COCODONA 250
Discovering Flagstaff Through the Cocodona 250
By Sarah Ostaszewski
It’s no secret that Flagstaff is one of the country’s top high-altitude running meccas. Especially over recent years, Flagstaff has shifted from sleepy mountain town and seasonal training grounds for professional runners and Olympians to full-blown trail running destination with a thriving outdoors community. World-class track athletes and elite-level marathoners are no longer the only one’s training year-round in Flagstaff. Some of the world’s best ultramarathoners have made the high-altitude hub their home. More and more trail runners are considering their own move to Flagstaff, and not without good reason.
Easy access to a variety of trails and terrain makes for stellar year-round running. There are miles and miles of smooth, flowy singletrack and plenty more rugged routes to challenge even the most experienced trail runners. For easier training days, there are endless stretches of open gravel and dirt roads. If it’s too cold or snowy in Flagstaff, runners can drop down to red rock country of Sedona or take a quick trip to the aptly named Grand Canyon. The local trail systems connect just about every corner of town, too. The Flagstaff Urban Trail System (FUTS for short) and intersecting trails take runners from beneath forests of towering Ponderosa pines within the world’s largest contiguous ponderosa pine forest into canyons or up the steep, rocky slopes of the San Francisco Peaks. The Arizona Trail also intersects many of the local trail systems. To top it all off, Flagstaff sits at about 7000 feet altitude. Simply put, it’s the dream for all runners.
It’s also the endpoint of one of the longest, wildest ultramarathons in the country: the Cocodona 250.
Cocodona was conceived of by ultramarathoner and Aravaipa Running founder, Jamil Coury, and gives willing runners the ultimate tour of Arizona. The name itself combines “Coconino” County, where Flagstaff is located with “Sedona,” another highlight of the course. The race finishes right in the heart of Flagstaff, at Heritage Square. Aravaipa Running—the premier trail- and ultra- event organization with a growing content production and media presence—knows how to put on a race. This 250-mile route celebrates not only some of the best trails in Arizona, but also its local communities, history, and expansive, awe-inspiring landscapes.
The multi-day adventure begins in Black Canyon City and steadily works its way through some of the most scenic, rugged, and remote trails the state has to offer. After taking runners through the iconic towns of Prescott, Jerome, and Sedona, the course climbs all the way up to the Coconino Plateau. From there, runners traverse several of Flagstaff’s best trail systems over the final 40 miles. And even if runners are hallucinating or physically, mentally, and emotionally wrecked from the many miles they have already covered, they will surely enjoy this final leg of the race. The trails are just that good.
Here are the five trail systems that Cocodonans will travel through on their way to the coveted finish line in downtown Flagstaff.
Some trails may feel significantly more challenging than others, especially for those who have already covered 200-plus miles beforehand. Still, all are easy to access and cater to a wide range of difficulty levels and terrain preferences.
Take any trail from the main parking lot and you’ll have a good run. Many of the dirt and gravel paths are shaded by the tall pines, but runners can head out onto the wide, more exposed Woody Mountain Road and hit cruise control for miles. Run all the way out to the arboretum and back, or keep going and then hop onto a trail connector for more scenic foot travel. The terrain is generally pretty smooth and flowy, but you can find some rockier trails, like sections of the Soldier Loop, with a bit more vert.
2) Walnut Canyon & Campbell Mesa
Quiet and peaceful, the Walnut Canyon National Monument area east of town is perfect for a casual long run. If you go the Cocodona route, head out to Fisher Point for panoramic views at sunset. Or you can get onto the Arizona Trail for more miles until you come to Old Walnut Canyon Road—a glorious stretch of soft, rolling dirt road perfect for faster workouts or surges of speed. No bad options here. Continue on and you’ll arrive at Campbell Mesa, a weekday favorite for relaxed, not-too-technical running. You’ll catch glimpses of the mountains through the trees.
3) Picture Canyon
Picture Canyon is a nice, calming interlude before Cocodonans reach the final climb of their race. The Arizona Trail bisects the Tom Moody Loop, which is a rolling stretch of smooth, relatively flat trail perfect for an easy effort run. Let your mind run free as you loop around. At a few points within Picture Canyon, look to the west and you’ll see Mount Elden towering above the east side of town.
4) Elden Lookout Trail #4
Undoubtedly one of the most popular hiking trails in the area, Elden Lookout climbs roughly 2,000 feet in just over 2 miles, topping out at the summit of Mount Elden at 9,299 feet. After taking in the impressive views of Flagstaff far below, continue onto the Sunset trail and you’ll get views of the San Francisco Peaks. Tall pines provide a reprieve from the sun down to Sunset Park. Cocodonans will turn off here and follow Elden Lookout Road all the way back down to the base. If you’re not trying to finish off your 250-mile race, continue on Sunset and choose any number of trails for a fun days’ worth of running.
5) Buffalo Park
A Flagstaff classic and local favorite. Cocodonans will pop out into Buffalo Park after descending the five miles of Elden Lookout Road. The park boasts one of the nicest, most accessible gravel loops in town. From the gravel path, you get views of Elden and the Dry Lake Hills as well as the impressive San Francisco Peaks. “Buffaloops” are best enjoyed during the early morning hours or at dusk when that golden light hits just right.
Whether you’ve just completed your unforgettable 250-mile journey across Arizona, or you’re just coming back from your daily training run, Flagstaff has plenty of options for food and drink, too.
Here are a few spots to check out:
Stop by Tourist Home for a breakfast burrito and churro donut. Down the street is the charming Macy’s European Coffee House, which has a big vegetarian and vegan menu and serves the best coffee in town. They also make replenishing necessary carbs easy with a wide, rotating selection of decadent pastries and baked goods. Pizzicletta is the clear runners’ favorite with Neapolitan-style, wood-fired pizzas and a great beer selection from Dark Sky Brewing.