Academy of Pain (AoP)
2026: April 11, 2026 (6am-6pm)
Join us for a day of doing hard things and seeing just how far you can go! This will be the fifth year and I’m honored to take over Race Directing this event from Avidya Running! Every year this event grows a little bigger and we go a little further.
Facebook event link: https://www.facebook.com/events/1363318308289925
Last long run for Jemez, anyone? Jumpstart your spring training with us with a ridiculous amount of loops around Academy: 12 hours of fun at your own pace, with friends, and with plenty of snacks. The goal is to always do just one more loop.
PARKING & START
You are welcome to park anywhere on the Academy Loop and jump in, but there is free parking on the surrounding residential streets and back lot of the library.
Cherry Hills Public Library
6901 Barstow St NE, Albuquerque, NM 87111
DO I HAVE TO STAY FOR 12 HOURS?
This is a 12-hour event, so while we hope you’ll push yourself for as many hours as possible, you are more than welcome to jump in at any time and run any distance/amount of time.
DO I NEED TO REGISTER?
Nope! RSVP’ing on Facebook helps us estimate numbers, but we know not everyone has FB. You can also just show up and sign in.
WHAT AWARDS?
A fat ass traditionally does not have awards, but AoP has a tradition of handmade awards for 50k, 50 Mile, 100k, and PR (your personal longest distance record!).
HOW DO I TRACK MY LOOPS?
The tally board to count your loops and aid station will be at the intersection of Barstow and Harper (at the stoplight). Each loop = 1 tally.
FOOD BATHROOMS WATER?
This event is free and unsupported. Please bring everything you need to hit your goals and BRING SOMETHING TO SHARE at the aid station. Many people bring food, coolers, clothes, chairs, and you can also stop at your car to resupply any time. We will have an aid station stockpile of snacks if everyone brings a treat. There are no bathrooms directly on the course (the loop runs around a private school), but there are plenty of free restrooms nearby or across the street. You may leave and come back anytime.
THE COURSE
The loop is 3.4 miles (ish) and flat (ish). It is mostly crushed gravel, but a few places have sidewalk or an optional bike path. Dogs and strollers allowed and welcome.
HISTORICAL RESULTS
2022
2023: 42 people ran 286 laps.
That’s 942 miles (an average of nearly 23 miles/person).
4 folks finished 50 miles, 10 ran at least a 50k (and at least two of those ran their first 50k ever!), and at least three 20 milers (another first for at least one monster out there!).
2024: 43 People ran 440 laps.
That’s 1496 miles (an average of 34.7 miles/person).
This year was filled with runners chasing their PRs on the course including the 10 miler, heavy half and full marathon. Three folks cranked out 100K, with 15 more cruising to 50K. An impressive finish of 50 milers topping last years numbers.
2025: 39 People ran 231 laps.
That’s 773 miles (an average of 19.8 miles/person)
From the RD: Our coldest AoP yet! The mountains blanketed in snow clouds sent gusty freezing winds down all day (well the last hour was nice!), but we still had the most 50 mile finishers and tons of new friends. Thank you everyone for sharing your favorite foods, probably some of your least favorite miles, and we hope your legs are as sore as ours.”