Skull Krusher 50k
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Event Overview
The Skull Krusher 50k is a 29.3 mile / 47.1 km trail run in Tonto National Forest near Cave Creek, Arizona. The race starts and finishes at Bronco Trailhead, north of Phoenix. It is limited to 100 participants and has an 11 hour time limit.
The event takes place on Saturday, March 21, 2026. The entry fee is 75 USD. Parking is available at the Bronco Trailhead start/finish area.
The course uses Cave Creek and Tonto National Forest trails and includes a section to the rim of Skull Mesa. Total elevation change is about 4,137 feet of gain and 4,137 feet of loss. Timing is manual, and results are later posted online. All finishers receive a commemorative hat and other small items. The top female and male finishers each receive a free entry to the Saddles 50 miler.
Course and Support
The route forms a large loop on desert singletrack. From Bronco Trailhead, runners follow Bronco Trail west to the Cottonwood and Maricopa Trail junction, then continue on the Maricopa Trail, including a 1 mile out-and-back to the rim of Skull Mesa. The course then follows Cave Creek Trail #4 north, with several creek crossings, before reaching the Cave Creek Trailhead aid station. After the aid station, the route returns via Cottonwood Trail and Bronco Trail to the finish.
This is a lightly supported, mostly self-sufficient event. There is one fully stocked aid station at about mile 21.6–22 with water, electrolytes, and snacks. Additional water can be taken from creek crossings on Trail 4, so a water filter is recommended. Participants are advised to carry at least 2 liters of water from the start.
Pacers are not allowed. The course is only marked at key junctions, and runners are expected to navigate using a GPX file on a watch or smartphone. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
