However, regarding the annual Chupinaya Mountain Race, we're not sure if this is considered an activity or a punishment. This highly competitive event consists of a grueling 14 km trail race that not only tests your cardio, but your sanity as well. Chupinaya means "stone carved" in Spanish as there are many areas of exposed rock along the trail that runners have to find a way to scramble over.
We had no desire to run this race ourselves, but we definitely wanted to cheer on those crazy enough to attempt this very punishing terrain.
The most challenging alternate path, known as the "wild route", is aptly named. At 14 km of intense trail running, there are even parts of the trail that require hand ropes to be installed in order to assist runners up the near vertical rock faces.
Runners of all ages accept the rigors of this race. We saw racers as young as 10 years old up to 82 years young. We had a blast cheering on individual racers since their names were printed on their race bibs. We were super impressed with the tenacity and sheer grit shown during this race.
If you are interested in a personal contest against nature it will only cost you 370 pesos ($21) to participate. The race is limited to around 700 runners, so mark your calendar for July 2018, and come to Mexico for a great experience in the Sierra Madre mountains.
~Randy
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