Event Description
XTERRA McDowell Mountain features a 15 mile long course for the more endurance oriented runners which winds out Pemberton Trail and climbs up towards Dixie Mine. Don't forget to check out the cholla forests and fields of beaver tail cacti. The shorter 7k course is, well, scenic. I mean, the trail is called the Scenic Trail. Following a counterclockwise loop, this rocky trail will keep you on your toes.
All participants get an awesome race shirt (I promise it won’t be another white one), cool finisher medals, entry into a great swag raffle, and a yummy breakfast.
Event details and schedule
Late arrivals will park at the Trailhead Staging Area, which is the first right as you enter the park, across from the competitive loops. There will be a couple of shuttles running to get you up to the top to the start line. Shuttles will run continuously from 7:00 until 8:45 and again after the event. Or you can use the 2 mile walk as a warm up. (Keep in mind, packet pickup will be at the Pemberton Trailhead as well. You will not be able to temporarily park up there just to pick up your bib. This is also a plug to come to packet pickup on Saturday).
15Mile COURSE INFO:
Start time: 8:00 am
Route: Pemberton clockwise to Dixie Mine. Short out and back to the park boundary. Continue on Dixie Mine to Coachwhip. Back to Pemberton at mile 10 continuing clockwise. Right turn down Tonto. Cruise back to Pemberton one more time and left to the finish.
Course Closes: 11:30 am
7K COURSE INFO:
Start time: 9:00 am
Route: Pemberton to Scenic Loop. Up the hill and around back to Pemberton and the Start/Finish. 2 aid stations.
COURSES CLOSES: 10:30 am
We recommend that you arrive 1 hour before start of event to allow adequate time for parking, packet pickup, and warmup.