Races
Flagstaff Crest 40
Fort Tuthill to downtown Flagstaff. Arizona Trail and Flagstaff Urban Trail. Elden waits at the end.
39.1 mi+5,682 ft-5,751 ft27 hours6,795 ft to 7,406 fttech 7/10Checkpoints per race bookCocodona weekTour de FlagstaffAZTMay
Distance39.1 mi
Gain+5,682 ft
Loss-5,751 ft
Altitude6,795 ft to 7,406 ft
Technicality7/10
Air30°F to 75°F
- Start7,001 ft
- High7,406 ft
- Low6,795 ft
- Finish6,932 ft
- Munds Park at mile 37, cutoff 14 hours
- Finish Flagstaff at mile 39, cutoff 27 hours
Terrain
Field, 2026 · 2-year sampleresults
Starters303
Finish rate93%
Median10:04
Sub-24283
Geometrycourse math
Steepest drop400 ft-4.0% over 1.9 mi
Night miles15 misunset near 19:00 local
Weather at the cruxcourse math
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 Brown
Women5:55:15Madeleine Hawkins
The cruxMount Elden descent (near mile 25)
Course DNA
The Course
Flagstaff Crest 40 runs 39.1 mi through Fort Tuthill to Flagstaff, Arizona. +5,682 ft gain and -5,751 ft loss. Surfaces skew 68% trail / 20% jeep / 12% paved. Mount Elden descent. High point near 7,406 ft. Low near 6,795 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 5,682 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 7/10. 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 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.
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Sources (2)
- Field stats (2026): https://ultrasignup.com/results_event.aspx?did=126944
- Course record (M): https://ultrasignup.com/results_event.aspx?did=115788