The Mogollon Rim rises out from the earth some 2,000 feet for a span of 200 miles across Arizona and into New Mexico, defining much of the eastern part of the state. This Rim takes the race from elevations of 5,300 feet at the start to upwards of 8,000 feet at the top of the Rim, changing ecosystems along the way in distinct flora changes as the elevation changes switch the scenery from high Sonoran Desert to the largest contiguous Ponderosa Pine forest in the world.
The race covers roughly 100 miles, climbing the Rim on six separate locations spending a lot of miles along the Rim, on top of the Rim and the challenging climbs up and down with climbs and descents at 30-45% grades at a some points. Expect to climb a total of approximately 18,000 feet along the way, never below 5,200 feet and never above 8,000 feet in elevation. While other races are certainly at higher elevations, and/or with more climbing, they certainly do not contain as rugged a terrain that is found on this course.
This is a VERY technical course in many areas, specifically the Highline Trail, Donahue and the soon to be revered, Myrtle Trail & Promontory Point. The first 40 miles will have nearly 9,000 feet in elevation gain. That coupled with the terrain, moderate elevation, and intense Arizona sun, this race will certainly take its toll on each runner.
Qualifying for The Monster: The 100 mile distance is not an easy race and as such, we have a qualification standard for the race. All entrants will be required to have completed, at minimum, a 50 mile race or greater before race day. This is different than the last three years as Aravaipa has now directed this beauty of a race since 2016 and believe we are more prepared for the logistical battle of putting on this race. Combine that with the same HAM Radio team and MedStar Solutions medical team joining us year over year, we have taken out specific race qualifiers.
Do not be fooled though, this race course will absolutely make you earn every mile you traverse. Come prepared, know your course, and tackle the Monster this September.
Weather: As the race takes place in mid-September, temperatures are typically in the low 70’s to 80’s along the Rim but can be drastically lower on top of the Rim, below freezing. Runners have been hypothermic at night & hyperthermic the next day at lower elevations. Thunderstorms from the summer monsoon season in Arizona are still possible and with that comes major wind, lightning and flash flood rains in a matter of minutes. Snow is a possibility, if unlikely in the higher elevations of the course. For the most part we can expect sunny skies, great temperatures and the start of some great fall foliage, especially on top of the Rim with all the ash, oak, maple trees along the trails.
Heed the warning from race founder, Jeremy Dougherty: In our first five years on the 106 mile course, we only saw 99 runners finish this course. We gave out 3 sub-24 buckles. Only 14 women finished. One year, 2014, we had to cut the race short at the halfway mark due to extreme weather. A decision we will make again for the safety of our runners, crews, and our volunteers if needed. This race and this terrain can destroy you. Nobody eases their way through the Monster. Do not underestimate this race. If you are not a self sufficient runner you will fail here. If you cannot find your way out of a paper bag, you will fail here. If you cannot make it several hours safely on your own, you will fail here. We do not mark this course like an Ironman. We mark it appropriately for the turns necessary to follow the trail and to prevent runner confusion where necessary. We’re not painting the trail in gold, you need to know the course, and you need to pay attention. Do not ask us to change the cutoff times. Mileage is not going to be exact at any point within this website, volunteer statements on race day, or on any chart or infographic we provide as the race committee. The sheer number of up’s and down’s, switchbacks, canyons, and other obstructions to this course make an exact mileage next to impossible. If we put 8.75 miles for a section, don’t waste your time complaining to the volunteers that it turned out to be 8.99 on your Garmin. That’s just part of the sport. If you want exact mileage please return to road races.
These are all items that have been brought up to the RD’s over the course of our first years. To be very clear, this is an extremely hard, remote, rugged, and difficult 100 plus mile ultramarathon. We purposely hold this race on the rim because we want to keep this a small, “Old School” ultra where runners have come to this quaint town of Pine to experience the sheer beauty of the area, find their way from point A to point B, with sufficient support and guidance from trail markers and volunteers along the way. We track our runners with HAM radio staff as they leave one station and check them in on the next. We do not place GPS on them for the full course, as a crew, expect to not know where your runner is for several hours at a time. This is ultrarunning. Enjoy it, embrace it, and stand in awe with us at the finish line on Sunday cheering these tough individuals through the finish line.
