Crown King Scramble
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Crown King Scramble
The Crown King Scramble is a point to point 50 kilometer footrace from the shores of Lake Pleasant to Crown King, AZ. The course covers roughly 31 miles with a total elevation gain of 6,828 feet and a maximum elevation around 6,563 feet. The route begins near 1,700 feet and climbs to about 6,520 feet near mile 28.7 before a final descent into the finish.
Runners move through several climate zones, starting in the Sonoran Desert with scrub and juniper and finishing among ponderosa pines in the Bradshaw Mountains. The first half follows rolling, smooth dirt forest roads while the later miles use rough four wheel drive jeep trail with steeper climbs. The course is marked with orange ribbons, yellow laminated turn signs, and wrong way flagging for non-race trails. Several optional "Choose Your Own Adventure" junctions offer alternate tangents or steeper scrambles.
There are five staffed aid stations on course providing water, an electrolyte drink, fruit, and sweet and salty snacks, with aid roughly every 3.2 to 8.5 miles. Drop bags are allowed only at the midcourse aid station (mile 15.3) and at the finish; they will be returned to the finish after the midcourse aid station closes. Crews and pacers are not permitted on course. Medical coverage is provided by mobile medical teams positioned on course and at the finish. The event is cupless; runners must carry their own refill container. Post race provisions include a gender specific race shirt, a barbecue, and awards for top finishers as well as a finisher award for all who complete the race. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
