Elden Ridge Run
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Elden Ridge Run
The Elden Ridge Run is a 1/2 Marathon footrace held in Flagstaff, Arizona. The route begins at the Sandy Seep Trailhead, which features open meadows and ponderosa pines. The course transitions onto the Christmas Tree trail before intersecting with the Elden Lookout trail.
Participants encounter a significant ascent leading to the summit of Mt. Elden. The path then continues down the lookout tower road to the Sunset trail, offering views of the nearby peaks and the Flagstaff area. A single aid station is situated approximately 6 miles into the race, providing water, fuel options, and electrolytes. Following this, the course follows a gradual descent on the New Heart trail, characterized by views of the Little Elden cliffs and a mix of single track and technical sections.
The final segments of the race utilize the Little Elden and Old Little Elden trails, eventually returning to the Christmas Tree trail for the final mile. This closing section consists of a gradual descent back to the starting point. The event has specific time limits, including a 2-hour cutoff at the 5-mile mark (summit) and a total race cutoff of 4-hour.
Event Features:
- 1/2 Marathon (13.1 miles)
- Single aid station at mile 6
- Manual "gun" timing without bib chips
- Small field size with limited parking (approximately 30 vehicles)
- High clearance vehicles are recommended for the primitive trailhead lot
- Post-race espresso bar and recovery snacks
The environment consists of shaded areas and open sections, with potential for wind and cold temperatures at the summit. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
