I recently moved to Arizona from Pennsylvania and I had to run a race as soon as I got there. This one kept popping up and being a couple hours from where I lived I figured why not. I mainly was a road runner prior so this was my first time truly trail running, I had primarily hiked a lot in my training for the race. I signed up for the half marathon as I had no intentions of ever running further, and my fiance was running his first ultra, the 55k distance.

Vacation Races is probably my favorite race organization now. The expo was small but had enough information, last minute items, and advertisement for other races there to be sufficient. Luckily we got a hotel 4 minutes from the start/finish line for $50/night.

The start times for each distance were staggered and went different ways. The half marathon starts in deep sand and has an uphill incline and then what felt like climbing for the first 5k. After that hill there was an aid station. For the half, it was stocked with water, Gnarly Nutrition, and some basic race snacks. Plus medical and weird sawdust port-o-jons. Further distances got all the main food options. For the half, we had at least 5-6 aid stations and all were nicely spaced out. Then we got on a packed trail known as the "Page Rim Trail" and it was relatively smooth sailing. By mile 10-11, there was more deep sand, then smooth rock, and then next thing you know you're on a metal pathway crossing the finish line.

The announcer at the end announced everyone's name crossing the line and where they were from. It was a cool moment! The medal was this beautiful, it was the like die-cut, see through picture of Horseshoe Bend. We got our choice of two options of free food after (came with our bib) and this cool snack pack filled with about 7 different refuel items.

I truly appreciated the race being completely cup free. They had plastic cups offered along the race to reuse, but they also give out free hydropouches at the expo (you have to request it when you register). This made me finally purchase a hydration pack and I had no issues.

They also allow for volunteer opportunities to get race discounts for future races.

I felt the race was incredibly well run and an absolute blast. I'm addicted to what they're doing and have already ran and another one VR and signed up for the 55k for 2020.

Even though there was sand, I never felt the need for gaiters. I definitely recommend trail specific running shoes for this and to train on trails with running or hiking!