Carlsbad Road Runners Host Second Annual Ocotillo Trail Endurance Challenge

By R. Gabriel Villalobos

The Carlsbad Road Runners are gearing up for the second annual Ocotillo Trail Endurance Challenge (OTEC), an event that offers something a little different for local runners.

The race is set for November 7 at 8 a.m. and features a unique time-based format rather than a traditional distance race. All categories start at 8 a.m. at the Southeast New Mexico College parking lot, with runners attempting to complete as many laps as possible on a scenic trail up and down the Ocotillo Trail.

“A lap is: you leave from the bottom, you hit the top, we give them a poker chip to verify that they made it to the top, they come back down, and then they have a jar assigned to them,” explained co-organizer Ron Haugen. “That’s how we’re tabulating how many laps they’ve done.”

The event features three categories: a one-hour, four-hour, and eight-hour race. The winner is the person who runs the most laps within their time frame. Last year, the eight-hour winner completed just shy of 50 miles.

Co-organizer Liz Cheli said the format creates a unique atmosphere.

“It’s fun because you have spectators at the bottom and spectators up here,” Cheli said. “It’s a lot different than your typical trail run where you’re kind of alone the whole time. So, I think it keeps people going.”

The trail itself is a point of pride for the organizers, who describe it as a hidden gem.

“It’s a nice clean trail. It’s a mile up, it’s a mile down,” Haugen said. “When you get to the top, you get to look out over the entire town... We’ve had some nice rain recently, so everything’s nice and green right now.”

Cheli noted that many locals are unaware the trail exists or haven’t visited in years.

“The city really takes good care of it,” she said. “So, I like to highlight it to remind people it’s here.”

Beyond promoting the trail, the event serves a charitable purpose. The Carlsbad Road Runners, founded about a year and a half ago, donate proceeds to local nonprofits. Last year, they raised approximately $2,000 for the Desert Willow Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. This year’s beneficiary is Affirming Hearts Victim Services.

“They’re the agency in town that if there’s a report of child abuse, sexual assaults—these are the people that intervene and begin that investigative process and help the children and family members heal,” Haugen said.

The event is designed to be an accessible introduction to trail running, welcoming participants of all ages and skill levels.

“It’s very welcome to anyone,” Cheli said. “People walk it. It’s not anything too intense. It’s what you make of it.”

Haugen emphasized that the event is not just for advanced runners.

“It’s a nice beginner sort of trail run experience for people,” he said. “I think anyone who’s in the running world, trail running is usually like these very long ultramarathons in the middle of nowhere...and this is a good introduction.”

The event has garnered support from local businesses, including Artesia General Hospital, HTO, La Tienda, Stoned Ape, and Full Send Coffee.

While most local races are road 5Ks, the organizers wanted to offer something different for the community.

“We wanted to run something different as well,” Haugen said.

Looking ahead, the club is open to ideas for future events, from an adult track meet to exploring more trails at the Living Desert.

“We’re open to any ideas,” Cheli said. “We’re just kind of gauging what people are interested in.”

For now, the focus is on making the second annual OTEC a success and continuing to grow Carlsbad’s running community.

“We want to welcome everyone,” Haugen said. “It’s not for advanced runners; it’s an introduction to trail running, which is maybe not as popular as road races.”