Vermejo Charcoal Burner
Date
Sat, May 16, 2026, 9:30 AM MDTDistance
Half MarathonTrail race
Quick take
Run a half marathon on private ranch roads amidst captivating wildlife, starting and finishing at historic charcoal ovens in the stunning Southern Rockies.
Best for: runners who like a competitive edge
Race feel
- Scenic
- Competitive
- Quirky
Scenic
Competitive
QuirkyExperience the Vermejo Charcoal Burner, a half marathon set within the vast 558,000-acre Vermejo Park Ranch in the Southern Rockies. This unique event takes runners across closed private roads, rural dirt roads, and well-maintained gravel surfaces, offering captivating wildlife views and stunning natural beauty. The course begins and ends at New Mexico's only remaining historic charcoal ovens, adding a distinctive touch to your journey. Aid stations are strategically placed to support runners throughout the 13.1-mile challenge. Embrace the burn in this extraordinary setting.
What to expect
- A 13.1-mile course on two-track ranch roads, rural dirt roads, and well-maintained gravel.
- Aid stations strategically placed along the route.
- Start and finish at New Mexico's only historic charcoal ovens.
Past results at a glance
Past race snapshot
What the field usually feels like
Based on past public results. Helpful context, not a prediction.
Selected year + distance
40 finishers in 13.1 Miles
Ranked by chip time when available
Very small finish count here - use this as loose context, not a race-day expectation.
Crowd
Small field
40 13.1 Miles finishers. A quieter race where the pack may spread out more quickly.
Typical finish
2:59:04
Middle-of-pack benchmark using chip time when available.
Competitive feel
Lively front
The faster end moves well, but the race still has room for everyday runners. Front-group read: 2:11:46.
People mix
Balanced mix
About 50% women and 50% men among finishers who listed gender.
Quick read
For the 13.1 Miles in 2025, this looks like a small field: 40 finishers in this data set. A middle-of-the-pack finish was around 2:59:04. The quicker front of the field averaged about 2:11:46. Use it as a feel check, not a promise about race day.
Fastest finishers in this file: 2:08:48 (male) and 2:11:45 (female).
Show historical award cutoffs0 rows
Cutoff = slowest posted time still inside the top finishers for a division.
Show the year-by-year numbers
| Distance | Year | Finishers | Typical | Average | Front 10% | Fastest M / W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13.1 Miles | 2025 | 40 | 2:59:04 | 3:02:23 | 2:11:46 | 2:08:48 / 2:11:45 |
Last summary update: May 10, 2026
Ready to register?
Finish signup on the organizer site (check fees and dates there).
From the organizer
IMPORTANT INFORMATION Participant Guide Long - 99m 8:00am Medium - 66m 9:00am Short - 41m 9:15am Run - 13. 6m 9:30am Vermejo is excited to announce the Forth Annual Charcoal Burner Gravel Ride and Run, set for May 16th, 2026.
Read full descriptionHide full description
Join us for an incredible experience at Vermejo Park Ranch, an expansive 558,000-acre property in the Southern Rockies, featuring closed private roads amidst the captivating wildlife. For gravel bike enthusiasts, choose from our unique routes covering a variety of distances, or customize your ride to fit your preferred challenge. Runners can take on the half marathon, a 13. 4-mile course through the scenic beauty of Vermejo Park Ranch. The courses feature two-track ranch roads, rural dirt roads, and well-maintained gravel roads. Aid stations strategically placed along the routes will ensure your needs are met, with support provided for both the gravel ride and the half marathon. Embark on this extraordinary journey, starting and ending at the only remaining historic charcoal ovens in New Mexico. Embrace the burn, and we look forward to welcoming you in May for a day of exhilarating races against the stunning backdrop of Vermejo Park Ranch. Race Categories: Gravel Bike Long 99 miles Route Payout top 5 overall men/women (combined min $4200) 1st $800 | 2nd $600 | 3rd $400 | 4th $200 | 5th $100 Podiums: Women Under 40 / Women 40+, Men under 40/ Men 40+ Medium 66 miles Route Podiums Women Under 40 / Women 40+, Men under 40/ Men 40+ Short 41 miles - eBikes Permitted (see restrictions below) Route Women Under 40 / Women 40+, Men under 40/ Men 40+ Gravel Run Route 13. 1 mi. / 21 km - Women / Women 40+, Men / Men 40+ Packet Pickup/ Check-in - Saturday May 16th Run 6:00am -8:30am Ride 6:00am - 8:30am Onsite Registration - CASH OR CHECK ONLY Run 6:00am - 8:30am Ride 6:00am - 8:30am PLEASE NOTE: Due to the remote nature of Vermejo, cellular coverage is extremely limited. We HIGHLY recommend downloading the course map for offline usage. eBikes- Class 1 and 3 eBikes are permitted in the 41mile distance. Riders are not eligible for podiums.