Schedule and packet pickup
Bib pickup
Drive through pickup is Thursday, Dec. 3 from noon to 5 p.m. at Aravaipa Running HQ, 2401 S 24th St in Phoenix. Bibs and late entry are also available at the park on race morning from 6:15 to 8:30 a.m.
McDowell Mountain Frenzy Trail Runs 2026
- Date
- Saturday, December 5, 2026
- Start time
- 7:00 AM start (Phoenix)
- Location
- Fountain Hills, Arizona
Go to the race website
Online registration on UltraSignup closes Nov. 30, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. MT, and late entry is taken at bib pickup and on race morning. Prices step up on Oct. 1 and again for race week, so check UltraSignup for the current fee; prices exclude tax.
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Events and entry fees
| Event | Distance | When | Entry fee | Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 Mile | 50 Mile | Dec 5, 20267:00 AM | See registration | – |
| 50K | 50K | Dec 5, 20267:30 AM | See registration | – |
| 25K | Other | Dec 5, 20268:00 AM | See registration | – |
| 10 Mile | 10 Mile | Dec 5, 20268:15 AM | See registration | – |
| 5 Mile | Other | Dec 5, 20268:30 AM | See registration | – |
Fees and dates are from the race's official website on the date shown below; confirm them there before you register.
Race day planning
Light and altitude
Sunrise on race morning is at about 7:16 AM, and the 50 Mile starts at 7:00 AM.
Fees exclude processing fees. Comparisons use current entry fees and published results from races nearby.
Start location and course
Competitive Track parking lot, first left after the ranger booth, McDowell Mountain Regional Park, Fountain Hills, AZ
The pin marks the address the race lists, which is usually the start. The organizers have not shared a course map with us yet.
Race guide
What runners should know about McDowell Mountain Frenzy Trail Runs, in brief, from the official race website.
Course
The course
The 50 mile runs a 40 mile loop with out and back climbs of East End, Windgate and Thompson Peak, then finishes with the 10 mile loop, for about 7,026 ft of gain. The 50K uses the Escondido and Pemberton trails and gains about 3,020 ft. Aid comes every 3 to 10.5 miles, and all races end at 11:00 p.m.
Parking and travel
Parking
The park charges $10 per vehicle, so bring exact cash or carpool. The start is at the Competitive Track lot, the first left past the ranger booth.
Shirt and medal
What runners get
Entry includes a race shirt (guaranteed if ordered by Nov. 5), chip timing, post race food, a charity beer garden and a finisher award, with a separate award for 50 milers. A no shirt option costs a little less.
Rules and FAQ
Crews, pacers and cutoffs
Crews may meet runners only at the start/finish. 50 milers may take a pacer for the final loop from about mile 40 and must reach Dixie Mine by 6:00 p.m. and the start/finish by 8:00 p.m. Drop bags go to Dixie Mine (both ultras) and headquarters. No other pacers are allowed.
Facts on this page come from the race's official website (aravaiparunning.com/drt-series/mcdowell-mountain-frenzy, aravaiparunning.com/races), checked Sep 28, 2026. Confirm dates and fees there before you travel.
Race details
- Where
- Competitive Track parking lot, first left after the ranger booth, McDowell Mountain Regional Park, Fountain Hills, AZMap
- Course
- Trail
- Distances
- 50 Mile, 50K, Other, 10 Mile
Organize this race? Add details or a correction
Plan your race
Quick answers
- When is McDowell Mountain Frenzy Trail Runs?
- Saturday, December 5, 2026, starting at 7:00 AM.
- How much does it cost?
- See the registration page for current pricing.
- What distances can I run?
- 50 Mile, 50K, Other, 10 Mile.
- Where does it start?
- Competitive Track parking lot, first left after the ranger booth, McDowell Mountain Regional Park, Fountain Hills, AZ.
About the race
A winter race of Aravaipa Running's Desert Runner Trail Series on the desert singletrack of McDowell Mountain Regional Park near Fountain Hills. The 50K is a single, mostly flat loop that dips into Scottsdale's McDowell Sonoran Preserve, and the 50 mile climbs to Thompson Peak.