The Flagstaff to Mormon Lake 50-mile foot race and relay is a 50-mile race that will follow most of the Arizona Trail from Walnut Canyon to Mormon Lake (Mormon Lake, AZ). The race will begin at the Campbell Mesa trail system parking lot and take a right up on the Campbell Mesa loop to the start of the Walnut Meadows loop and keep on counterclockwise. After about 2 miles the runners will take a right on the AZ trail connector trail, cross Old Walnut Canyon road and run until they reach the AZ trail and make a right turn and head toward Fisher Point. After running along the rim of Walnut Canyon for several miles, they will reach the Fisher Point Aid Station/Exchange #1 (AS#1, 1st aid, food & water). This is mile 8.3 mile. Shortly after leaving the Aid Station, the runners will drop into the mouth of Walnut Canyon and follow the AZ trail toward Marshall Lake for about 8 miles to reach the checkpoint (making sure runners don’t get confused at that point and follow the proper course) and 1 mile later Marshall Lake Aid Station /Relay Exchange #2 (AS #2, 1st aid, food & water). This is mile 17.1.

Just past the Marshall Lake Aid Station, the runners will get back on the single track AZ trail that will take them across Anderson Mesa 2-track and enjoy panoramic views of Lake Mary and Mormon Mountain in the distance. They might even see a few grazing cows along the way. The race will pass Lost Tank and Horse Lake (22 miles into the run for solo runners) and make a right to go from 2-track to single track. The runners will quickly reach the intersection of the AZ Trail/Lake Mary road and carefully cross the road. Shortly thereafter they will find the Pine Grove Aid Station/ Relay Exchange #3 (AS #3, 1st aid, food & water, cell phone reception). This Aid Station also has a cut-off time of 1 PM. Runners not making the cut-off time will be automatically disqualified. This is mile 27.7.

Runners will continue south on the Arizona Trail towards Mormon Mountain. They will cross a couple of forest roads including Wiemer Springs Rd until the Mormon Mountain Trailhead, also a water cache. This is mile 35.4. They will make a sharp right onto Mormon Mountain trail and start the grueling 2.2 mile ascent to the top of this single track where they will find a meadow (8,403 ft). A bit further is the intersection with forest road FR 648 where they will make a right on FR 648 and head up toward the radio towers to reach the checkpoint near the radio towers at 8,482 ft. The race will head back down the mountain using FR 648 to the Mormon Mountain Aid Station (AS #4, 1st aid, food & water). This is mile 39.1.

At this point the race will continue down on FR648, enjoying beautiful views from above Mormon Lake until reaching forest road FR 132A. They will stay left and continue on FR 132A for 3.8 miles, pass Mud Spring Tank, Rock Dike Tank until the junction with forest road FR 240. Runners will run straight (eastward) on FR 240 for 2.2 miles until they reach the FR 240 Aid Station/ Relay Exchange #4 (AS #5, 1st aid, food & water). This is mile 45.8.

The race will continue south on the AZ trail for 4.6 miles until they will cross the forest road FR 219A and .5 mile later make a left turn (eastward) on FR 219. This .7 mile on FR219 will take them to the finish line near the intersection with Mormon Lake road. Due to logging/thinning activities, there may be a detour from the AZ Trail in this area. This is mile 51.6.

Relay Team Exchanges

2 Person Team (Runner 1: Start to Pinegrove Campground = 28 miles; Runner 2: Pinegrove CG to Finish = 22 miles) 5 Person Team (Runner 1: Start to FR 301=9 miles; Runner 2: FR 301 to Marshall Lake=9 miles; Runner 3: Marshall Lake to Pinegrove CG=10 miles; Runner 4: Pinegrove to FR 240 and AZ Trail Junction=13 miles; Runner 5 FR 240/AZ Trail to Finish=7 miles

Event's current local time: 7:46 AM MT