Well…I’ve signed up for a trail 1/2 marathon in San Diego in May…never done any trail running (yes, this could be ugly) – looking for some trail running ideas in the Phoenix Metro area – SE Valley pref - I’m in Chandler/Gilbert – (San Tans? …maybe South Mountain?) – taking suggestions. Thanks!!
-Ron
I used to live in Ahwatukee, and would frequently run at South Mountain. Start at the Pima Canyon Trailhead:
From there, I would often do this 7-mile loop, which is mostly very rocky singletrack but a ton of fun:
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/15790985
When going longer, at roughly the halfway point where I would turn left (east) on to the National Trail, I would instead go right (west) to Buena Vista and back - making for about 12 miles total.
If all of that is too complicated, you can run the Desert Classic Trail out and back - that would be a good way to get familiar with the area.
Now I’m in Scottsdale and can give you some good routes in the McDowells if you’re interested. Let me know.
Well…I’ve signed up for a trail 1/2 marathon in San Diego in May…never done any trail running (yes, this could be ugly) – looking for some trail running ideas in the Phoenix Metro area – SE Valley pref - I’m in Chandler/Gilbert – (San Tans? …maybe South Mountain?) – taking suggestions. Thanks!!
-Ron
There’s trails around the Usury park area, and if you head out to where that plane crashed a little over a year ago (I forget the name), there are trails there as well. Bunch of trails around Papago peak and the zoo as well.
John
I was just there last month and ran at San Tan Park. Super easy trail running (as far as trail running goes) and very enjoyable. I would caution you to be careful with your turns etc. as it can be very easy to get lost on those trails. My sister in law runs it daily and she recently needed to GPS her way out as she got caught in a sudden storm with very difficult conditions.
Ron:
From Ahwatukee to the north in South Mountain Park there are many long trails, some steep. To the far east of South Mountain, around 40th street there are good trails. Around the Zoo, just north of ASU, has a few. Further north you can run flat along the dirt trails along the canals in the Scottsdale area. In the parks, when it gets warmer, keep an eye open for rattlesnakes. I miss the Valley of the Sun for training. Enjoy. Doug
I run the Desert Classic trail at South Mountain Park all of the time. It’s very fun, although rocky in spots, but it will give you some good training. Even though it’s a little bit of a drive, I love going to McDowell Mountain Park and running Pembroke trail, the Scenic Trail, and the many others out there. There’s an Xterra trail race out there this Sunday with 15 mile and 7k options. Very relaxed atmosphere and well run. It would be a good way to ease into trail running “competition.”