Arizona Trail Race 2026

Latest Updates

• 23 hours ago

  Alex Maintains First Place + Weather on the Way...

  by John Schilling

  After 6 days of riding, Alex has increased his lead to 60 miles. He’s set up for an early arrival in Flagstaff. Then it’s north to the Canyon.

  

  There’s been some shuffling in the race for the podium as Caleb reeled in Xavier. Rocky is only a few miles ahead. Going to make for an interesting finish.
  Liz has been maintaining her 25-ish mile lead over Katy. Only one more 800 rider needs to finish the 300, which he’ll do tomorrow.

  

  There’s weather incoming as remnants from Hurricane Rachel are predicted to hit Arizona beginning on Saturday and lasting through Tuesday over most of the state. Alex may be the only one to out pace it. All the others will be dealing with the effects, which includes large areas of death mud up north. The Highline trail, Happy Jack segment and Anderson Mesa are a few of the notorious horrendous areas. There are others. Yikes!

  
• 2 days ago

  Liz Ryen Is First Woman to finish the 2026 AZT 300!

  by Miles Arbour + Photos by Wyatt Spalding

  Rounding out the AZT 300 podium is 43-year-old Liz Ryen from Washington, who passed through the Picketpost Trailhead, southeast of Phoenix, earlier today with a time of 5 days, 2 hours, and 6 minutes. Liz is continuing on to tackle the full AZT 800 route.

  Remember, the podium doesn’t include the 16 other AZT 300 riders starting on October 15th. We’ll update the result times if the current AZT 300 times are beaten.

  
• 3 days ago
  1

  A Mid-Ride Update from the 2026 Arizona Trail Race

  by Wyatt Spalding
• 4 days ago
  1

  Alex Schultz Wins 2026 Arizona Trail Race 300, Pushes on for AZT800

  by Wyatt Spalding
• 5 days ago

  Day Two Update

  by Wyatt Spalding

  Day two began with strong winds coming from the east, with gusts exceeding 36mph (58km/h) in many spots. As the mid-pack entered Tucson’s lower elevations in the afternoon, temperatures were warm, reaching 88ºF+ (31ºC+) in spots. The route in and out of Tucson is very exposed, often with no shade.

  

  

  By 1:30 PM, Alex Schultz, still in the lead, arrived in Summerhaven, the top of Mount Lemmon and route mile 186. I crossed paths with him at the Sawmill Run restaurant, as he stuffed down multiple orders of food. For many, Summerhaven is the last resupply for the 160mi push to Gold Canyon near Phoenix, AZ. About 8 miles back, Rocky Gingg and Xavier Chiriboga were still ascending Mount Lemmon on the notoriously difficult and hike-a-bike-infested Green Mountain Trail.

  

  

  At roughly mile 112, the lead woman, Karin Pocock, scratched from the race. This left Liz Ryan in the lead with a sizable gap over second-place woman Katy Applin. As night fell, the wind remained unrelenting as many riders began the massive ascent up Mount Lemmon’s technical, exposed terrain.
• 6 days ago

  Day One Update

  by Wyatt Spalding

  It was a beautiful morning down by the U.S./Mexico border, where riders gathered around John Schilling as he made a few final notes on important information for this year’s race. As the clock struck 6 a.m., everyone rolled out.

  

  

  The first few miles on Montezuma Canyon Road were marked by sizeable creeks flowing from the Huachuca Mountains to the north, thanks to the heavy rainfall that southern Arizona has received this summer. However, the rainfall has also left the trail slightly rough and rutted, with substantial overgrowth in many parts. At times, overhanging grass completely hides the trail tread, with bits of catclaw hiding within, waiting to scratch anything that passes.

  

  

  Otherwise, the weather has been quite amazing in comparison to previous years, with the high only reaching near 83°F (28°C). As of the evening, Alex Schultz holds a steady lead, followed by Xavier Chiriboga and Rocky Gingg. Karin Pocock leads the women’s field and has held a steady lead all day. Liz Ryan follows her in second, and Katy Applin is not far behind in third.

  It should be a beautiful day in Tucson, Arizona, as riders roll in for the first major resupply before the big push over Mount Lemmon.
• 7 days ago

  ...and they're off!

  by Miles Arbour

  The AZT800 riders, and a few tackling the AZT300, are off and on their way north. It’s a perfect 59°F (15°C) at the start line, but it’s getting hotter throughout the week/weekend, with highs soaring into the mid-90s. In Phoenix next week, they are calling for temps over 100°F (37°C)!
• 8 days ago
  1

  2026 Arizona Trail Race Course Preview and Who To Follow

  by Wyatt Spalding
• 8 days ago
  14

  Rigs of the 2026 Arizona Trail Race

  by Miles Arbour