Races
Pass Mountain 50 Miler
Usery Park to Goldfield Mountains and back. Pass Mountain twice. Year-one 50 miler.
50 mi+11,086 ft-11,089 ft15 hours1,326 ft to 2,644 fttech 9/106 stationsDesert Runner seriesUsery ParkGoldfield MountainsNovember
Distance50 mi
Gain+11,086 ft
Loss-11,089 ft
Altitude1,326 ft to 2,644 ft
Technicality9/10
Air45°F to 85°F
- Start1,804 ft
- High2,644 ft
- Low1,326 ft
- Finish1,801 ft
- Usery Park at mile 0.0
- Mesa at mile 10.0, cutoff 3 hours
- Arizona at mile 20, cutoff 6 hours
- Pass Mountain 50 Miler mile 30 at mile 30, cutoff 9 hours
- Pass Mountain 50 Miler mile 40 at mile 40, cutoff 12 hours
- Finish the Goldfield Mountains and back at mile 50, cutoff 15 hours
Terrain
Field, 2025 · 5-year sampleresults
Starters53
Finish rate57%
Median13:04
Sub-2430
Geometrycourse math
Steepest drop1,007 ft-10.1% over 1.9 mi
Night miles10 misunset near 18:00 local
Weather at the cruxcourse math
At hour 9 of race, feels like 27 C (86 F).Sample of 7 race days, medium confidence.At hour 9 of race, apparent temperature P90 is 27 C / 81 F.
Course records
Men7:41:01Nick Coury
Women8:23:30Rachel Entrekin
The cruxGoldfield Mountains traverse (near mile 33)
Course DNA
The Course
Pass Mountain 50 Miler runs 50 mi through Mesa, Arizona. +11,086 ft gain and -11,089 ft loss. Surfaces skew 85% trail / 15% jeep. Goldfield Mountains traverse. High point near 2,644 ft. Low near 1,326 ft. November temps run 45°F to 85°F. The course rewards patience early and punishes rushed descents after mile 25.
The Work
Train for 11,086 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
November in Mesa, Arizona: plan for 45°F to 85°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 85% 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. Goldfield Mountains 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
Pass Mountain 50 Miler finish lines.
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Sources (2)
- Field stats (2025): https://ultrasignup.com/results_event.aspx?did=124491
- Course record (M): https://ultrasignup.com/results_event.aspx?did=84699