Cancelled
Saturday, Oct 17, 2020
This Event Took Place Sat. Oct 17, 2020

Cancelled Event

THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED

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About the event

The BoulderDash 13K/30K "Riggs Ranch Route" is a remake of the original BoulderDash. The run starts about 1 mile from the entrance of Chiricahua National Monument in Willcox, AZ. The entire course is on the Historic and working Crossed J Ranch. Be prepared to be heckled by Grandpa Riggs as you run past his front porch and greeted by the Riggs Family as they work the gates and aid stations. You'll then make your way through the corrals and onto the rugged ranch trails. The entire course meanders through the beautiful countryside where you are sure to see a few head of Hereford cattle (don't worry, they are friendly!) You will see some rock formations on the trail, but we encourage you to visit inside the monument before you leave the area.

Hang out after at the start/finish. We'll have burritos and other snacks at the finish line.
This is a cupless event! You must bring your own water system and each aid station will be stocked with water and gatorade and snacks, but no cups! Please plan accordingly!

Schedule of Events

Saturday October 17, 2020
6:30-7:30am - Packet Pick-Up/Race Day Registration
8:00am - Start of 30K Race
8:15am - Start of 13K Race

9:00am - Start of Kids 1 Mile Dash
10:00am - Finish Line Festivities Start
Noon - Award Ceremony

Parking

Parking is limited at the monument and surrounding areas. We have arranged for parking on private property right next to the start/finish. Please carpool if possible!

Course Description

The BoulderDash, Riggs Ranch Route, is comprised of two trail runs – 13km and 30km distances on mostly two-track roads. Both start at the ranch headquarters located at about 5,000 feet elevation in the foothills just outside the Chiricahua National Monument with Sugarloaf Mountain prominently in the background. The runs travel east and north for about 2 miles climbing a small pass and dropping into Pickett Canyon to the first water station (Station A). This canyon is very reflective of the rhyolite tuff (volcanic ash) “hoodoo” formations found in the Monument. Take a second to look around! The routes continue north for approximately 1 mile where the two races split (2.9 miles from the start).
The 13km race turns southwest and travels through another small, grassland valley for about 1 mile to reach their main aid station (Station C, 3.8 miles from start). They continue for a small 1.3-mile loop back to the same aid station at 5.1 miles. Finally, 13km runners head east, back into Pickett Canyon. Watch for the hoodoos on you left! The route comes back through the water station (Station A) and returns on the same 2-mile route back to the start, going up and over the little “grunt” of a hill for a total of 8.2 miles (a bit over 13km).
At the split, the 30km runners travel north for another 1.75 miles on a gentle uphill through the grasslands that parallel the foothills of the Chiricahua Mountains. They’ll reach Aid Station B at 4.8 miles from the start just outside an old set of working corrals. After this aid station, runners will enter a steep canyon and dogleg to the east through Whitetail Canyon of the Coronado Nation Forest while continually climbing slowly but surely. At approximately 6.5 miles from the start, the climbing becomes steeper and steeper. The elevation at this location is 5,800 feet and rises to 6,700 feet to the saddle at mile 8.7 – almost 1,000 feet. At the saddle, the runners will turn around and head back down the canyon to Station B at the 12.5-mile mark. This Whitetail Canyon section is a 7.7-mile out and back – so grab what you need at the aid station the first time through. 30km runners then head slightly downhill for 2.7 miles to another aid station (Station C). They, along with the 13km runners, will head east, back into Pickett Canyon with the intriguing hoodoos, through the water station, and make the 2-mile return trip to the start. They also must navigate the little “grunt” of a hill at mile 16.7 or the “17-Mile Hill”. Just a little reminder of the Riggs Ranch Route! This run ends at the ranch headquarters for a total of 18.2 miles (just a bit shy of 30km) with a total elevation gain of 2,300 feet.
Both races on the Riggs Ranch Route travel through some amazing country of Cochise County in Arizona. Runners race through the same hoodoos that make Chiricahua National Monument what it is! They journey through several ecosystems – grasslands (predominately love and gramma grasses), creek bottoms filled with Emory or Black Oak, Arizona Cyprus, the distinctive white/mottled bark of the Sycamore trees and with pinon/juniper that dot the route. The 30km adds a mile or so of pine trees and, if you look hard, a few confers to augment your experience. Plus, you have a chance to see wildlife and there’s always a possibility the route will go through a pasture with grazing cows and baby calves, and possibly a bull or two!! It is a working ranch!

Accommodations



Camping is permitted inside the park for $15/night. Reservations for camping can be made at recreation.gov. Special rates have also been arranged at The Holiday Inn Express in town (about a 45 min drive.) Call 520.384.3333 and ask for the "BoulderDash Rate!"

Event's current local time: 4:31 AM MT

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