Crown King Scramble
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Crown King Scramble
The Crown King Scramble is a point to point 50 kilometer (31 miles) trail race from Lake Pleasant to Crown King, Arizona, held on March 20, 2027 and organized by Aravaipa Running. The route moves from the shores of Lake Pleasant through the Sonoran Desert and climbs into the ponderosa pines of the Bradshaw Mountains.
The course starts near 1,700 feet elevation, tops out around 6,520 feet, and includes about 6,828 feet of total elevation gain with a final roughly 600 foot descent into the finish. The first half follows rolling, smooth dirt forest roads; the second half follows rough four wheel drive jeep trail with sustained climbing. The course is marked with orange plastic ribbons with black polka dots, yellow laminated signs at turns, WRONG WAY flagging (blue and white checkerboard) and pink signs for non race trails.
There are five aid stations on course at miles 8.5, 15.3 (drop bags permitted), 19.1, 22.2, and 27.3, plus the finish at 31.1; stations provide water, an electrolyte drink, fruit, sweet snacks, and salty snacks. Drop bags are allowed only at French Creek (mile 15.3) and the finish and should be limited to a small duffle. Crews and pacers are not permitted on course. Cutoffs at key aid stations and the finish are strictly enforced.
The event is cupless, with no paper cups at aid stations; runners must carry their own refill container. Mobile medical teams from MedStar Solutions will staff the course and finish. Awards are given to top finishers by category and all finishers receive a custom finisher award. Volunteer positions include race credits and race swag as perks. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
