Mesquite Canyon

Mesquite Canyon Trail Runs : Mar 14, 2026, Waddell, AZ

Mesquite Canyon Trail Runs take place at White Tank Mountain Regional Park in Waddell, AZ. The event offers multiple distances:

• 50 Mile
• 50K
• 30K
• Half Marathon
• 8K
• Kid’s Fun Run (about 1.5 miles)

Mesquite Canyon serves as the championship race for the Desert Runner Trail Series and awards points in the series standings.

Course, support and rules

All courses run on rugged single-track and dirt trails with rocks, large boulders, sand, desert vegetation, sustained climbs and steep descents. The 50K and 50 Mile courses include a hazardous wash section through Ford Canyon that requires basic navigation and downhill rock scrambling over the White Tank rock formations.

Aid stations are spaced every 1.8 to 8.8 miles and provide water, an electrolyte drink (NeverSecond), sweet and salty snacks, and fresh fruit. There is an extended 8.8 mile stretch on some courses with no aid; participants are advised to carry adequate fluids (about 50-70 ounces). The Mesquite aid is fully pack-transported and will have no ice; Goat Camp aid will accept drop bags and have ice; Ford Canyon aid is water only.

Crews are permitted at the start/finish and Goat Camp aid; pacers are permitted for 50 Mile runners after the 50K mark or from Goat Camp. Drop bags for Goat Camp must be delivered at the start line prior to race morning for transport. The 50 Mile race has a 15-hour time limit. Courses are marked with colored ribbons and signs; chip timing and live split tracking are used. Awards are given to the top three male and female finishers at each distance and all finishers receive a finisher award; 50 Milers receive a custom finisher award. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.