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Built on bad decisions in Boulder, CO.

Sinister Night Runs 54KM

Draft Listing
  1. Aravaipa Running
  2. 2026 Edition

Six loops through Sonoran Desert under the stars

Directions
DeadlineApril 20, 2026
This event took place on April 25, 2026

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All trail races in Arizona→
April 25, 2026
Saturday start
Queen Creek, AZ
United States
34.3 miles
Loop Course
3,290 ft
Elevation Gain
Open Registration
No lottery
No Service Requirement
Does not require trail or volunteer work
No Qualifier
No qualifier race required
Challenging
Some ultra experience recommended
Links
WebsiteInstagramFacebookYouTube
2013
Established

What Makes It Great

Six loops of rolling Sonoran Desert trails after dark, the Sinister Night Runs 54KM sends runners on repeated laps of San Tan Mountain Regional Park's iconic 9 km circuit. Starting at 6:30 PM when temperatures hover in the 90s°F, runners navigate the San Tan, Hedgehog & Littleleaf Trails beneath the desert sky as the night cools. With a single remote aid station mid-loop, drop bags at the start/finish, and pacers allowed from loop 5 onward, this event rewards heat management, mental fortitude, and smooth nighttime pacing across six laps of fast Sonoran Desert singletrack.

Difficulty

Intermediate
4/10

Some ultra experience recommended

Night Running
Extreme Heat

Race Highlights

Classic Arizona night race
Starts at 6:30 PM in 90°F desert heat and runs through the night to a 4:30 AM cutoff
Iconic saguaro cactus scenery
Six loops through San Tan Mountain Regional Park showcase towering saguaros beneath the Arizona night sky
Six-loop format
Repeated laps of the 9 km San Tan, Hedgehog & Littleleaf circuit — you'll know every rock by loop three
Legendary aid station food
Fully stocked with quesadillas, grilled cheese, bean rollups, and sweet and salty snacks throughout
Opens the Insomniac Night Series
Race 1 of the 6-race Insomniac Night Trail Series; series passes unlock steep discounts across all events

Finish Awards

Artworx Finisher Award
Custom Artworx finisher award for all 54KM finishers
Podium Award
Podium recognition for top 3 male and female finishers

Sinister Night Runs 54KM

Queen Creek, AZ, United StatesApril 25, 2026

April 25, 2026
Course map for Sinister Night Runs 54KM
DistDistance34.3 mi
GainElevation Gain3,290 ft
LimitCutoff10 h
Night RunningExtreme Heat

Entry Timeline

Registration DeadlineApril 20, 2026
Race DayApril 25, 2026

Lottery

This event uses open registration - no lottery entry required.

Qualifier

This event does not require a qualifier for entry.

Service Requirement

This race does not have a service requirement for entry.
34.3 mi
Distance
Loop
Route
10h
Cutoff Time
1,785 ft
Average Elevation
3,290 ft
Total Ascent
3,290 ft
Total Descent
1,900 ft
High Point
1,667 ft
Low Point
Course map
Launch Course Explorer

Aid Stations

LocationMileElevation
Start
Start
0.01,677 ft
Finish
Finish
33.01,677 ft

Sign in to see cutoffs, crew access, drop bags, and services for every aid station.

No on-site camping available

Crew Access Points

Pacer Rules

  • Pacers are allowed beginning on loop 5 (36K mark) for 54K runners only

Crew Rules

  • Crews are allowed at the start/finish area
Weather
Heat Training Recommended

Race starts in the low-to-mid 90s°F; temperatures gradually cool through the night

Gear Rules

Required Gear

No required gear specified

Recommended Gear

No recommended gear specified

Videos & Race Reports

No videos or race reports available for this event yet.

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Register•April 25, 2026