The Mogollon Monster 100 mile is not only a notoriously tough race, it’s also Arizona’s only Hardrock 100 qualifier. With around 18,000ft of total elevation gain on mostly technical and exposed trails, this race challenges the most seasoned mountain runners who throughout the point-to-point course will trudge up and down the rugged and steep escapement known as the Mogollon Rim a total of six different times. In a nutshell, the Monster is not for the faint of heart, and certainly not known for being a popular choice for a “first 100 mile”, but there are a handful of runners who beg to differ, and four of them just happen to work here at Aravaipa Running: Race Director Aaron Barber, Marketing Specialist Bryce Brooks, Director of Events Noah Dougherty (also co-founder of the Mogollon Monster 100), and myself, Social Media Manager Jen Laughlin. Yep! We all chose to take on the Monster as our very first 100 Mile.
Why? Keep reading for a little Q and A that may shed some light on our insanity, and just MIGHT convince you that the Mogollon Monster should be your first 100 mile, too!
Q: What year did you run Mogollon Monster 100 and knowing the advanced degree of difficulty that this event is, why did you decide that it would be your first 100?
Aaron: The 2022 Mogollon Monster was my first 100 miler. I’ve always enjoyed tough, adventure-type races. The more hiking and climbing the better for me! And the Mogollon Rim is one of my favorite places to train. I also think a tough course relieves some of the pressure to run all the time. Hiking, walking, crawling, etc. is expected at this race.
Bryce: I was nervous to take on my first 100 miler and was told that MOG 100 was easy. Are you saying it’s not going to be easy?
Noah: 2017. Seemed like this 100 was the only correct answer for me.
Me: 2021. I chose it because of the location and knowing that I would be forced to take it SLOW.
Q: What was your longest run or race prior to the race? How did you train for it? Did you utilize a running coach or follow a specific training plan?
Aaron:Going into this race last year, my longest run was 50 miles. Although I’m a coach myself, I hired Pete Mortimer to get me ready for Mogollon. We have a great dynamic and I was able to finish Mogollon last year despite an injury during the race. This year, my longest “training run” was 250 miles at Cocodona in May. I’m still working with Pete going into this year’s race.
Bryce: I ran the Ram Party 50 Mile in 2022… As is tradition, I am flying by the seat of my pants for this one. Feels like I’m in over my head, but I wouldn’t say that’s out of the ordinary for me.
Noah: I believe Zane Grey 50M was my longest prior to Mogollon. My brother, a couple friends, and I actually started a challenge in April to run every day, minimum 2 miles just to jump start the training. I was able to run on the Rim that summer for long runs. A fair amount of my 100 mile training consists of, “well if I don’t get my butt out of bed at 4am today, I’m gonna regret it around mile 65+.” hah. No coach or actual training plan…
Me: Longest run ever was Black Canyon 100k in 2017. I did not use a coach. My biggest issues with running long distances are fueling and stomach related so my entire focus when training for Mog was training my tummy! I did quite a few training races but Tushars 70K was the race that ultimately gave me the confidence going into MOG that I was going to finish.
Q: What was/is your A goal for the race? B goal? (If applicable haha)
Aaron: My A-goal is execution during the last 38 miles. Last year I crushed the first four climbs and the cabin loop, but had an incredible blow up after that. This year I’d like to start more conservative and make a push after General Springs. As far as time goes, 25-28 hours seems doable!
Bryce: I’ve looked up to Jeff Garmire for a long time now. He’s been a big inspiration to me since I heard about him taking on the Arizona Trail FKT back in 2019, so my A goal is to beat Jeff. I’d love nothing more than to run him into the ground, in the most respectful way possible. B goal is to take the overall win and knock a few hours off Jeff Browning’s CR.
Noah: This was definitely an “A goal is to finish” type thing but definitely didn’t want to be out there 30+ hours if I didn’t have to be.
Me: My only goal was to finish and use every last minute if needed!
Q: What parts of the race stood out to you the most? Was there ever a time when you doubted you might finish? (Bryce, are you worried about dropping due to going out too fast etc.?)
Aaron: Last year I never doubted that I’d finish. Even during the last 15 miles when my ankle was swollen and wrapped, I knew I could hobble to the finish. The part of the race that stood out was the relentless difficulty of Highline. I think the rocks and the rolling hills on Highline are more difficult than the really steep climbs up the rim.
Bryce: Yeah, wouldn’t be too surprised if that happens. Hoping to take it “easy” until the second half of the race…
Noah: I remember having a great time coming down the Powerline section to Wash. Park and seeing other runners heading up on the Rim. So many friends out at the race volunteering, crewing or running. Having my brother run the entire race with me was pretty awesome and finally being the runner coming into town off Old County Road and into the finish with our families there was amazing.
Me: Even when my stomach turned on me way earlier than I expected it to I never had any doubts that I would not finish. I was determined and not finishing simply was not an option. The course itself was breathtaking. Race day was the first time I had ever stepped foot on the Rim and it exceeded all of my expectations. The things that stood out the most though were how much love I felt from my family and friends who devoted their entire weekend to take care of me. From my pacers, Juda and Nicole to JJC pacer logistics chief Rebecca, to my little Laughlin family who had never crewed a race before and totally nailed it, to seeing fellow coworker friends out on course randomly for high fives and hugs…I could go on and on.
Q: Hallucinations are common, did you have any during your race and what did you see?
Aaron: No hallucinations for me, just a couple mental breakdowns.
Noah: None at this race.
Me: YES! I had a little friend, a dark-haired man wearing a bandana and a trucker hat who was hiding behind logs and trees. Seeing this dude during broad day light was crazy. I would spot him up ahead and tell Nicole my pacer, “There he is again’! Then he wouldn’t disappear until I was just a few feet away!
Q: Did you (will you) use pacers and crew?
Aaron: Last year I had multiple pacers and a large crew with an RV. This year I’m going more “minimalistic”. I have one pacer (Joe Corcione) that will take me from General Springs to Dickerson Flat, but no crew. I plan on leeching off some of my friends’ crews.
Bryce: I’ve got a full team of Crew and pacers! My girlfriend, Summer, my mom and brother are coming out to crew and I’ve got a dream team of pacers, Josh Walker, Von Michaels & Matt Halverson. Knowing they’ll be out there to support means a lot and gives quite a bit of confidence going into the race.
Noah: Our good friend Jay joined us for 30+ miles through the night I think as he’d been a big part of the Mogollon race’s journey from inception which made for some miles. We also had a woman join us in the night from Houston Bros Aid (no longer on the course) through the night because she didn’t feel like running alone and she was a riot. Our wives and young kids made it to a few aid stations crewing too!
Me: Yes! It was my first time using both and I am soooo glad I did. Nicole helped keep me on track to make the cutoffs that we were chasing and unfortunately for Juda, I was sick during the section of the night she was with me but she was absolutely amazing; so patient but kept me moving. My family crewed and they were perfect, plus seeing the pride in my kid’s eyes each time I went on my way after they fixed me up was priceless. They are still so proud of their mom.
Q: Would you run the Monster again?
Aaron: Well after running last year’s race, I’m back for more!
Noah: Definitely with the new course on the table
Me: Can you repeat the question?
Q: Would you recommend it to someone else looking to do their first 100? Why?
Aaron: Absolutely! The point-to-point nature of the course reduces a lot of the mental fatigue that you’d get during an out-and-back or looped course. And all the climbing makes hiking and walking perfectly viable (and expected). Rim country is absolutely gorgeous. Mogollon doesn’t really feel like a race, just a long day out in the woods.
Noah: I think you need to respect the Mogollon Rim and the 100 mile distance but I’ve seen plenty of runners choose and finish The Monster as their first hundred so yes, step right up. You will know you earned every step when you finish this 100 miler.
Me: Absolutely! It is certainly challenging but as the saying goes, go big or go home, right? Plus, you cannot beat the beauty of the rim and the point-to-point aspect of the course; each step is one step closer to the finish!
Q: Lastly, monster sightings…did you have any? Bryce/Aaron are you concerned?
Aaron: The random noises at night are just motivation to keep moving.
Bryce: No monster sightings BUT I have heard bobcats screaming up there at night and it was unsettling! My grandfather used to spend a lot of time on the rim and he swears he saw unbelievably large footprints in a very remote area up there
I watched Signs with Mel Gibson the other day so I’m probably more concerned about Aliens than I am Monsters. Luckily there’s plenty of water up on the rim right now.
Noah: OK, soo…if you are running alone on top of the Rim in the middle of the night through that forest….
Me: No monster sightings but watch for that guy in the trucker hat…
There you have it.
Three Mogollon Monster 100 finishers, one who WILL be after this coming weekend (Bryce), and one who is already heading out for round two (Aaron).
The evidence above is conclusive: The Mogollon Monster 100 makes a perfect first 100. Yes, it’s an advanced degree endurance race but that makes the experience even more significant, and when you are holding that hard earned, shiny buckle in your hand at the finish line in Pine, along with all the new memories and life enhancing moments you’ve just unlocked, you can walk away knowing that you took on one of the toughest races in the country as your FIRST 100, and you did it! You finished the damn thing! The possibilities just became endless…what’s next?
To learn more about Mogollon Monster and more races like this one, check out the events section on our website!