Man Against Horse Race

The Man Against Horse Race is a race where endurance horses and their riders get to compete alongside runners on the same course at the same time. Legend has it that in 1983, The Man Against Horse began following a bar bet between Gheral Brownlow and cowboy Steve Rafters. Gheral bet Steve he could outrun his horse in an endurance event, and the rest is history. The races consist of three distances: a 50 miler, a 25 miler and a half marathon.

The 50 Miler is the main event where endurance horses and their riders compete alongside runners on the same course at the same time. The course is one large loop and summits Mingus Mountain reaching a max elevation of 7,600ft with approximately 7,300ft gain and 7,300ft loss. The trails are a mix 50% single track, 25% double track and 25% dirt roads. With the elevation that this course sets upon, this will be a much different Arizona experience than most would think. You will traverse across a wide spectrum of terrain from tall grasslands and high desert, down at the base of the mountain to the tall trees of the ponderosa pine forest higher up the mountain.

The 25 miler will also have runners and riders competing on the same course at the same time. The course follows the same course as the 50 mile through the first 17.5 miles. It will then break off for a couple of miles only to reconnect and share the final 6 miles to the finish. The race has approximately 3,300ft gain and 3,300ft loss. The trails are a mix 50% single track, 25% double track and 25% dirt roads. You will also traverse across the same beautiful terrain that varies from tall grasslands and high desert down at the base of the mountain and just touching into the tall trees of the ponderosa pine forest higher up the mountain.

The half marathon (13 mile intro run/ride) is the only event where runners and riders start at separate times. Riders this is a great intro/trail/pleasure ride to come out and see what this race is all about! Runners this is a great course to use as an into trail running.

As you run across Fain Ranch you are greeted with with sweeping views of Prescott Valley. This is a lollipop loop on a fairly smooth course with a mix of 50% double track trail and 50% dirt roads. The course has gentle rolling hills with approximately 800ft gain and 800ft loss.