This was my second Ragnar Trail event and my 4th Ragnar event. Since they were doing a double medal for running Del Sol & McDowell, I felt I *had* to run McDowell. I'm so glad I did. Since I've moved to AZ I've fallen in love with trail running.

I was fortunate to be affiliated with a running group when we went to McDowell, so we had reserved camping space. If you aren't with a group that has reserved space (and there aren't a lot of groups that get that priviledge) you HAVE TO go up Thursday night to secure a camping spot, or you'll be far away from the exchange tent & all the happenings - that would not make for a fun event.

So, as long as you come & set up the night before, camping is good - if not, you'll be hard pressed to find a free spot to set up your tent. There just isn't adequate space for the number of teams they have running at this event.

The 3 loops you run at McDowell are all great - I enjoyed all of them and didn't feel any of them were overly difficult. I didn't like the long hill on the Red loop - it seemed it would never end, it was very rocky, and I was running it as the last leg of the race, so it was warm. I ended up walking part of that uphill, which frustrated me, but I still had a decent time on the loop and had a great race overall.

They had a decent pasta dinner that was included and they had Freak Brothers Pizza available to purchase - which was super yummy. They had a good variety of vendors for a trail event along with their Ragnar store.

I personally prefer the trail events over the road relays because you get to be with your whole team & it's a more relaxed environment. The double medal was definitely worth it, and McDowell Trail is one I will be running again.