About This Race
The 15K serves as an ideal introduction to longer night trail running, offering enough distance to experience the unique challenges of headlamp navigation while remaining manageable for most trail runners. This middle-distance option allows participants to settle into the rhythm of night running without the intimidation factor of ultra distances. Well-suited for runners comfortable with trail running who want to explore the different sensory experience that darkness brings.
The courses utilize McDowell Mountain Regional Park's trail network, featuring classic Sonoran Desert terrain with singletrack paths winding through saguaro cactus forests, over rolling hills, and across desert washes. The Escondido, Scenic, Cinch, and Shallmo trails combine to create loop configurations for each distance, with the longest efforts requiring multiple loops.
Runners can expect typical desert trail conditions including rocky sections, sandy washes, and moderate elevation changes characteristic of the Sonoran landscape. The nighttime format adds navigation complexity while showcasing the desert's nocturnal character, from wildlife sounds to the interplay of artificial light against natural desert features.
Elevation Profile
Elevation profile estimated from terrain data. Actual course may differ.
The course gains 1,096 ft over 9 miles, with the steepest section between mile 2–mile 2.
Location
Practical Info
Late May desert conditions with warm daytime temperatures cooling to comfortable running weather after dark, typically 60-75°F during race hours.
PHX - Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
Fountain Hills and nearby Scottsdale offer various lodging options, from desert resorts to standard hotels, approximately 30-45 minutes from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport.
- Headlamp
- Handheld light
Best For
Notable Features
The race's nighttime format transforms the desert experience, with runners' headlamps creating moving constellations across the landscape while revealing the Sonoran Desert's nocturnal character. As part of the Insomniac Night Trail Run Series, it offers runners the opportunity to pursue a unique six-race challenge focused entirely on night running, making it particularly appealing to those seeking something different from typical daytime trail races.