Sky Peaks is back at Arizona Snowbowl! Runners will have the unique opportunity to climb up to 11,500ft, making Sky Peaks Arizona’s highest footrace. On Friday afternoon, runners will tackle the Agassiz Hill Climb, taking a gnarly route to the top of the Arizona Gondola. After climbing 2,100ft in just …
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Sky Peaks is back at Arizona Snowbowl!
Runners will have the unique opportunity to climb up to 11,500ft, making Sky Peaks Arizona’s highest footrace.
On Friday afternoon, runners will tackle the Agassiz Hill Climb, taking a gnarly route to the top of the Arizona Gondola. After climbing 2,100ft in just 1.4 miles, runners can (thankfully) take the gondola back down.
Saturday brings a full slate of racing, with distances ranging from 5K to 50 Miles. All races (except the 5K) start with the 3.4 mile “Agassiz Loop” a grueling route that circumnavigates the Arizona Snowbowl property and tops out at 11,500ft. After that little “warm up”, each distance continues to their respective courses. The 5K stays pretty flat and does a wonderful loop through the Aspens.
For the fixed time events, runners who enjoy this level of pain will stay on the Agassiz Loop for either 6 or 12 hours, racking up 2,000ft per loop!
Sunday will bring the final test of the mountain legs. The Mountain 6K will start at Agassiz Lodge, top out at the Arizona Gondola, and then sprint down the ski runs. The Mountain 20K will be a point to point race where runners will be shuttled to Fort Valley Trailhead to start their adventures. This race will start at 7,200ft and climb to 11,500ft before descending the ski slopes for an epic finish at Agassiz Lodge.
Fall Foliage
When you think of Arizona, you don’t think of acres and acres of uninterrupted pristine forests. But that is what you get in the Coconino National Forest, one of the most sprawling and diverse National Forests in the country. A walk in these woods any time of year is a sight to behold, but this fall, if you make the trip to Flagstaff Sky Peaks Mountain Runs, you will see the blinding golden foliage of the quaking aspens, which only grow at elevations of 6,000 to 8,000 feet. These towering white-barked slender giants seem to dance in the slightest breeze and rain down their shiny golden leaves.
The Fall race date will give you the chance to run through the aspens at near-peak color!
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Fun race and course
I really enjoyed the course. Cool views of the mountains and it's just challenging enough with the two notable big climbs you do. On this particularly hot day, there was … MORE
I really enjoyed the course. Cool views of the mountains and it’s just challenging enough with the two notable big climbs you do.
On this particularly hot day, there was one approximately 9 mile stretch without water or aid station that kicked people’s butt. So, if the aid stations stay the same in the future, I’d say be prepared for that section.
Personally, I had a bad day due to an asthma attack but was still able to finish. I think it was due to me not being used to the elevation.
All in all, I’d recommend this race. If I lived closer, I’d definitely run it again.
25K: 4,525 ft of Elevation/16.41miles
25K Race: -4,525 feet of elevation gain in 16.4 miles. -Beautiful views on top of Arizona Snowbowl. -FAVORITE PART: Running the single track trails on The Arizona Trail. -HARDEST PART: … MORE
25K Race:
-4,525 feet of elevation gain in 16.4 miles.
-Beautiful views on top of Arizona Snowbowl.
-FAVORITE PART: Running the single track trails on The Arizona Trail.
-HARDEST PART: First climb (first 2 miles) and last climb (miles 13-16).
-AID STATIONS: Top notch with a ton of options (sweet, hot, and cold).
-VIEWS: Best views on top of Snowbowl and changing colors of aspens.
-BRING NEXT TIME: Trekking poles for climbing (tri-fold kind).
-HOW TO TRAIN: Tons of climbing!
-GEAR: Hydration Vest (used soft flasks) and layers of clothing (shed as you go).
-NUTRITION: Aid stations, Trailwind, and a few granola bars.
-DO IT AGAIN: Yes, views are worth the pain!!!