Mesquite Canyon
Waddell, United States • 14 Mar 2026
Mesquite Canyon Trail Runs
The Mesquite Canyon Trail Runs take place Saturday, March 14, 2026, 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)
Course and event details
All courses run on rugged single-track and dirt roads through desert terrain with rocks, sand, cactus and boulders. Routes include significant climbs and steep descents. The 50 Mile and 50K courses pass through a hazardous section of Ford Canyon that requires basic navigational skills and includes downhill rock scrambling over the White Tank rock formations.
Aid stations are placed every 1.8 to 8.8 miles and provide water, an electrolyte drink, snacks and fruit. There is an 8.8 mile stretch on some longer courses with no aid; participants are expected to carry fluid (organizer notes suggest 2-3 bottles, 50-70 ounces). The Waddell aid services all distances. The Mesquite aid is remote with no ice and supplies carried by backpack. Goat Camp aid supports longer distances and accepts drop bags; Ford Canyon aid is water-only.
Additional logistics: chip timing will be used and remote timing points may provide live tracking. Crews are permitted at the start/finish and Goat Camp; pacers are allowed for 50 Mile runners after the 50K point or from Goat Camp. Awards are given to the top three male and female finishers at each distance and all finishers receive a finisher award. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.