Introducing El Jefe 100: Destination Trail's Newest Desert Race Debuts in 2027
Destination Trail is thrilled to announce the debut of El Jefe 100, a brand-new 105-mile trail ultramarathon set to make its first appearance in April 2027. Born from the same wild Arizona terrain that defines the Arizona Monster 300, El Jefe 100 offers a breathtaking, fully supported desert ultra experience for runners who've been eyeing the 200- and 300-mile distance and thought: not yet.
"This is a race that brings everything Destination Trail is known for — the terrain, the support, the community — to a distance that opens the door wider," says Candice Burt, founder of Destination Trail. "I’m excited to see more runners experience this desert that holds a special place in my heart."
The Name
Deep in the Sonoran Desert, a lone jaguar once roamed the Sky Island wilderness. Researchers named him El Jefe: "The Boss." He became a symbol of the wild resilience of this landscape, and this race is a tribute to that spirit. His story is the spirit this race is built on.
Because whether you're a jaguar slipping silently through the desert at night or a runner grinding through mile 90 with sand in your shoes and fire in your legs, it takes a certain kind of grit to claim your place out there.
The Race
El Jefe 100 takes place the same week as the Arizona Monster 300 on a portion of the same course. If you've always wanted to run the Arizona 300 but felt like 300 miles was a bridge too far, this race is for you.
Expect the same desert, the same Destination Trail support, and more approachable distance. (We said more approachable — not easy. It's still 105 miles through the Arizona backcountry.)
Course Details
El Jefe is a point-to-point route beginning at the Tiger Mine Trailhead near Oracle, AZ, and ending in Superior, AZ. The course runs almost entirely on remote singletrack through classic Sonoran Desert terrain — saguaro, palo verde, and mesquite stitching a scrubby green canopy across the landscape — all on National Forest Lands.
Miles: 105
Elevation Gain: 12,548'
Elevation Loss: 13,910'
Aid Stations: 6
Cutoff: 36 hours
View the El Jefe Course Map and download theRunner Manual for full details on aid stations, gear requirements, cutoffs, and drop bags.
