Desert Peak Ultra Presented by Everyday Ultra

If you’re looking for a race that combines epic challenges, insane desert views, mountain climbs, buttery singletrack, alpine running, and an epic community gathering: the Desert Peak Ultra is for you.

See full details of the race at desertpeakultra.com

We created this race to combine ultra endurance and a running festival, all in one. Test your limits, gather with other runners just like you, and create a memory that will last a lifetime.

Save these dates:
100K race is Saturday, April 11, 2026
50K race is Sunday, April 12, 2026

Course Description ⛰️

Expect smooth singletrack, steep climbs, desert views for miles, and pines at the top. Fun in the sun during the day, slightly chilly at night. You'll get the best of both worlds with traditional Sonoran Desert and alpine summit running. A great, but accessible, challenge for a first 100K or 50K. And a strong test for even seasoned ultrarunners. This race was designed for you.

The race starts off with a bang, summiting you up the highest mountain in the Santa Catalina Range, Mt Lemmon. The climb is steep and rugged, but rewards you with beautiful views of the city of Tucson and sprawling desert mountains.

You'll hit the top of the mountain in the peaceful ski town of Summerhaven, where you'll be treated with cold drinks, snacks, and replenishment as your reward before your descent down.

Descending down from the mountain is a nice ease on your legs after a tough climb. And then prepare for one more longer climb in the beginning 50K that will challenge you to keep pushing to back to the start/finish.

If you are racing the 100K, you will continue on to the back 50K which contains open desert views for days, buttery singletrack, and punchy climbs. This is pure desert trail running bliss, and what a way to finish your journey.

Distances 👣

100K: Climb straight into the sky as this 100K sends you up the towering face of Mount Lemmon, trading desert heat for crisp pine air at the summit. Rip across sweeping ridgelines with endless Sonoran views, then dive into the back half—miles of buttery singletrack and punchy climbs that will test your grit. From cactus-lined trails to alpine peaks, this is the kind of course that breaks limits and builds legends.

50K: This isn’t your average 50K—this is a mountain mission. The 50K hurls you up Mount Lemmon’s steep, brutal slopes, taking you from desert floor to pine-drenched summit in one relentless push. After the summit, the course plunges into rugged descents and singletrack, making you earn every second of that 50K finish. Cactus at your feet, pines at your fingertips, and a mountain in your legs—the 50K is pure, unfiltered epic.

Summit Challenge (100K + 50K): Test your grit by taking on the 100K on day one, and then the 50K on day two. You'll summit Mt. Lemmon twice and cover 100 miles of epic trails over the course of two days. This is for those who want a serious challenge (and serious kudos).

Elevation Profile & Cutoffs 🗺️

We’re proud to partner with Footpath as our official mapping and navigation tool. While the course will be fully marked, we strongly recommend downloading the route in advance so you’re prepared on race day. You can save it for offline use in the Footpath app or export it directly to your GPS watch or device.

These race links unlock Footpath Elite access for these routes, including the ability to download routes and maps for offline navigation when cell service is limited. Elite also includes turn-by-turn voice guidance, detailed elevation and slope analysis, premium topo maps, and route export to your GPS device. Since pioneering mobile route planning in 2013, Footpath has been featured by Apple and is trusted by over a million users worldwide. Available on iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Android.

100K: 12,000 ft of climbing. 24 hour cutoff



50K: 8,000 ft of climbing, 12 hour cutoff

Volunteering 🙋‍♀️

Want to volunteer for the race? Get a free entry into next year's race by signing up Here

Frequently Asked Questions ℹ️

For additional information including our withdrawl/deferral policy, go to desertpeakultra.com

Aid Stations 🍌

Aid stations will be fully stocked with gels, drink mix, electrolytes, hot and cold food, snacks, candy, chips, water, and more! In terms of on-course nutrition brands, HYPERLYTE will be providing their products at each aid station for free. This includes their carbohydrate/electrolyte drink-mix, both caffeinated and non-caffeinated versions. Race entrants will get a discount code to try their products in training. You can find the full aid station chart at desertpeakultra.com

Questions? 💭

If you have questions, contact our amazing Race Director, Shelby Heinz, at shelby@theeverydayultra.com

Onsite Camping ⛺️

This is to reserve an on-site camping spot for the Desert Peak Ultra! Camping will be at the Start/Finish for the race, and will have bathrooms on site available for use. All you need to bring is your own camping gear (tent, sleeping bag, etc) as this is to reserve your spot on the campsite. Price is $35/per night. Book here!

Event's current local time: 2:07 AM PT