WHAT:   XTERRA Papago Urban Desert Trail Run

WHEN:  October 10, 2021

WHERE:  North Linear Park (map it)  

NEW to the XTERRA Arizona Trail Run Series! You won't have to travel far to enjoy beautiful sights and challenging heights in this kick-off to the 2021-2022 season. Join us in Tempe for either a 26K, 10K, or 5K run through the scenic Papago Buttes. 

All participants will receive a huge post-race breakfast, a super cool race tee and finisher medal, as well as entry into fun post-race festivities. Awards for overall top male and female finishers all three distances. Awards for the top 3 in each age group for the 26K and 10K.

XTERRA TRAIL RUN

Distance: Trail Run – 5K, 10K & 26K

The 26k has a little bit of everything: desert, water, nature and even a glimpse of urban life. Take the 10k course and add a jaunt up the historic Crosscut Canal.  Don’t forget to check for the big horn sheep on the buttes as you pass the Phoenix Zoo.  Continue up the canal right behind the gorgeous Desert Botanical Garden, return to wind your way through the scenic buttes and back to North Linear Park, and then . . . do it all again!

The 10k XTERRA trail run course takes you through the same trails as the 5k and beyond to the Papago Buttes north of Curry Road, just south of the Phoenix Zoo and Botanical Garden. You’ll feel like you’re out in the middle of the desert and red rocks, right in the middle of town! Turn around near Evelyn Hallman Park to wind your way back through the northern portion of the Lizard Trail.

The 5k course only has a few moderately steep sections, making it great for beginners, those bouncing back from an injury, or runners transitioning from road to trail racing. Starting from the north boat ramp of Tempe Town Lake, you’ll cross under the 202 to run the Canal, Lizard and Loma trails just south of Curry Road.