loop (2,300' gain per lap)
• 10 Miler = 1 loop
• 50 Miler = 5 loops
20-Mile Lake Loop (4,400' gain per lap)
• 100 Miler = 5 loops
• 200 Miler = 10 loops

Race Starts

200 Miler Starts Wednesday October 27 at 6:30 PM.
All other distances start Friday October 29, 2027 at 6:30 PM

Pacers

No Pacer for 10 Miler. 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

200 Miler: 96 Hours (Must reach 100 miles by Friday at 6:30 PM.)
100 Miler: 48 Hours
50 Miler: 24 Hours
10 Miler: No Cutoff
Final Lap Policy

To start your final lap, you must have enough time remaining to reasonably finish before the race cutoff. Race management may use your fastest completed lap as the benchmark.

Example: If your fastest lap was 8 hours and only 7 hours remain before cutoff, you will not be allowed to continue.

All cutoff decisions are final.

Aid Stations & Crew Access

The Start/Finish Area is where runners and crews will be camping throughout the event. This is your home base for crew support, nutrition, gear, clothing changes, rest, and sleep. Come prepared and keep the food and supplies you plan to use during the race at your campsite. On-course aid stations are designed to supplement your race plan, not be your entire race plan.

Machete 2.0 Aid Station
Mile 6 (10-Mile Loop)
Mile 8 (20-Mile Loop)
Water, VINIA Blood Flow Hydration™, Ice (weather permitting), hot chicken broth & vegetable broth (weather permitting)
Bananas, Oranges, Saltine crackers, Oreo cookies, Cup O' Noodles, Additional snacks as available

Bernasconi Aid Station
Mile 13 (20-Mile Loop Only)
Crew Access: 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Drop Bag Access: Available for 100 & 200 Milers. Drop bags must be turned in before the race start.
Includes everything at Machete 2.0, plus: Watermelon, Quesadillas, Eggs (morning hours), Boiled potatoes with salt, Pickles & pickle juice, Pretzels, Tortilla chips, Ramen noodles. Additional hot foods and snacks as available.

The runners who succeed at Machete Trail Madness come prepared, follow a nutrition plan, and use their crew, camp setup, and drop bags effectively.

Camping

Camping opens Tuesday at 12:00 PM and checkout is Monday at 10:00 AM.

Enjoy a week of running, community, and incredible views of the lake and surrounding mountains.

50, 100, and 200 Milers should plan to camp onsite. Family, friends, crew members, and pacers may camp free of charge.

Parking is limited. Carpool whenever possible.

This is a group tent camping area. Please contact us if you have questions regarding RV accommodations.

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:

More bang for your bucks

The FREE camping is worth the registration fee and your family can join you, not just the participant, in addition we have free professional photos at no additional cost to you, free participant shirts of great quality, and no charge for your pacer to run with you; by far the more 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.

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.

Strava Club - Join Us

Event's current local time: 10:37 PM PT