Trail Running Calendar Arizona 2025-2026

Embark on an exhilarating journey through some of Arizona's most scenic routes with our comprehensive Trail Running Calendar for 2025-2026. With 72 diverse trail running events spread across the Grand Canyon State, you're sure to find the perfect race that aligns with your schedule and fitness level.

In the vibrant city of Phoenix, trail runners can explore the rugged beauty of the Sonoran Desert, with routes offering breathtaking vistas and challenging elevations. Not far behind, Tucson's trail running scene is adorned with the picturesque trails of Saguaro National Park and the Santa Catalina Mountains, promising runs that are as scenic as they are invigorating. Runners in Mesa and Chandler have the advantage of the sprawling trails in the Superstition Wilderness.

Trail enthusiasts in Scottsdale are spoiled with the McDowell Sonoran Preserve's extensive network of pathways, each offering a unique desert running experience. Meanwhile, Glendale's proximity to the White Tank Mountain Regional Park affords trail runners a chance to immerse themselves in the serene Arizona outdoors.

The Vertigo Night Runs, hosted by Aravaipa Running, take place at White Tank Mountain Regional Park in Waddell, Arizona. This nighttime trail running event offers multiple distances: 6K, 10K, 20K, 31K, and a challenging 52K ultra. The courses run on the 6.5-mile Sonoran Competitive track loop, featu..

The Jackrabbit Jubilee is a unique night running event held at Nardini Manor, a historic country estate in Buckeye, Arizona. Participants can choose between 12-hour and 6-hour fixed-time races on a flat, 500-meter USATF-certified crushed gravel loop that circles the property. The course offers a fun..

Groovin' in the Aspens is a trail running event held at the Fort Valley Trailhead in Flagstaff, Arizona. Scheduled for August 24, 2025, it offers multiple race distances: 6K, 10K, 20K, 30K, and 50K. The courses traverse scenic aspens and pines, featuring a mix of smooth, easy green loops for the 6K..

September 2025

The Mogollon Monster is a challenging trail running event held near Pine, Arizona, about 90 minutes northeast of Phoenix. It features a rugged 100-mile ultramarathon and a 42K race, both traversing the scenic Mogollon Rim, which rises 2,000 feet and stretches 200 miles across Arizona. The 100-mile c..

The Flagstaff to Grand Canyon Stagecoach Line Ultra is a challenging endurance event hosted by the Arizona Trail Association, featuring a 100-mile run, a 55K run, a 100-mile mountain bike race, and relay options. The race takes place in northern Arizona, starting in Flagstaff and finishing at the Gr..

The Javelina Jangover Night Run is a nighttime trail running event held at McDowell Mountain Regional Park near Fountain Hills, Arizona. It features multiple distances: 7K, 15K, 25K, 50K, and 75K, with courses primarily on rolling desert single track and old jeep trails. The event is part of the Ins..

Flagstaff Sky Peaks is a premier mountain trail running event held in Flagstaff, Arizona, featuring race distances of 50 miles, 50K, 26K, and 10K. The races start at the Fort Valley Trailhead near Snowbowl Road, traversing scenic single-track trails through the Coconino National Forest and the Arizo..

Babbitts Backyard Ultra is a unique endurance running event held near the iconic SP Crater in Flagstaff, Arizona. The race features a challenging loop of 4.167 miles combining dirt trails and road, with about 150 feet of elevation gain and scenic views of the crater and surrounding peaks. Participan..

The AZT North Rim Ramble, held near Jacob Lake, Arizona, offers marathon, half-marathon, and 10K (approximately 7 miles) races on September 28, 2025. The marathon and half-marathon feature a scenic 13.1-mile loop on the Kaibab Plateau, combining forest roads and singletrack trails through spruce, pi..

October 2025

Saddles 100 is an ultramarathon event held in Prescott, Arizona, offering runners the choice of a 50- or 100-mile loop course. The race features some of the best local trails, providing a challenging and scenic experience. In 2025, the course will be run counterclockwise, with 50-mile participants c..

The Flagstaff Marathon, known as "The Coolest Marathon in Arizona," takes place in Flagstaff, AZ, at the Arizona Nordic Village within the scenic Coconino National Forest. This event features off-road courses through ponderosa pine and aspen forests at over 8,000 feet elevation, offering marathon, h..

The Thrasher Night Trail is a nighttime trail running event held at Cave Creek Regional Park in Cave Creek, Arizona. It offers four distances: 33K, 22K, 11K, and 5K, all run on a scenic 11-kilometer loop featuring the Slate, Quartz, Go John, and Overton Trails. The course includes two climbs per loo..

The Flagstaff Loop Trail 45 Miler is an unofficial "fatass" style ultramarathon held in Flagstaff, Arizona, starting at the Schultz Creek Trailhead. This unique event features a 45-mile course through scenic trails around Flagstaff. There is no entry fee, but participants must contribute items like..

The Canyon de Chelly Ultra is a 55K trail race held on the Navajo Reservation in Arizona. The course begins at the canyon entrance and follows a 17-mile route up Canyon de Chelly, passing ancient ruins, petroglyphs, and pictographs to Spider Rock. Runners then ascend the Bat Canyon Trail, climbing 1..

The Horseshoe Bend Ultras, held in Page, Arizona, offers three race distances: a 50-mile ultra, a 55K, and a half marathon. The courses showcase stunning natural landmarks, including Antelope Canyon and the iconic Horseshoe Bend of the Colorado River. Runners traverse desert sand and slickrock, with..

The Soulstice Mountain Trail Run is an annual trail running event held in Government Prairie near Parks, Arizona. The 26th edition is scheduled for October 11, 2025, featuring multiple race distances including a 30K, an 11.2-mile long course, a 10K, and a kids dash. The race is organized by the Nort..

The Cave Creek Thriller is a celebrated trail running event held in Cave Creek, Arizona, marking its 16th year as part of the Fall Desert Runner Trail Series. It offers four race distances: 50K, 24K, 11K, and 5K. The 50K and 24K races feature point-to-point courses along the scenic Maricopa Trail, c..

The Man Against Horse Race, held annually in Prescott, Arizona, is a unique endurance event where runners and horseback riders compete simultaneously on the same challenging courses. Established in 1983 from a bar bet, the race features three distances: a 50-mile main event with about 7,300 feet of..

The Elden Ridge Run is a half marathon trail race held in Flagstaff, Arizona, starting at the Sandy Seep Trailhead. The course features scenic views of meadows and ponderosa pines, with a challenging climb up Elden Lookout trail to the summit of Mt. Elden.Runners then descend through varied terrain..

The Red Rocks of Sedona Trail Races, held in Sedona, Arizona, offer a scenic and challenging fall running experience on October 18, 2025. Participants can choose from three distances: a Mountain Marathon, a 20-mile race, or a 10-mile race, all featuring the iconic Hi-Line trail on Sedona's southside..