Races

Crown King Scramble 50K

Lake Pleasant to Crown King, ArizonaMarch

Lake Pleasant to Crown King Saloon. Spines to pines. One climb. Thirty-five years of Arizona classic 50K.

50K+1,458 ft-1,074 ft9 hours1,589 ft to 2,462 fttech 6/10Checkpoints per race bookpoint to pointspines to pinesCrown King Saloon finishMarch
Distance50K
Gain+1,458 ft
Loss-1,074 ft
Altitude1,589 ft to 2,462 ft
Technicality6/10
Air45°F to 80°F
Gradient profileOfficial race GPX
  • Start1,991 ft
  • High2,462 ft
  • Low1,589 ft
  • Finish2,375 ft

Terrain

dirt road100%

Field, 2026 · 21-year samplescraped

Starters298
Finish rate92%
Median8:07
Sub-24275

Geometryderived

Steepest drop240 ft-2.3% over 1.9 mi
Night miles2 misunset near 17:00 local

Weather at the cruxderived

At hour 10 of race, feels like 13 C (65 F).Sample of 7 race days, medium confidence.

Course records

Men3:41:24Ryan Raff2024 scraped
Women4:19:49Courtney Dauwalter2025 scraped

The cruxFour thousand foot jeep road climb from mile 15 to Crown King (near the 65% mark)

Course DNA

The Course

Crown King Scramble 50K runs 50K through Lake Pleasant to Crown King, Arizona. +1,458 ft gain and -1,074 ft loss. Surfaces skew 100% dirt road. Four thousand foot jeep road climb from mile 15 to Crown King. High point near 2,462 ft. Low near 1,589 ft. March temps run 45°F to 80°F. The course rewards patience early and punishes rushed descents after the 50% mark.

The Work

Train for 1,458 feet of climbing across 50K. Back-to-back long runs on similar surfaces. Practice power-hiking grades above 15 percent. 9 hours total means limited margin: rehearse fueling every 45 to 60 minutes and downhill eccentric work weekly. Technicality 6/10. Build a block that simulates the crux near the 65% mark.

Kit

March in Lake Pleasant to Crown King, Arizona: plan for 45°F to 80°F. Mandatory shell if rain is in forecast. Headlamp with spare batteries if 9 hours pushes past dark. Poles help on sustained climbs above the 25% mark. Vest capacity for 2 liters minimum. Shoes matched to 100% dirt road: lugs for mud, rock plate if the course turns technical after the 50% mark.

Race Day

Hold effort through the 25% mark. The field often splits on the first big climb after the 50% mark. Four thousand foot jeep road climb from mile 15 to Crown King near the 65% mark is where time is won or lost. Walk the steep pinches. Run the flats and gentle downhills. Crew at major aids: socks, calories, ice if hot. Transitions under 5 minutes when possible. Final third is the closing stretch of fatigue management. Finish with reserve for the last descent.

Results

Crown King Scramble 50K finish lines.

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Train for Crown King Scramble 50K

Course-specific plan, fuel segments, gear kit, and race morning for Crown King Scramble 50K.

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Crown King Scramble 50K

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