McDowell Mountain Frenzy
- Date
- Dec 5, 2026
- First start
- 7:00 am
- Distances
- 5 distances
- Time limit
- 16 Hours (11:00pm)
- Elevation gain
- 7,026 feet
Late Registration is available at packet pickup and on race morning at the start line!Explore the best of McDowell Mountain Regional Park with perfect winter weather in the Sonoran Desert. These trails are perfect for beginners and experienced runners alike as they wind and weave their way through beautiful desert single track. The 50K is an ideal first ultra with a single loop course that briefly runs into Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve. Want the ultimate Frenzy experience? Take on the 50 miler that climbs high above Scottsdale to the revered Thompson Peak with 360 degree views of the Valley of the Sun.
Good to know
Competitive Track Parking Lot (First Left after the Ranger Booth) McDowell Mountain Regional Park Fountain Hills, AZ
/ Start Area The start/finish line is located at the competitive track parking area. Overflow parking will be across the street in the Four Peaks Staging Area.
Remember the park now charges a $10 park entry fee per vehicle (as of 1/1/26). Please arrive early and have correct change (cash) available on race morning for a smooth entry process. Carpool to save!
Location Competitive Track parking lot (first left after ranger booth) McDowell Mountain Regional Park, Fountain Hills, AZ.
From central Phoenix, take Loop 202 east to Beeline Highway (SR 87). Continue northeast on SR 87 to Shea Blvd. Travel west on Shea Blvd. to Saguaro Blvd.; turn north. Continue through Town of Fountain Hills to Fountain Hills Blvd; turn right and travel four miles to the McDowell Mountain Regional Park entrance. Directions
Forecast for Fountain Hills, AZ In Fountain Hills, Arizona, December 7th typically has:
Pick your distance
The numbers for each course, straight from the race page. Compare them side by side below.
- Date
- Saturday, December 5, 2026
- Start Time
- 7:00 am
- Time Limit
- 16 Hours (11:00pm)
- Distance
- 50.1 Miles
- Total Elevation Gain
- 7,026 feet
- Max Elevation
- 2,596 feet
Compare the distances
| 50 Mile | 50KM - Sonoran Desert Cup | 25KM | 10 Mile | 5 Mile | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Saturday, December 5, 2026 | – | – | – | – |
| Start Time | 7:00 am | 7:30 am | 8:00 am | 8:15 am | 8:30 am |
| Time Limit | 16 Hours (11:00pm) | 15+ Hours (11:00 pm) | 15 Hours (11:00 pm Overall Cutoff) | 14+ Hours (11:00 pm Overall Cutoff) | – |
| Distance | 50.1 Miles | 30.8 Miles | 15.3 Miles | 10 Miles | 5.2 Miles |
| Total Elevation Gain | 7,026 feet | 3,020 feet | 1,305 feet | 800 feet | 500 feet |
| Max Elevation | 2,596 feet | 2,910 feet | 1,825 feet | 1,780 feet | 1,826 feet |
Course & location
McDowell Mountain Regional Park, Fountain Hills, AZ
Entry fees
Prices go up as race day gets closer; register early.
| Until 5/31 | Until 9/30 | Until 11/30 | Race Week | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Mile | $45 | $50 | $55 | $60 |
| 10 Mile | $70 | $80 | $90 | $100 |
| 25 KM | $90 | $105 | $120 | $130 |
| 50 KM | $130 | $145 | $160 | $170 |
| 50 Mile | $170 | $185 | $200 | $210 |
Prices don't include tax or registration-platform fees.
