Set in the historic landscape of Capitan, New Mexico, the Capitan Mountain 34 Hour race, hosted by Yeti Trail Runners, offers an unforgettable trail running experience on April 17, 2026. This unique event embraces runners of all levels with a welcoming, community-focused atmosphere, emphasizing completion and personal achievement over strict competition. Participants can choose from timed distances of 34 hours, 12 hours, or 6 hours, all centered around a soft, runnable 4-mile loop course. This compact design simplifies logistics, making it manageable for both seasoned ultra-runners and those new to the sport, and allows for crew-optional participation.

The course is designed to be highly accessible, with the aid station and race headquarters conveniently located at the start/finish of the 4-mile loop. Runners will find fully stocked aid stations offering traditional ultra snacks, electrolytes, and soda, though participants should remember this is a cupless event and bring their own reusable cup. Adding to the distinctive charm of the race is its deep connection to the story of Smokey Bear; packet pickup takes place at Rob Jaggers Campground, which grants runners free entry to the Smokey Bear Museum and his final resting place, allowing participants to run where the iconic bear's story began.

Beyond the trails, the Capitan Mountain 34 Hour is renowned for its supportive "no DNF" philosophy, where times are recorded from 25K upwards, encouraging every runner to push their limits without the pressure of a disqualification. Exceptional achievements are recognized with special buckles, including awards for 100-mile finishers, an 80th Birthday Smokey Bear buckle for 80 miles, and a "magical buckle" for those completing 100 miles in under 24 hours. With typical race day conditions seeing highs around 73°F and lows near 40°F, and only a 2% chance of precipitation, runners can anticipate favorable weather as they chase their ultra dreams under the New Mexico skies.