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Race guide · Arizona, USA
How to train for Javelina Jundred
Rolling desert loops on the Pemberton Trail, plenty of heat and the most famous costume party in ultrarunning. Here's what to know and how to get ready.
Next race Oct 31 – Nov 1, 2026
| Distance | Climb | Time limit | Start | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 Mile | 100 mi | 6,296 ft | 30 h | Sat 6:00 AM |
| 100K | 62 mi | 3,956 ft | 29 h | Sat 7:00 AM |
| Night Trail 31K | 19.3 mi | 1,164 ft | 8.5 h | Sat 6:00 PM |
All loops are in McDowell Mountain Regional Park near Fountain Hills. The 100-miler is one 22.3-mile loop, then four of 19.45 miles. Waves start at 6:00 and 6:30 AM.
What makes it hard
Heat and no shade
The course is open and exposed, with average highs around 82°F and almost no shade.
Train for it: Heat training in the last 3–4 weeks, and practise drinking and cooling on long runs.
Runnable loops
Rolling singletrack means you can run almost everything, which makes it easy to go out too fast.
Train for it: Steady long runs at race effort, and stick to a pacing plan from the first loop.
A long desert night
Most 100-mile runners are out through the night, when temperatures drop toward the 50s °F.
Train for it: Night runs with your headlamp, and pack layers in your drop bag.
How long to train
Plan on 20–24 weeks for the 100-miler, 16–20 for the 100K and 8–10 for the Night Trail 31K if you're already running 4–5 days a week.
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How much elevation gain is Javelina Jundred?
About 6,300 ft for the 100-miler and 4,000 ft for the 100K, spread over rolling desert loops.
When is Javelina Jundred?
October 31 – November 1, 2026, according to the organiser. And yes, costumes are part of it. Always confirm on the official race site.
Race facts checked October 2, 2026 against aravaiparunning.com. Confirm dates and rules with the organiser. Vert.run is not affiliated with the race.