Saguaro Showdown
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Saguaro Showdown Event Overview
The Saguaro Showdown is a last person standing endurance event held at Usery Mountain Regional Park in Mesa, Arizona. The competition follows a backyard ultra format, where participants must complete a specific loop every hour on the hour. Organized by Kaniksu Ultras, the event offers both running and rucking divisions. The race continues until only one participant remains in each category.
Course Details
The event utilizes different courses depending on the time of day. During daylight hours, the race takes place on local trails. For the running division, the trail loop is 4.1667 miles, while the rucking division covers a 2.3-mile trail loop. At 20:00, the activity moves to an out-and-back course on the road for the night hours. At 08:00 the following morning, the competition returns to the trail loops.
Event Categories
Participants must choose one of the following divisions:
- Run Event: A traditional backyard ultra format with 4.1667-mile loops.
- Ruck Event: A weighted format with 2.3-mile loops. Participants weighing over 150 pounds must carry a 30-pound core weight, while those under 150 pounds must carry a 20-pound core weight.
- Backyard 24: A modified format that concludes after 24 hours. Participants who reach the 24-hour mark are considered tied for first place.
Race Format and Rules
The race follows a strict hourly schedule. A bell signals the start of each lap, and participants must be inside the starting corral to continue. Those who do not finish a loop within the hour or fail to be in the corral for the start of the next lap are eliminated. Once a lap begins, participants may not receive aid or visit their support crews until the loop is completed. The competition ends when a single runner or rucker completes a solo loop after all other participants have withdrawn. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
