Foundation started to keep Micah True’s Copper Canyon Ultra race alive

Micah True, aka Caballo Blanco

The Associated Press is reporting that a foundation has been created to keep the Copper Canyon ultramarathon alive. The 50+ mile race was started in 2003 by Micah True, the ultra-runner also known as Caballo Blanco who started the event in Mexico. True, 58, was found dead in New Mexico earlier this month.

He became widely known in running circles as one of the central figures in the best-selling book “Born to Run,” which told the story of the Tarahumara tribe in Mexico and their members’ penchant for healthy living and long-distance running.

You can read the full story here.

‘Caballo Blanco’ Micah True found dead in New Mexico

Micah True, aka Caballo Blanco

Sad news in the world of running tonight. Micah True, aka Caballo Blanco, was found dead Saturday evening in the Gila National Forest of New Mexico.

True had been missing for four days, last seen leaving a lodge to go out on a 12-mile run. He was 58.

True was made famous as a central figure in the book “Born to Run,” which examined the Tarahumara Indians of Mexico and their generations-long habit of mimimalist and barefoot running. The book, as well as the insights gained from True (he lived with the tribe for a time), were major influences in the recent boom in barefoot and minimalist running. Since the book was published, devotees to minimalist running have exploded in number while the athletic shoe industry has catered to the trend with a large offering of minimalist shoes.

True was also a major figure in the running community in and around Boulder, Colo., and was a well-known ultra-runner. He was the race director for the Copper Canyon Ultra Marathon.

Officials say that his body showed no obvious signs of trauma, according to news reports. No cause of death has been reported. It has been reported that he was wearing shorts and a T-shirt while carrying a water bottle when his body was found.

You can read a more full account of this story here.