Elden Ridge Run

Race Day Registration:

There will be no race day registration

Sponsors:

TBD-Stay Tuned!

Elden Ridge Run 2026

We're excited to be opening registration for our third year of the race! Registration will open on Friday, 4/17/26 7:00 AM Mountain Standard Time.

The Course:

Starting at Sandy Seep trailhead racers will begin with serene open views of meadows dotted with ponderosas. You’ll head into the shade quickly as you cross a power line access road and start your journey on Christmas Tree trail by taking a left, we will have a volunteer ensuring you make this turn. Enjoy the gentle rolling trails as you near the climb! Christmas Tree trail intersects with Elden Lookout trail. Dig deep! This is the climb! For some this may all be runnable, for others this may be a steady power hike pushing your legs and lungs to their limits. Before you know it you’ll be at the summit of Mt. Elden! From here you’ll cruise down the lookout tower road and over to Sunset trail. Watch your feet, but make sure you get to enjoy the sweeping view of the peaks to your left and a panoramic of flagstaff and the surrounding area to your right! The one and only aid station is near! Located approximately 6 miles into the race and a little over 1 mile from the summit of Elden, we will have water along with some other fuel options and electrolyte beverage. After taking in the beautiful views from Sunset trail prepare your downhill legs for a gradual but relentless descent on New Heart trail with the beautiful red/orange cliffs of Little Elden in your sight most of the way. Racers will experience a combination of excellent single track, several tricky speed checks with some tech, and classic Arizona chunk. Just the right amount of little rollers towards the bottom to make you wonder why you signed up for this race. After finishing the descent we will have another volunteer pointing you in the right direction. This is a crucial intersection! Racers will run around a little knob on Little Elden trail grabbing one last view of Flagstaff in the backdrop of a meadow. After, you will link into Old Little Elden where you will remain until your final turn off. DO NOT get onto Sandy Seep trail. Follow signs to Christmas Tree trail. The remainder of the course although mostly flat, will help you understand the start/finish lines namesake Sandy Seep. Racers will take a left to the finish, at the same spot they entered onto Christmas Tree trail. We will have the same volunteer here waiting to direct you to the final push! One more mile! The last bit is a perfect way to end the race. The last mile will allow racers to really open it up with a gradual descent to the parking lot with just enough rocks and reaching pine branches to keep you honest. Exit through the old wooden trail entrance swing a quick right back to where you started and you’re done!

Cutoff(s):

Cut off(s): At approximately 5 miles at the summit of Elden there will be a strict 2 hour cutoff. We will have a volunteer stationed there tracking every racer, you will not be allowed to continue on in the race if you are not at this intersection after 9:00am race day. The cutoff is generous, but it requires you to have a reasonable level of mountain fitness to achieve it. Total race cutoff 4 hours. The remaining 8 miles or so are mostly downhill. Get those downhill legs ready!

Parking:

Parking: Sandy Seep Trailhead. Located on the north side of 89. Approximately 7 miles east of downtown Flagstaff via 89/66. 1.8 miles east of Elden Lookout trail via 89. This is a primitive parking lot. High clearance vehicles recommended. Parking will be tight. Plan on carpooling. Room for no more than 30 vehicles. We have been asked by the Forest Service to leave space for other trail users that day. If you’re unable to carpool please let us know as we’re looking into setting up a shuttle. A few overflow parking spots can also be found at Elden Pueblo or even further west at the Peaks Ranger Station although require somewhat of a lengthy walk.

Other Rules:

No pacers allowed! This is a small race in a fragile environmental area. We have been asked to limit our impact. You may NOT receive aid from anyone other than our volunteers at our established aid station. Poles? Go for it! If you start with them, you have to carry them all of the way.

The Weather

In October, Flagstaff experiences an average high temperature of 63°F and an average low of 32°F. The average temperature for the month is around 47°F. The beginning of the course is fairly shaded and remainder 8 miles or so are fairly open. The summit of Elden can be particularly rowdy with gusting winds and frigid temps. Plan accordingly and have a jacket handy!

Other Details:

-We will be diligently marking the course in a way that will make it really hard to make a wrong turn. With that said some rogue trail users often remove flags/markers from the course. We will have volunteers placed at a few intersections that might be a little extra confusing. More details on flag colors and other markers forthcoming. -Our bibs will not have chips. “Gun” times only. -There will be two portable toilets at start/finish with liquid sanitizer. No running water.

Prizes

Prize details coming soon

Bib Pick Up:

We plan on having a bib pick-up on 10/16, the day before the race at a soon to be determined location and an additional bib pick-up on race day on 10/17 at the Sandy Seep Trailhead.

Refunds/Cancellations

No refunds! If you cancel, unfortunately we will not be able to provide a future race credit either. If the race is canceled due to fire, trail damage, or any other reason not in our control we will not be able to issue refunds or future race credits either.

After Race:

BYO Lawn Chair! We're looking forward to our second year of having a free-to-racers espresso bar along with other post-race recovery snacks and drinks!