McDowell Mountain Frenzy 50 Mile Race Info

Summary: Located in McDowell Mountain Regional Park in Fountain Hills, AZ, the 50 miler is one of several races going on in the park, along with running in the City of Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve. 50 Mile runners will run the 50k loop plus a lollipop and out and back section, and while much of the race is on runnable, non-technical trail, the steep climb up and down Thompson Peak will have runners yearning for flatter ground again. Other distances offered include 50k, 25k, 10m, and 5m.

Lessons Learned from Race Reports

Remember the park charges a $7 park entry fee per vehicle
Cupless event – come prepared
With several races going on at once, make sure you know which ribbon color marks the course you should be on (50M = white)
It will be cold at the start of the race, especially before the sun comes up, so plan accordingly for what you wear pre-race and to start
Single track trail is very runnable in many sections of the course
Easy to go out fast with the beginning part of the race being relatively easy, rolling, runnable trail
Exposed trail – it will get warm and bring sunscreen! There is no shade!
The descent from Bell Pass (~mile 28) is more technical switchbacks until you hit Thompson Peak Road, which is ~ 1 mile
The climb up to Thompson Peak is very steep, both up and down, and the hardest part of an otherwise very runnable, non-technical course
Be ready for one last little hill before getting to the start/finish aid station heading into mile 42
Bring enough water at all times between aid, especially the 10.5 mile section without aid, as weather can change fast and get hot very quickly, even if it starts out cloudy.