Monarch Ultra
March 2023
Monarch Ultra Update
August 19, 2022
For this year, the organizers are hosting a delegation of city officials from Zitácuaro, September 9 to 11th in Peterborough. The purpose of the visit is to support the project advocating for the Monarch Butterflies, as well promoting their city, also known as the Monarch Butterfly capital of Mexico, for preservation and tourism. The visit will include meetings with local indigenous people at Camp Kawartha and Curve Lake, connecting with environmental students at Trent University and a festive event at Market Hall in Peterborough. The event entry is free and promises to be a great event with food, speeches, music and making connections. REGISTER HERE Butterflies Connect People (for additional info)
Organizers have already started talking about organizing the 2023 Monarch Ultra.
The plan is to hold one run in Peterborough, Canada, one in Milwaukee, USA and in Zitácuaro, Mexico. There are several good reasons to change the format from the first 2 campaigns, cost, time commitment and broader public impact are just some of them. The run will be open to shorter distance runners, as well the Ultra length of 50 km. Details will be posted once the planning is finalized.
Monarch Ultra 2021
August 19, 2022
The 2021 Route
Due to Covid-19, the route was adjusted to remain safely in Ontario only for the relay run. In September, the runners ran from Peterborough to Barrie, Ontario, a total distance of 1,800 km along the Great Trail and Waterfront Trail. Clay Williams created another stellar route, that did not require running on highways at all! Ultra runners ran legs of 30km, 50km or 80km over 21 days. While participants could not cross international borders and follow the monarch migration, the organizers message of conservation and running for monarch butterflies remained the same.
What does a 1,800 km Ultra Marathon look like?
Virtual Run:
Numerous runners celebrated the wonder of the monarch migration by virtually running 10km from anywhere in North America. The virtual run coincided with the monarch's spring migration, as they started heading north in search of food and milkweed. Each time a runner finished their 10km distance, a monarch symbol moved further north on the map. Starting in Macheros, Mexico at the Cerro Pelon Sanctuary, and moving north towards Peterborough, Ontario, this symbolic run helped to raise awareness for monarch butterflies.
Donate to an ultra runner or a 10k virtual runner OR make a direct donation.
Select Monarch Ultra Marathon in the dropdown menu. A tax receipt will be issued and sent to you as soon as you donate.
Donations raised through the Virtual 10km will support Camp Kawartha, a non-profit organization offering nature education and environmental stewardship programs for youth.
For more information visit the Monarch Ultra website.
Original story, Shelly Duben, August 29, 2019, as part of the "Spotlight on Service" series.

Transformation: Similar to monarch butterflies who go through a remarkable transformation (from egg, to caterpillar, to chrysalis, to butterfly), ultra-running is a transformative experience for runners because of the extreme distances they are covering.
Unity: At a time of great political divide, an ultra-run that spans three countries, two international borders and a diversity of cultures is a call for unity to work together to solve global problems including climate change, environmental degradation, and pollinator loss.
Raising Awareness: The organizers are using their gifts as film-makers, pollinator advocates, and runners to raise awareness of these beautiful insects whose populations are in steep decline. The Monarch Ultra is their way of creating dialogue on the importance of pollinators and of their significance to biodiversity and food security.