Races
Elephant Mountain 50 Miler
Cave Creek desert big loop. January long run before the spring calendar.
50 mi+10,614 ft-10,614 ft15 hours2,064 ft to 3,898 fttech 9/106 stationsJanuary long runSonoran DesertJanuary
Distance50 mi
Gain+10,614 ft
Loss-10,614 ft
Altitude2,064 ft to 3,898 ft
Technicality9/10
Air35°F to 70°F
- Start2,064 ft
- High3,898 ft
- Low2,064 ft
- Finish2,064 ft
- Cave Creek at mile 0.0
- Elephant Mountain 50 Miler mile 10 at mile 10.0, cutoff 3 hours
- Elephant Mountain 50 Miler mile 20 at mile 20, cutoff 6 hours
- Elephant Mountain 50 Miler mile 30 at mile 30, cutoff 9 hours
- Elephant Mountain 50 Miler mile 40 at mile 40, cutoff 12 hours
- Finish Arizona at mile 50, cutoff 15 hours
Terrain
Field, 2026 · 7-year sampleresults
Starters73
Finish rate77%
Median13:47
Sub-2456
Geometrycourse math
Steepest drop699 ft-6.8% over 1.9 mi
Night miles11 misunset near 18:00 local
Weather at the cruxcourse math
At hour 8 of race, feels like 18 C (72 F).Sample of 7 race days, medium confidence.At hour 8 of race, apparent temperature P90 is 18 C / 65 F.
Course records
Men7:44:34Cordis Hall
Women9:19:51Taelor Smith
The cruxDesert Mountain traverse (near mile 33)
Course DNA
The Course
Elephant Mountain 50 Miler runs 50 mi through Cave Creek, Arizona. +10,614 ft gain and -10,614 ft loss. Surfaces skew 90% trail. Desert Mountain traverse. High point near 3,898 ft. Low near 2,064 ft. January temps run 35°F to 70°F. The course rewards patience early and punishes rushed descents after mile 25.
The Work
Train for 10,614 feet of climbing across 50 mi. Back-to-back long runs on trail. Practice power-hiking grades above 15 percent. 15 hours total means limited margin: rehearse fueling every 45 to 60 minutes and downhill eccentric work weekly. Technicality 9/10. Build a block that simulates the crux near mile 33.
Kit
January in Cave Creek, Arizona: plan for 35°F to 70°F. Mandatory shell if rain is in forecast. Headlamp with spare batteries if 15 hours pushes past dark. Poles help on sustained climbs above mile 13. Vest capacity for 2 liters minimum. Shoes matched to 90% trail: lugs for mud, rock plate if the course turns technical after mile 25.
Race Day
Hold effort through mile 13. The field often splits on the first big climb after mile 25. Desert Mountain traverse near mile 33 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 17 miles of fatigue management. Finish with reserve for the last descent.
Results
Elephant Mountain 50 Miler finish lines.
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Sources (3)
- Field stats (2026): https://ultrasignup.com/results_event.aspx?did=125347
- Course record (M): https://ultrasignup.com/results_event.aspx?did=105638
- Course record (F): https://ultrasignup.com/results_event.aspx?did=116700