Six trips up and down the Mogollon Rim on 30-45% grades — “finishing isn’t just something you do, it’s something you decide,” in the race’s own words. A Hardrock qualifier and, new for 2026, a Western States qualifier too.
Quick facts
- Location: Two-Sixty Trailhead, Payson, AZ (start) to Pine, AZ (finish) — point-to-point across the Mogollon Rim
- Date: September 12-13, 2026, 6:00 AM Saturday start
- Distance: Approximately 102.3 miles, 38-hour cutoff
- Website: aravaiparunning.com/mogollon-monster
- Contact: info@aravaiparunning.com · (602) 346-0554 — Aravaipa Running
- Registration: Opens via UltraSignup, closes September 7. Requires a completed 50-mile-or-longer race prior to race day. A Hardrock 100 qualifier and, starting 2026, a Western States 100 qualifier.
Course description
A point-to-point crossing of the Mogollon Rim, a 2,000-foot escarpment running 200 miles across Arizona, from Two-Sixty Trailhead near Payson to the town of Pine. The course climbs the Rim six separate times — starting with a short, steep pitch above See Canyon, then repeated ascents and descents past Horton Trailhead, Fish Hatchery, Myrtle, Buck Springs, Pinchot Cabin (the “Cabin Loop” through Coconino National Forest), General Springs, Washington Park, Geronimo, Donahue, and Dickerson Flat before a final long descent into Pine. Grades on some climbs hit 30-45%. Terrain shifts repeatedly between exposed high-desert scrub near the base and the largest contiguous ponderosa pine forest in the world along the top of the Rim, with sections of thick manzanita, loose volcanic rock, and stretches of the historic Highline Trail.
Elevation change
Approximately 15,900-17,000 feet of cumulative gain across six Rim climbs. Never below 5,200 feet, never above 8,000 feet — but the repeated steep pitches make it feel harder than the numbers suggest.
Aid stations
13 named aid stations along the route: See Canyon (mile 11.1), Horton Trailhead (21.5), Fish Hatchery (26.8, first drop bag location), Myrtle (39.2, no crew), Buck Springs (42.8, first pacer pickup), Pinchot Cabin (52.4), General Springs (58.7, crew-only, no aid), Washington Park (61.1), Geronimo (72.3), Donahue (81.8), Dickerson Flat (85.6, crew-only, no aid), Pine Canyon (90.5), and Pine Trailhead (101.1, water only, less than 2 miles from the finish).
Special conditions & average temps
September in Arizona’s high country brings a real risk of monsoon storms — hail, lightning, and downpours have stranded runners at aid stations in past years — alongside the opposite risk of exposed, hot miles with no monsoon relief at all. A rain shell is strongly recommended regardless. Loose volcanic rock, dense manzanita and cat’s claw, and steep, technical descents off the Rim are the course’s defining hazard, more than altitude or heat alone.
Recent results — top 3, men & women
2025
- Men: 1. Jeremy Humphrey 21:07:51 · 2. Tim Vail 22:38:09 · 3. Craig Gillis 22:40:07
- Women: 1. Colleen Moffatt 27:52:30 · 2. Sarah Dasher 29:18:58 · 3. Jessica Schiller 31:00:51
2024
- Men: 1. Kilian Korth 22:37:25 · 2. Edher Ramirez 23:40:04 · 3. Buck Blankenship 23:48:45
- Women: 1. Teresa Shiflett 29:28:34 · 2. Maia Detmer 30:53:19 · 3. Amanda Jamrogiewicz 30:56:06
2023
- Men: 1. Peter Mortimer 22:31:59 · 2. Shaun Burke 23:08:09 · 3. Jeff Garmire 23:51:37
- Women: 1. Megan Eckert 24:42:24 (course record) · 2. Sarah Garrigan 31:26:15 · 3. Meghan Slavin 31:30:19
Registration deadline & how to get in
Open registration via aravaiparunning.com and UltraSignup, closing September 7 or when the field fills. Entrants must have completed at least one 50-mile-or-longer race before race day. The Mogollon Monster qualifies finishers for the Hardrock 100 lottery, and starting in 2026, also qualifies for Western States 100.
Traveling to this race? Find lodging near the venue via Hotels.com.