The Hourglass: Phoenix

THE HOURGLASS: PHOENIX
By Toughest Alive
March 28, 2026
Freestone Park – Gilbert, AZ

 
Bet on Yourself.
Welcome to The Hourglass: Phoenix.

This isn’t a treadmill.
This isn’t a perfectly paced road race.
This is open air, honest effort, and a clock that keeps shrinking.

Each round starts at 30 minutes.
Every round after that, the time cap drops by one minute.

Finish in time — you earn another start.
Miss the cutoff — your event is complete.

Last person standing wins.

But here’s what makes this different:

You’re not just racing.
You’re building camaraderie.
You’re suffering side-by-side.
You’re laughing at the reset line when the legs are cooked.

The Hourglass blends challenge, community, and genuine fun in a way most races don’t.

In Phoenix, it heats up fast.
Here — you bet on yourself.

And the house doesn’t win.

 
DATE / TIME / LOCATION
Date: March 28, 2026
Location: Freestone Park — Gilbert, AZ

Check-in opens: 8:00 AM
Race Brief: 8:45 AM
Start: 9:00 AM

Expect sun.
Expect effort.
Expect a crew that stays to cheer long after their own race is done.

 
THE HOURGLASS FORMAT
Round 1: 30:00
Round 2: 29:00
Round 3: 28:00
Round 4: 27:00
… and so on.

Each round, the clock shrinks by one minute.

Complete your required loop/work before the cap expires to earn your next start.

Miss the cutoff?
Your race ends — but your role shifts.

You stay.
You cheer.
You become part of the energy.

Rest time = whatever is left on the clock after you finish.

The reset line becomes the heartbeat of the event.

 
COURSE LOOPS
Freestone Park delivers fast, runnable terrain with open exposure and steady pacing potential.

>>Run Loop: 2 miles
>>Ruck Loop: 1 mile
>>Hybrid Athlete: 2-mile run + 10 burpees
>>Loaded Carry: 800m sandbag carry

Final loop map and race details will be sent in the pre-race email.

 
EVENT CATEGORIES
>>> RUN (2-mile loop)
Complete the 2-mile loop and return before the shrinking time cap.

 
>>> RUCK (1-mile loop)
Complete the 1-mile loop wearing a weighted pack.

Weight Standards (bring your own pack + weights):

Men: 35 lb
Women: 20 lb

 
>>> HYBRID ATHLETE
2-mile run + 10 burpees each round.

Burpee Standard:

Chest & thighs touch ground at bottom
Full elbow extension above ears at top
 
>>> LOADED CARRY
800m sandbag carry per round.

Sandbag Standards:

Men: 60 lb
Women: 45 lb
Carry options: Bearhug, shoulder, suitcase-style, balanced-on-your-head — it doesn’t matter. Just get back in time.

You may set the bag down — but you must finish before the time cap expires to earn your next round.

 
AWARDS
Top finisher in each category:

Run
Ruck
Hybrid Athlete
Loaded Carry

🏆 Top 5 in each category earn an invitation to compete at the Ultimate Hourglass in Anchorage, Alaska (September) for cash prizes and major bragging rights.

 
WHAT TO BRING
Comfortable running or training shoes
Water / electrolytes
Sun protection (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses)
Weather-appropriate layers
Gloves optional (sandbag events)
Ruckers: bring your own pack + weights

Bring grit.
Bring a friend.
Bring your sense of humor.

 
FAQ
Is this beginner-friendly?
Yes. Absolutely. Early rounds are very manageable. The time pressure builds gradually. Choose the category that fits your current fitness level and style — and expect a supportive environment from start to finish.
But be clear — even experienced athletes will be pushed before it’s over.

 
Can I rest between rounds?
Absolutely. You should. Whatever time remains after you finish is your recovery window before the next round begins.

 
Can I switch categories mid-event?
No. Please choose your category during registration. If you need to switch prior to race day, contact us and we’ll assist if possible.

 
What if weather conditions change?
This is an outdoor event. Plan accordingly. If conditions become unsafe, course adjustments will be communicated.

 
Refunds / Transfers
All registrations are final. Entries may be transferred prior to race day (details provided in the pre-event email).