RACE INFORMATION
Location
Competitive Track Parking Lot at White Tank Mountain Regional Park, Waddell, AZ. Directions
Course Summary
Enjoy challenging climbs and epic views of Phoenix across the White Tank Mountain Range. All runs take place on single track trails within White Tank Mountain Regional Park. Expect typical desert trail conditions including rocks, sand, cactus and gravel.
50 mile & 50 Km runners will travel through a two mile section of wash in Ford Canyon featuring several downhill granite rock scrambles, sand and boulders.
Course
All runs take place on rugged, single track trail with significant challenging climbs, incredible views, steep descents, large boulders, rocks, and desert vegetation. The courses offer a challenging but rewarding experience for all, from the beginning trail runner to the most experienced ultra marathoner.
Cut-Off Times
*All cut-off times are for leaving an aid station
10:30 AM – 50 Km Runners must leave the Black Canyon Aid Station at mile 14.1
1:30 PM – 50 Km Runners must leave the Mesquite Canyon Aid Station at mile 22.9
3:15 PM – 50 Mile Runners must leave the start/finish at mile 30.5
4:30 PM – 50 Mile Runners must leave the Black Canyon Aid Station at mile 36.2
9:15 PM – 50 Mile final cutoff (15 hours)
REGISTRATION
Entry Fees*
| Until 10/3 | Until 2/6 | Until 2/28 | Race Week | |
| 8KM | $47.84 | $58.47 | $69.10 | $79.73 |
| Half Marathon | $58.47 | $69.10 | $79.73 | $95.67 |
| 30KM | $79.73 | $90.36 | $100.99 | $116.93 |
| 50KM | $122.25 | $138.19 | $154.14 | $175.40 |
| 50 Mile | $164.77 | $180.71 | $196.66 | $217.92 |
Medical – 
We will have medical staff based at the start / finish headquarters. This team is here to help you with most basic and advanced first aid right on site. We reserve the right to pull you from the race if medical officials deem it necessary. Please understand that these decisions are made for your safety and do not argue. Continuing on in a state where you cannot safely navigate is a recipe for disaster and we are here to prevent that.
NOTE: If something happens to you or another runner, do NOT call 911 right away. Our medical team is highly trained in these scenarios, has been with us at this race the last three years and understands the terrain and driving access points. Please call their 24-hour number that will be answered by a real human being and they will dispatch accordingly.
MedStar Solutions Race Day Number: 480-269-4126
Crews & Pacers
Crews are permitted at the start/finish line and the Black Canyon Aid Station.
Pacers are permitted for 50 mile runners after they have come through the 50K mark at the start/finish line or starting at Black Canyon Aid, mile 36.
Drop Bags
A drop bag will be allowed at the Black Canyon Aid Station for the 50 mile & 50 Km runners. All drop bags MUST be at the start line in the appropriate area by 6:30 AM to be transported over to the Black Canyon Aid Station. Drop bags should be back to the start/finish line by 6 PM or you can pick them up on your way out of the park if you finish early.
Aid Stations
There are aid stations every 1.8 to 9.3 miles including water, electrolyte drink, sweet snacks, salty snacks, and fresh fruit. Due to the remoteness of the course, there is a 9.3 mile stretch in the 50 mile, 50 Km, and 30 Km with NO AID, so please be prepared (run with AT LEAST 2-3 bottles (50-70 ounces) of fluids). Plan for sun and hot temperatures. Additional notes about our aid stations at this race:
- The Waddell aid station will be sponsored by the Surprise Running Club and will service the 8K, 1/2 Marathon, 30 Kilometer, 50 Kilometer, & 50 Mile races.
- The Mesquite aid station is our most remote aid and also sponsored by the Surprise Running Club. We haul all supplies up the mountain with backpacks including all water. There will be no ice at this aid station.
- The Black Canyon aid station will service the 50 mile, 50 Km, and 30 Km runners and will have drop bags, water, food and ice.
- Ford Canyon aid station will also be a minimal remote aid station accessed by the 50 mile & 50 Km runners. Do not plan for ice at this station, but there will be plenty of water and food for your final miles into the finish.
Cupless Events
In an effort to continually lessen our race footprint, we are expanding our cupless events to the Desert Runner Trail Series. We will have UltrAspire reusable cups available at registration and on race day or feel free to bring your own! To check them out or purchase one directly, visit our website HERE.
Volunteer Helpers
If you would like to join our volunteer team, we are looking for help with event setup, aid station captains, aid station helpers, timing, photography, videography, social media, course sweep and event breakdown. Volunteer perks include a piece of Aravaipa merchandise or race goody and Aravaipa Race Credits. You can see our current opportunities and sign up here: Mesquite Canyon Volunteer Form
Charity Beer Garden
For the 2021-2022 Desert Runner Trail Series Aravaipa Running will be working with the Arizona Trail Association to bring awareness to their cause. Proceeds from the beer gardens at each event will go directly to SWCC. The Beer Garden is being sponsored by a local brewery: Huss Brewing. More information available on our blog.
RACE DAY INFORMATION
Race Day Schedule
Please arrive early to park, check in and warm up prior to your run. Restroom facilities are located at the start line at a permanent park facility.
Timeline
5:15 AM – Packet pickup / race day registration begin
6:15 AM – 50 Mile Start
6:25 AM – Begin civil twilight
6:30 AM – 50 Kilometer Start
6:45 AM – 30 Kilometer Start
6:50 AM – Sunrise
7:30 AM – 1/2 Marathon Start
8:00 AM – 8 Kilometer Start
10:30 AM – Kid’s Fun Run Start
10:30 AM – 50 Km Runners must clear Black Canyon Aid at mile 14.1
1:30 PM – 50 Km Runners must clear Mesquite Aid at mile 22.8
3:15 PM – 50 Mile Runners must clear start/finish at mile 30.6
4:30 PM – 50 Mile Runners must clear Black Canyon Aid a 2nd time at mile 36.2
6:31 PM – Sunset
6:56 PM – End civil twilight
9:15 PM – 50 Mile Cutoff (15 hours)
Park Entry Fee
Remember the park charges a $7 park entry fee per vehicle. Please arrive early and have correct change (cash) available on race morning for a smooth entry process. Carpool to save!
Trail Running & Trash
Please respect the trails and the beauty of the desert by disposing of any trash at one of our aid stations.
Yes, the tab you rip off your gel counts as trash.
Trail Etiquette
Remember to always remain on designed trails, no short cutting.
If you decide to use headphones, please be respectful of runners behind you attempting to pass. Also, remove ear buds as you approach aid stations or a road crossing.
Please do not listen to music on course without headphones.
This course includes some legit single track. If you are fast and attempting to pass, please alert the runner in front of you before flying past them. Likewise, if you hear a runner approaching you from behind, attempt to find a spot to allow the runner to pass.
As a general rule, when passing a runner, announce, “on your left.”
Uphill runners/hikers have the right of way to downhill runners. Remain in control as you descend and respect the other runners.
Everyone is after the same goal here so let’s be respectful of each other’s races and have fun. Please.
Race Timing
We will be utilizing a chip timing system at this event to record your time at the finish. Results will be posted using “gun time” only. You will be provided with a timing chip embedded in your race bib number. Please wear this bib on the front of your clothing on race day and do not bend the timing chip. There will be remote timing points on course which may offer live tracking points IF we have a strong enough internet connection at the park. To follow along, family and friends can visit our Aravaipa Running website and click on “Results” and then “Live Tracking.”
Drops/ Withdrawals
If you have to withdraw from your race, it is imperative you let a volunteer and/or race official know you are done. If we are unaware you’ve left the course, we will be waiting for you to come through to the next aid and will have to send a team out on course looking for you.
Aid Station Helpers
We cannot produce these trail runs without the help of our amazing volunteer team. If you are interested in helping with the Mesquite Canyon Trail Runs, we have opportunities to help with setup, registration, aid stations, finish line, course sweep and breakdown. All volunteers will receive an Aravaipa Running shirt and a discount on a future race entry! You can even help and run on race day.
Sign Up Here
Course Markings
Each course will be well marked with orange plastic ribbons with black polka dots. Trail junctions and turns will be well marked with colored laminated signs. Please pay attention to these signs at each junction as there are multiple race distances and race courses! Course signs will correspond with your bib color (8K = Blue, Half Marathon = Green, 30K = Yellow, 50K = Red, 50 Mile = White). In addition, blue & white checkerboard plastic flagging and pink WRONG WAY signage will be posted to designate non-race trails. All runners are responsible for understanding the layout of the courses. Please familiarize yourself with the course maps on our website prior to race day and/or print a map to bring along with you.
Parking / Start Area
The start/finish line is located at the Competitive Track Parking Lot on the North side of the park. Just follow the main park road all the way (maybe 10-15 minutes) until it ends at a dirt parking lot.
Camping
Camping is allowed at the competitive track parking lot (start/finish line) on Friday night & Saturday night at $15/night. Car camping, trailers, or tents are allowed but there are no designated spots and camping must be contained to the parking lot only here (no tents in the desert). For more details on what’s allowed and not allowed, click here.
See the park entry station or visitor center to pay for a camp spot or visit their site. For Fees click here.
