Races

Flagstaff Crest 40

Fort Tuthill to Flagstaff, ArizonaMay

Fort Tuthill to downtown Flagstaff. Arizona Trail and Flagstaff Urban Trail. Elden waits at the end with 2,000 feet down in 1.5 miles.

39.1 mi+1,775 ft-1,844 ft27 hours6,814 ft to 7,406 fttech 5/10Checkpoints per race bookCocodona weekTour de FlagstaffAZTMay
Distance39.1 mi
Gain+1,775 ft
Loss-1,844 ft
Altitude6,814 ft to 7,406 ft
Technicality5/10
Air30°F to 75°F
Gradient profileCalTopo course map
  • Start7,001 ft
  • High7,406 ft
  • Low6,814 ft
  • Finish6,932 ft

Terrain

trail68%jeep20%paved12%

Field, 2026 · 2-year samplescraped

Starters303
Finish rate93%
Median10:04
Sub-24283

Geometryderived

Steepest drop377 ft-3.7% over 1.9 mi
Night miles15 misunset near 19:00 local

Weather at the cruxderived

At hour 9 of race, feels like 31 C (85 F).Sample of 7 race days, medium confidence.At hour 9 of race, apparent temperature P90 is 31 C / 88 F.

Course records

Men4:24:59Trueheart Brown2025 scraped
Women5:55:15Madeleine Hawkins2026 scraped

The cruxMount Elden descent, 2,000 ft in 1.5 miles near mile 35 (near mile 25)

Course DNA

The Course

Flagstaff Crest 40 runs 39.1 mi through Fort Tuthill to Flagstaff, Arizona. +1,775 ft gain and -1,844 ft loss. Surfaces skew 68% trail / 20% jeep / 12% paved. Mount Elden descent, 2,000 ft in 1.5 miles near mile 35. High point near 7,406 ft. Low near 6,814 ft. May temps run 30°F to 75°F. The course rewards patience early and punishes rushed descents after mile 20.

The Work

Train for 1,775 feet of climbing across 39.1 mi. Back-to-back long runs on trail. Practice power-hiking grades above 15 percent. 27 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 25.

Kit

May in Fort Tuthill to Flagstaff, Arizona: plan for 30°F to 75°F. Mandatory shell if rain is in forecast. Headlamp with spare batteries if 27 hours pushes past dark. Poles help on sustained climbs above mile 10. Vest capacity for 2 liters minimum. Shoes matched to 68% trail: lugs for mud, rock plate if the course turns technical after mile 20.

Race Day

Hold effort through mile 10. The field often splits on the first big climb after mile 20. Mount Elden descent, 2,000 ft in 1.5 miles near mile 35 near mile 25 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 13 miles of fatigue management. Finish with reserve for the last descent.

Results

Flagstaff Crest 40 finish lines.

Flagstaff Crest 40

39.1 miBlack Canyon City

Sources (2)

Flagstaff Crest 40