Races
El Jefe 100
Tiger Mine to Superior. Sonoran desert to pine on remote Arizona Trail tread.
- Start4,065 ft
- High4,125 ft
- Low1,652 ft
- Finish2,707 ft
- Aid 1 at mile 20, cutoff 8 hours
- Aid 2 at mile 40, cutoff 12 hours
- Aid 3 at mile 60, cutoff 16 hours
- Aid 4 at mile 80, cutoff 20 hours
- Aid 5 at mile 100, cutoff 28 hours
- Finish Superior at mile 105, cutoff 36 hours
Geometryderived
Weather at the cruxderived
At hour 8 of race, feels like 28 C (85 F).Sample of 7 race days, medium confidence.At hour 8 of race, apparent temperature P90 is 28 C / 83 F.
The cruxMount Lemmon climb from the Sonoran floor (near mile 68)
Course DNA
The Course
El Jefe 100 runs 105 mi through Oracle to Superior, Arizona. +6,098 ft gain and -7,456 ft loss. Surfaces skew 90% trail / 10% jeep. Mount Lemmon climb from the Sonoran floor. High point near 4,125 ft. Low near 1,652 ft. April temps run 40°F to 90°F. The course rewards patience early and punishes rushed descents after mile 53.
The Work
Train for 6,098 feet of climbing across 105 mi. Back-to-back long runs on trail. Practice power-hiking grades above 15 percent. 36 hours total means limited margin: rehearse fueling every 45 to 60 minutes and downhill eccentric work weekly. Technicality 5/10. Build a block that simulates the crux near mile 68.
Kit
April in Oracle to Superior, Arizona: plan for 40°F to 90°F. Mandatory shell if rain is in forecast. Headlamp with spare batteries if 36 hours pushes past dark. Poles help on sustained climbs above mile 26. Vest capacity for 2 liters minimum. Shoes matched to 90% trail: lugs for mud, rock plate if the course turns technical after mile 53.
Race Day
Hold effort through mile 26. The field often splits on the first big climb after mile 53. Mount Lemmon climb from the Sonoran floor near mile 68 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 35 miles of fatigue management. Finish with reserve for the last descent.
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