Run·Road
Flagstaff
Southwest Series - Day 4 (AZ)
Listed in our event index as 2026 Southwest Series - Day 4 (AZ).
Flagstaff · United States
Cycling & running events in Flagstaff, 2026
26events this year
26 races within 80 km of Flagstaff
Road, trail, gravel, MTB — you name it, we've got it. Find something worth telling your friends about.
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A few races to know in Flagstaff
We all need a goal — why not think big? Pick one and start training for it. Already happened this year? Find some practice races to build toward next year's edition.Bike·Road
Flagstaff
Tour of the Gila
The Tour of the Gila begins in Silver City, New Mexico, with a five-day cycling stage race for men and women held each April or May. The men's course spans approximately 540 kilometers, and the women's course is about 100 kilometers shorter. Both races include three road stages, an individual time trial, and a criterium. Established in 1987, the event is now a UCI 2.2-ranked race for both men and women. The road stages are known as the "Gila Monster" stages, hinting at the challenging terrain. The race has attracted riders from club level to domestic professionals, along with some well-known cyclists. Lance Armstrong, Levi Leipheimer, and Chris Horner participated, drawing attention during Armstrong's return to racing. SRAM became the main sponsor after the race faced financial difficulties, and another funding issue later threatened its UCI status. Andy Bishop and Nancy Shipp were the inaugural men's and women's champions, and Drew Miller, Burke Swindlehurst, and Mara Abbott hold multiple victories.
Bike·Mtb
Flagstaff
Bear Howard Gravel Race
The Bear Howard Gravel Race begins and ends in Flagstaff, Arizona. The start/finish line is at Lowell Observatory, with the San Francisco Peaks overlooking the course. This August gravel event offers 100-mile, 60-mile, and 30-mile distances, suitable for those seeking their first gravel ride or a challenging century with significant elevation gain. The 100-mile course consists mainly of gravel, interspersed with asphalt and a segment of singletrack. It features over 6,000 feet of climbing and an out-and-back section up Saddle Mountain. The 30-mile loop was introduced for less experienced gravel cyclists, and the longer routes have had their direction modified based on participant input. The race is named in honor of Jessie "Bear" Howard, a notable figure in Flagstaff's history. The event reflects the town's heritage as a former railroad hub, incorporating a sense of Western spirit and storytelling.
About cycling & running in Flagstaff
Flagstaff Training Notes
Running: Flagstaff sits at 2,134 meters, so the paces you used to hit at sea level feel harder each day. Locals stack base miles through Buffalo Park, Thorpe Park, and the FUTS network, which links more than 50 miles of paved and unpaved trails. Buffalo Park gives soft surface laps and quick connections toward Mount Elden. Campbell Mesa trails make easy days feel quiet, with pine-lined singletrack and loops up to 5-6 miles. Lake Mary Road carries the simple long out-and-back. Elden Lookout Trail brings the lung check with over 2000 feet in 2.5 miles. Team Run Flagstaff, NATRA, and NAZ Elite keep the town honest. Anchor races include Flagstaff Marathon, Flagstaff 50's Endurance Runs, Taco 'Bout Fun Run, and the 4th of July Flagstaff Downtown Mile.
Cycling: Flagstaff riding feels small on the road and wide open once the gravel starts. Locals use Lake Mary Road for longer intervals because the road has a big bike lane and top notch pavement. Snowbowl road, 89a, Fort Valley Road / US 180, old walnut canyon road, s cosnino rd, and Schultz Pass Rd give the regular road menu. Gravel and CX bikes open the FS-road world, with Observatory Mesa to Wing Mtn Loop, Gravel Mary, and Walnut Canyon Arizona Trail in the mix. Schultz Creek & Arizona Trail and Full Sail bring singletrack into the week. Flagstaff Biking Organization keeps the bike calendar moving. Bear Howard Gravel Race, Valley of the Sun, and Tour of the Gila sit on the anchor-event radar.
Season: May through early November is the clean training window, and September and October are the sweet spot for mountain biking. Summer gives locals a chance to escape the sweltering heat and enjoy cooler weather, but July through September brings monsoon season, with July and August as the wettest months. Warm summer nights are very uncommon, so early Z2 and evening intervals both work. Winter changes the deal fast because Flagstaff averages over 100 inches of snow each year and the snowy months usually run late November to March. Team Run Flagstaff moves winter practice to the Northern Arizona University Indoor Track, and riders start picking windows instead of assuming every climb is ready.
Upcoming
Coming soon in Flagstaff
All races within 80 km, sorted by date. Click any event for the route, registration link, and past results.No events in the next 7 days within 80 km.
Popular elsewhere · next 30 days
What runners & riders are signing up for
If you're traveling — or just curious — here's where the action is across two of the most active markets on TrainerDay.
United States
National calendar
Europe
Regional calendar01
Corrida de la Beaujoire Nantes, FranceDec 28run02
Krhanický kros Krhanice, Czech RepublicMay 17run03
The Classic Tessenderlo Tessenderlo, BelgiumJul 06run04
1° Straovada Ovada, ItalyMay 26run05
Trail do Serrote Anadia, PortugalMar 14run06
Skatås sjöar 2026 Delsjöbadet, Göteborg, SwedenAug 29run07
Senderberglauf Windischgarsten, AustriaOct 03run
Corrida de la Beaujoire Nantes, FranceDec 28run02Krhanický kros Krhanice, Czech RepublicMay 17run03The Classic Tessenderlo Tessenderlo, BelgiumJul 06run041° Straovada Ovada, ItalyMay 26run05Trail do Serrote Anadia, PortugalMar 14run06Skatås sjöar 2026 Delsjöbadet, Göteborg, SwedenAug 29run07Senderberglauf Windischgarsten, AustriaOct 03run