Discover these extraordinary Arizona trail races, from beginner-friendly courses to epic challenges for seasoned runners. Find your next race and register today!
The 10 races I have featured here are a Greatest Hits collection of Arizona trail running with something to suit every runner from the first time newbie to the grizzled veteran and everyone in between. Click on the links to go straight to each race’s registration page and, in case registration is not open yet, just hit the watch tab and set up an alert so you can get emailed when it does!
This list is in chronological order.
Finally, I have ranked each race’s difficulty level based on accessibility (how remote the event is and crew access) and the type of terrain (including altitude, total elevation gain, course profile, and exposure).
🟢 = super friendly for first-time trail runners
🟦 = an intermediate experience
🖤 = you love a good challenge!
Don’t let my ranking discourage you from registering! With the right planning and training, these events are achievable for any skill level. Believe in yourself, put in the work, and you’ll be ready to crush it!
📍 Fountain Hills, AZ
👣 25K, 50K
📅 January 18, 2025
Organized by BQuick Running
Enjoy one or two loops of the pristine Pemberton Trail in McDowell Mountain Park just east of Phoenix. A great 50K for a first timer, Pemberton offers smooth, flowy singletrack at a time of year when the weather in the Arizona desert is second to none. A perfect race for a new-to-trail-runner wanting to make the jump to the ultra distance.
[Register]
📍 Tucson, AZ
👣 25 Miles, 50 Miles
📅 March 1, 2025
Organized by Ryan Niccum
Started by a group of rugged Tucson trail runners way back in 1985, Old Pueblo is an Arizona Classic. A classic blend of hardscrabble southern Arizona ecosystems, “OP” as its called locally, brings runners back year after year for an early spring reunion. Traversing a blend of smooth singletrack and jeep roads spiced up by some chunky rocky sections and sneaky steep climbs, Old Pueblo is a gift that keeps on giving.
[Register]
📍 Lake Pleasant, AZ
👣 50K
📅 March 22, 2025
Organized by Aravaipa Running
True to its tagline “from the spines to the pines” Crown King is an uphill runner’s dream. Started in the late-80s by a group of Arizonans training for Western States, Crown King is an all uphill course taking runners from the hot desert floor on the shores of Lake Pleasant to the cool, crisp pine forests in the historic mining town of Crown King. The finish party at the Crown King Saloon, the oldest continuously operating bar in the state, is always a good time.
[Register]
📍 Payson, AZ
👣 27 Miles, 50 Miles
📅 April 26, 2025
Organized by Joe Galope
Crisscrossing the Mogollon Rim on the historic Highline Trail, the Zane Grey trail races have been attracting hardcore trail runners to central Arizona for over 30 years. Known for its short, steep climbs and rutted out trails, Zane Grey provides an honest test for even the most battle tested trail runners.
[Register]
📍 Black Canyon City, AZ
👣 39 Miles, 82 Miles, 125 Miles, 250 Miles
📅 May 5-10, 2025
Organized by Aravaipa Running
Showcasing the history and scenic beauty of Central Arizona, the Cocodona 250 is a journey through time. The brainchild of Aravaipa Running owner Jamil Coury, Cocodona is more than a race, it’s a weeklong celebration of a time and a place that is at once fleeting as it is transcendent.
[Register]
🏜️ Want more of these Sedona Red Rock Views? Check out the “VUE” ~ the Vortex Ultra Experience on April 19, 2025. Choose from five races: 50 Miles, 34 Miles, 21 Miles, 12 Miles, and 4 Miles!
📍 Flagstaff, AZ
👣 55K, 100 Miles (bike or run), Relay
📅 September 20, 2025
Organized by Arizona Trail Events
An epic journey from the Ponderosa forests of Flagstaff, across the Coconino Plateau to a triumphant finish at the rim of the Grand Canyon, the Stagecoach 100 provides runners with a unique taste of Arizona. Held in the early fall when the Aspen colors are at their peak Stagecoach is one for the ages.
[Register]
📍 Prescott, AZ
👣 50 Miles, 100 Miles
📅 October 4, 2025
Organized by Michael Versteeg
The mountains and trails around Prescott, AZ bring to mind old time 1950s Westerns and the glory days of the American West. Like the cattle drives of old, Michael Versteeg’s Saddles 100 is a true test of an athlete’s grit and fortitude. Showcasing some of the most challenging terrain in the region, Saddles 100 is quickly becoming one of the most sought after events in the state.
[Register]
📍 Prescott, AZ
👣 13.1 Miles, 25 Miles, 50 Miles
📅 October, 2025
Organized by James Bonnet
Started as a barroom bet in 1983 the men have been racing the horses at this iconic Arizona race ever since. Held on the trails and fireroads around Mingus Mountain, Man Against Horse is a stunningly beautiful event staged in a truly unique concept. Come on out and test yourselves against the horses!
[Register]
📍 Fountain Hills, AZ
👣 31K, 100K, 100 Miles
📅 October 25, 2025
Organized by Aravaipa Running
Known to some as “Trail Running’s Burning Man” the Javelina Jundred has become a one-of-a-kind event on the ultra circuit. Taking place at McDowell Mountain Park each October the course is a made up of gently rolling singletrack on wonderfully smooth trails. A perfect first time 100 miler for runners wanting to make the jump to the longer distance.
[Register]
📍 Phoenix, AZ
👣 50K
📅 November, 2025
Organized by GhostHead Productions
The PhoMo 50K had its first running in 2024 and it was a rousing success. Traversing the rugged trails of the Phoenix Mountain Preserve, PhoMo embraces the old school trail and ultra vibe in a refreshing new way. Limited to 50 runners this event has quickly become a gem on the local race calendar.
Arizona is packed with epic trail races, each with its own unique flavor—whether it’s jaw-dropping desert vistas, the pure freedom of running through rugged wilderness, a community that feels like family, or a vibe as bold as a towering saguaro. The real challenge? Choosing just one. Other races you should definitely check out include Red Rocks of Sedona 🏜️ and Pine Trail Run. 🌲
About the author: Andy Jones-Wilkins (AJW) is a veteran ultrarunner living in Phoenix, AZ. A writer, podcaster, broadcaster, and endurance coach, AJW is fully engaged in the trail and ultrarunning community at home and around the world. His weekly column, “AJWs Taproom” on irunfar.com has been published every Friday for over 12 years and his podcast, “Crack a Brew with AJW” is one of the most downloaded trail running podcasts in the space. As one of the core commentators with Arizona’s Aravaipa Running, AJW can often be found in the broadcast booth at local and regional events throughout the year. Finally, AJW still runs having completed the Javelina Jundred in October, 2024 in a time of 22:42 and he is now busy training for the Crown Jewel of AZ ultrarunning the Cocodona 250.
