2025 Cocodona 250

A woman with braided hair smiles at the camera, holding a race bib for the Cocodona 250 event, dated May 5-10, 2023, with the number 141 and her name, Alexa Hasman. She wears a beige t-shirt with owl-themed buttons.

I have a rule when it comes to racing, particularly “A” races for the season: never run a race twice. The idea is simple. I want to explore new places, new terrain, new race vibes. But Cocodona broke that rule. I had to return, not for redemption from smoke-filled lungs in 2024, but because this race is just incredibly special.

In 2025, I stood at the start line on my mother’s birthday. She had passed away just a few months earlier. I vowed that if she could suffer through the horrors of pancreatic cancer, I could certainly survive whatever the Arizona desert threw at me for 250 miles. The year before, I had also stood at that same start line and finished, though under less than ideal circumstances after a controlled burn left smoke hanging heavy in the area. It wasn’t ideal, but I got it done. This year, my goal was simple: beat last year.

SECTION 1: START → COTTONWOOD CREEK

Everyone who gets ready for Cocodona hears about the first day. The long, arduous climb for 30 miles to the Lane Mountain aid station. Hot, exposed, and absolutely relentless. Water is imperative, but let me tell you, it is NOT the hardest part of day 1. This is my number one tip for new Cocodona runners, and I’m about to expose the sneaky climb that breaks your spirit.

This section starts out rocky, dry, hot, and long. At the first aid station, at mile 7.4, take water. Do not skip this, even if you have barely touched yours. Fix anything that needs fixing while you are there. At this spot I adjusted some tape on my feet that wasn’t sitting right. You are only 7 miles in, so there is no need to rush, even though the vibe is very much that you should.

Tips:

Take water here.
If you have thought about something three times, fix it.
Stay calm and don’t rush this section.

A crowd of people gathered at night for an event, with a banner reading 'Adventure Awaits' and cacti in the background.

SECTION 2: COTTONWOOD CREEK → LANE MOUNTAIN

That first climb is not easy, but it is completely doable with mental fortitude. If you know it is coming (and you should), you can get through it one step at a time. One benefit of this section is that there are still a ton of people around you. You can chat, make friends, eavesdrop on conversations, and get a pretty quick read on the mindset of the group.

They suggest 4 liters of water for this section, and I would take that seriously. You will run out. Carry that at a minimum. In 2024, water was stolen from a station along this section, leaving the last 8 miles up to Lane Mountain extremely thirsty. Do not worry about the weight either. The more you drink, the lighter your pack gets. But if you fall behind on hydration here, you are setting yourself up for a hard few days. Also, do not rely on water alone. Add electrolytes, unless you are a fan of hyponatremia and peeing constantly.

Use this long climb to settle into the group, but do not get stuck in a line moving at a pace that is not right for you. It is easy to get swept up going too fast or too slow, and this is only day one. Maintain composure and stay steady. People will get ahead of you. Let them. They will come back to you later.

Tips:

Fill in your water at the water stop
Take a filter in case there is water available on this section (some years there is).
Don’t get stuck in the wrong pace.

A group of trail runners navigating a dirt path in a mountainous landscape during late afternoon.

SECTION 3: LANE MOUNTAIN → CROWN KING

Getting to Lane Mountain will feel incredibly rewarding. Remind yourself you just got through ONE of the hardest sections. It’s all downhill from here! Just kidding, it isn’t, but it is for the next 4 miles. In 2025, by the time we reached Lane Mountain it was hailing and we were all still in our sun gear and freezing. It was pelting our skin and pretty miserable. We all huddled around the fire to get a bit of warmth before the downhill run to Crown King and our first chance to see crew.

At Crown King, take the time to change gear because you will likely be heading into the night. Get warm clothes and layers on. It can get very cold, and in 2025 the hail and rain continued throughout the night. I was grateful for rain gear to keep me as dry as possible.

When I arrived at this aid station I could not find my crew right away. Crown King is a cute little town and crews are spread all along the road waiting for their runners. The cheering from everyone will lift your spirits and make you want to linger, but do not spend too much time here. You have a long way to go.

Once I found my crew I got everything situated for the night ahead, including my first shoe size up of the race. I went from a 9 to a 9.5. Do not underestimate how much your feet will swell and size up before you think you need to. I also changed socks, touched up any tape that needed attention, and did a fresh round of lamb’s wool around the toes. Fresh socks and foot care are key to 200 mile success. The first section of Cocodona will eat up your feet with the sand and sliding, so take the time to remedy this at Crown King.

Fuel up and enjoy the fun food they have at this aid station before heading out. They always have a theme, great vibes, and volunteers who are ready to help.

Tips:

Foot care is essential. Take the time to clean your feet, put on at least fresh socks
Make sure to have layers and extra lights going into the night. Undoubtably a light will fail at some point.

A scenic view of mountains and hills under a partly cloudy sky, showcasing rocky terrain and sparse vegetation.

SECTION 4: CROWN KING → ARRASTRA CREEK

This section is long, dark, and relatively unremarkable. It is also where you might notice a few things starting to unravel. The sleep monsters might hit since this is typically your first night out. When that happens, eat. For me, I am usually a little hyponatremic in this section from the long first day of heavy water intake without enough electrolytes, so this is where I focus on rebalancing. Overall though, this is a pretty cruisable section and it is fun to settle into the nighttime zone.

SECTION 5: ARRASTRA CREEK → KAMP KIPA

THIS. THIS is the section I think is least talked about and in my opinion the hardest. Why? It is just a climb up to Kamp Kipa and it is not all terrible, but there is a 3 to 4 mile uphill stretch that is steep, rocky, and in 2025 was downright slippery. Not only that, but it is dark, cold, and lonely. At this point there typically are not a lot of people around you and you are conquering this hill alone, questioning every life decision that led you here.

For me, once I get through this section the course gets a lot easier. Not easy, but easier. That said, there are still some sneaky sections ahead. At Kamp Kipa, if the sleep monsters have a firm grip, this is a good place to rest. They have indoor bunks and everyone at the aid station is usually cold, tired, and blissfully quiet. Fuel up, get warm, and get out. You are heading to Prescott.

Tips:

Remember this section doesn’t last forever, after this it gets a bit easier for awhile.
Sleep if you need to.

SECTION 6: KAMP KIPA → CAMP WAMATOCHICK

Once you leave Kamp Kipa it is a cruisy, rolling downhill to a cute little camp area. You can practically smell Prescott from here, so I go in, fuel up quickly, and get out.

SECTION 7: CAMP WAMATOCHICK → WHISKEY ROW

This section feels like it takes forever. You wind through a forested area that makes you feel like you are going in circles, and you are so close to Prescott, so close to your crew, so close to picking up a pacer, and yet these 8 miles just drag. Then finally you hit the road and suddenly you are the fastest person on earth. Neighbors set up cute little tables offering water to runners and it is so sweet it almost makes you want to cry. You will want to sprint here because of the road. Hold back if you do not want to blow up at mile 77.

You are running into the charming town of Prescott and Whiskey Row. I texted my crew as I left the previous aid station, but heads up, reception is unreliable out there. Do not rely on your tracking device to alert your crew either. I kept texting updates as I got closer and closer.

I was a bit ahead of schedule so I unfortunately beat my crew there by a decent amount of time, cold and wet, sitting on the curb with nowhere to be. I grabbed some food and waited. Without my crew I could not touch up my feet or much else, so refueling was about all I could do.

Once they arrived I treated this as a big stop. I had been out in the night all night and extra time felt warranted. A lot of people sleep here. I was not ready for that, but I did change into dry clothes, still warm layers since it was cold and rainy and the sun was just starting to come up. I redid my feet completely, pulling off the old tape and starting fresh with new tape, wool, and socks. I also picked up my first pacer here, my friend Andrea, and together we headed out toward the streets and Granite Dells.

Tips:

Take extra time at Whiskey Row
Don’t go too fast out on the cement section here.
Take care of your feet!

Two women walking along a city sidewalk near shops, with an ATM sign visible and vehicles parked nearby.

SECTION 8: WHISKEY ROW → IRON KING

This section starts on pavement through the neighborhood streets of Prescott. What I love about it is that locals along the course leave out posters of encouragement, snacks, and water. My first year I did not take anything because I thought it would be against the rules, but RD Steve clarified this year that it does not count as out of aid crewing. Beyond the snacks, it is just fun to stop and chat with people and hear their stories about the front runners and how fast they are going. Also, every sign that says “good luck with your hike” is hilarious every single time.

After the road sections you hit the Granite Dells, best described as a granite obstacle course and maze. You follow white dots painted on the rocks to navigate the course. I cannot imagine doing this section at night and luckily I have never had to. My first year at Cocodona the Granite Dells were incredibly frustrating, but in 2025 I actually had a ton of fun with it. It helped that it was not as hot and I had Andrea there to make hunting for white dots feel like an adventure rather than a punishment. Eventually you pass a little waterfall, scramble over a few more granite climbs, and pop out onto a long bike path. This part is fast and fun. After all the ups and downs of the granite it finally feels like you can run again. In 2025 it started getting hot again here, and we were still dressed for hail and rain. Layers would have been smart in hindsight.

You finish this section by running past a dog park and into a small parking lot of vans ready to take care of you. I try to move through this stop fairly quickly since I just saw my crew 13 miles ago and the next section is short. That said, I did make one questionable call here. Convinced it was getting hot, I changed into warm weather gear. Spoiler alert: I was very wrong.

A hiker navigating rocky terrain with a joyful expression, wearing a black outfit and a backpack in a scenic outdoor landscape.

A person joyfully jumping on a dirt trail with rocky formations and greenery in the background under a cloudy sky.

SECTION 9: IRON KING → FAIN RANCH

I am not sure if I love this section or hate it. It is short and bumpy, and by bumpy I mean cow fields, which means lots of holes left behind by hooves. It is pretty flat though. One questionably fun highlight is climbing over ladders and barbed wire to cross cow gates. At 100 miles in, this is approached with a fair amount of apprehension about your ability to not get snagged and to descend the ladders with any remaining grace. Otherwise though, this section is fast.

In 2025, this is exactly why I regret changing into warm weather gear at the previous aid station. The moment we left it started hailing intensely and we were immediately freezing. Luckily it is a short section, but in 2025 it was also deeply muddy with a lot of slipping and sliding thrown in for good measure.

You run into Fain Ranch, which is a very fancy aid station with cute chairs, lots of food, and a fun sponsor setup. That said, you have only been out there for a few hours so this is a quick stop for me. I do anticipate potentially heading into the night during the next section though (in 2024 I did, in 2025 I managed to stay in daylight), and given the cold and rainy conditions in 2025 I used this stop to change into cold weather gear and rain gear.

Tips:

Make sure you have multiple lights and that you have tested them well before you think you need them. Some sections end up moving slower than you anticipate.

Two women posing together outdoors, both dressed in athletic gear. One woman is wearing a grey jacket and orange cap, while the other is in a black shirt with braids in her hair. They are smiling and holding a drink, with cloudy skies and a residential area in the background.

SECTION 10: FAIN RANCH → MINGUS MOUNTAIN CAMP

This section is not a favorite of many on the course. It starts with a tromp through cow fields. Miles of cow fields. In 2024 the grass was long and the course markings were incredibly hard to find. That was fixed in 2025, though there are still stretches where you will want your GAIA out and ready. The cow field trail follows along a highway, which gives you a little boost of energy from the honking and cheers. There are more cow gate ladders to traverse, and honestly it is still sort of fun. In 2025 this section was absolutely wild during the time I hit it, with intense rain, lightning, thunder, and so much mud it was dragging down my waterproof pants. Funny in hindsight, a trudge in the moment. The terrain keeps it from being very runnable.

Then you hit the Mingus climb. It is sort of relentless, but I sort of enjoy it, especially the views opening up around you. In 2024 I hit this section at night. In 2025 it was still daylight, which was much more enjoyable, though it was absolutely freezing up there. My pacer had refused to bring a jacket before we left, so I ended up handing over my rain jacket to keep her from turning into a popsicle. The climb feels like it goes on forever, but it does not, and when you reach the top you have earned another steep peak, which is quite satisfying.

This is where I first slept in 2025. In 2024, I did not and that was a mistake going into the next section.

Tips:

Make sure your pacer is prepared to take care of themselves. That includes a jacket.
This section starts flat but do not mistake flat for fast.
The next section is tough and long, make sure you are ready.

A hiker trekking along a muddy path in a grassy field, using trekking poles, with cloudy skies and distant mountains in the background.

SECTION 11: MINGUS MOUNTAIN CAMP → JEROME

Hands down my most complained about section of the entire race. This section sucks. You look at the elevation map and think, oh great, a long downhill! Yes, and baby head rocks everywhere. It is not a runnable section at all, unless you are a fan of broken ankles. In 2024 I hit this in the dark with no sleep going into night two. That was a mistake. The technical terrain combined with zero sleep and foggy thinking made it a miserable slog. I learned my lesson for 2025 and came into it at dusk with 90 minutes of sleep under my belt. That made it a lot more enjoyable, though still genuinely difficult. It is incredibly rocky, and in 2025 it was also incredibly muddy. Arizona mud is not like Oregon mud. It turns to almost clay and clings to your shoes like a punishment. Pounding your shoes on rocks every few minutes is the only way to get any reprieve from the added weight.

This is a long section, so be prepared. More importantly, it is a slow section, so be prepared for that too. Once you finally escape baby head rock hell you wind through the roads of Jerome, the cutest little ghost town you have ever seen. Jerome is the 2025 Real Housewives of Beverly Hills vacation destination and has a rich haunted history (the real kind, not housewives related). I am obsessed with this town and find it genuinely fascinating, though I do get a little annoyed winding through the streets trying to find the aid station. It always feels like it takes forever. Jerome is also where the Sedona Canyons 125 runners start their race, so from this point forward you may encounter very fresh, good smelling people who still have souls. The jealousy over their legs is real and valid.

Tips:

Plan on a long, slow section and pack extra nutrition accordingly.
Most people hit this in the dark so have backup lights ready.

Two smiling individuals wearing outdoor gear and headlamps stand next to a vehicle in a nighttime setting, surrounded by rain, ready for an adventure.

SECTION 12: JEROME → DEAD HORSE RANCH

If you think the downhill out of Jerome is going to be enjoyable, you are wrong. It is steep, rocky, and loose. There is also broken glass and debris along the edges, so be aware. You wind down these steep rocky descents and eventually hit a gravel trail running adjacent to the river and winding through tree covered areas, which is a welcome change of scenery.

Eventually you reach the Cocodona river crossing. The past two years I have tromped straight through, knowing the aid station is not far past the river and I can touch up my feet there. That said, after my experience at Southern States, if I do Cocodona again I will bring cast covers to keep my feet as dry as possible going in. Many people opt to take off their shoes entirely. I do not, mostly because I typically size up to a 10 at the next aid station anyway and treat myself to fresh, dry shoes. To each their own, but the river is quad deep so go in with a plan.

At Dead Horse Ranch, in 2024 this was my first nap stop. In 2025 I opted to get out quickly. I touched up my feet, shoved food in my face, and changed into hot weather gear because this is where the heat arrives and stays. Sunscreen, a sun hat, and neck coverage are non-negotiable here. I cannot speak highly enough of sun shirts.

Tips:

Protect your quads on the steep descent out of Jerome.
Bring cast covers for the river crossing or accept that you are getting wet.
Prepare at this aid station for heat. Sun hat, sun shirt, and sunscreen are not optional.

Two women enjoying snacks outdoors, one in a red shirt and the other in a green shirt, near a parked vehicle and tents in the background.

SECTION 13: DEAD HORSE RANCH → DEER PASS

This is definitely where things start to get a little blurry. You are likely on day three, it is hot, and emotions are running high. The fun part is chatting with all the fresh Sedona Canyons people. The not so fun part is if their race starts behind you, you will spend a lot of time jumping off the trail to let their fast runners through. You will say good job and they will not say it back and you will be pissed. Okay, maybe that is personal experience, but regardless, constantly stepping aside gets old fast. If you arrive at this section after their race has already started, consider yourself lucky because you are likely coming up behind them instead. You might also start passing some Mingus Traverse runners out here. Do not feel too bad for them. They get to finish soon.

Trail wise, this section is dusty, rocky, and pretty, but also pretty mundane. The aid station you are coming to is quick and easy but don’t get trapped waiting for the bathroom, it takes forever because you are sharing this aid station with the Sedona folks. And again, their crews will look at you with fear in their eyes cause you will look a little wrecked at this point.

Two runners on a dirt trail in a mountainous landscape, one wearing an orange top and the other in a green jacket and yellow cap.

SECTION 14: DEER PASS → SEDONA POSSE GROUNDS

This next section is pretty cool, even if I did cry about pandas somewhere in the middle of it. Remember, you are sleep deprived and emotions are high. The trail winds along ridges looking out over the magnificent Sedona landscape and is best experienced in daylight. In 2024 I hit it at night and missed the spectacular views entirely. In 2025 I came through in daylight and finished at dusk, and it was genuinely magical and distracting in the best possible way. There is a decent amount of climbing here, so take it in stride and remind yourself that this is arguably the prettiest section of the entire course.

The downside is that it feels like it takes forever. You will find yourself muttering swears about the aid station not existing and cursing out the race director by name. Once you finally hit the streets of downtown Sedona you know you are almost there. The pavement does not feel great at this point, but seeing human life is encouraging and a little surreal. Every driver passing you is absolutely looking at you like you are insane. I spent most of this stretch desperately scanning cars for dogs to pet. No luck.

You will pull into Sedona Posse Grounds, which is a significant aid station and generally buzzing with people either in crisis or horizontal on a cot. I chose to get in and out since there was still a bit of daylight left and I was feeling good. In 2024 this is where everything fell apart and I started struggling to breathe from smoke inhalation from a nearby controlled burn. The medics here are phenomenal and particularly great at foot care, but if you have been keeping up on that at your previous aid stations you hopefully will not need them.

A group of hikers trekking through a rocky, red landscape with shrubs and cacti, surrounded by mountains under a cloudy sky.

A scenic view of a road winding through green trees with red rock formations in the background under a blue sky.

SECTION 15: SEDONA POSSE GROUNDS → FOXBORO RANCH

I have so much to say about this section and so much hate in my heart for it. Most people actually enjoy it, unless they are scared of heights. I am not scared of heights. What I am scared of is moving at a glacial pace in the middle of a race because I cannot find white dots on rocks in the dark.

Let me back up. This section starts on the road and you run down toward Sedona for a decent stretch, so remember this section is long before you get to the fun part. You go under a bridge and join the trails of Sedona. It starts fine, a good forested climb up and up. Then you hit the Hangover Trail, and just like the Granite Dells in Prescott, you are hunting white dots on granite. Except now the stakes are higher. You are on overhangs, climbing hands and feet, with exposure on either side.

Because I hit this section at night, the dots were nearly impossible to find. I ended up following a group of Sedona runners up a hands and feet climb and we went too far and got stuck on a ledge. After about 15 minutes of trying to course correct, another group of Sedona runners talked us back down. It got genuinely scary and frustrating. I cried, not going to pretend otherwise. My pacer was exhausted and not making great decisions and that scared me more than the ledge did. Once we were down, our little group continued the maddening dance of hunting white dots, everyone cursing from frustration. It was incredibly slow moving and my pace goal for this section evaporated completely.

After you finally escape the Hangover Trail there is an atrocious climb waiting for you. Luckily I was furious, so I power hiked it with pure vengeance. There is a water station on this climb, but I was so mad I skipped it and just drank my tears instead.

After the absolute hell of this section (unless you are lucky enough to hit it in daylight), you reach a little forested aid station. The frustration had worn me out enough that I took a solid 90 minute nap. I also knew the next section would be pacer-less, so I wanted my wits about me. I woke up, got into my nighttime gear, double checked my lights, and headed into the dark alone.

Tips:

If you have any control over your timing, try to hit Hangover Trail in daylight.
Do not blindly follow other runners onto a ledge.
This section can get genuinely scary. Take it seriously.
The next section is longer and you will be alone, so leave this aid station prepared.

SECTION 16: FOXBORO RANCH → MUNDS PARK

Miles 177.4 to 193.4 | 16.0 miles | +1,423′ / -1,269′ Cutoff: 2:45 AM Fri 5/9 | CREW ACCESS | PACER ACC

No pacer for this one. I was rested, loaded up with murder podcasts, and ready to hit the trail. It was still dark and I knew I was going to pass through some freeway underpasses, so getting appropriately riled up felt like the right call.

In 2025 this section was incredibly muddy, and as I mentioned before, Arizona mud is not like Oregon mud. It turns to clay and clings aggressively to your shoes. So despite feeling good and moving with some efficiency, every few minutes I was hunting for a rock to scrape my shoes on with little success. Otherwise this section cruises by with rolling terrain and is relatively forgiving.

It pops out into a cute little town, and one of the highlights of my entire race happened here. At dawn, running into the city, a woman runner emerged from someone’s front yard wrapped in a silver blanket and looking absolutely destroyed. I laughed out loud imagining what this quiet little town must think as wrecked ultrarunners drift through and occasionally pass out in their yards. Eventually you land in a huge parking lot full of crew vans.

I moved efficiently enough to catch my crew completely off guard by showing up earlier than expected. A quick change into daytime clothes and I was ready to go. The zinc sunscreen layer was thick. Aggressively thick. I was somehow still getting burnt through everything and was not taking any more chances. A humiliating sun hat is non-negotiable here. It is hot and the next section is exposed.

Tips:

Pile on the sunscreen leaving this section. Sun shirt and hat are not optional.
Do not forget to touch up your feet.

Two athletes posing together in outdoor gear, with a blue sky and trees in the background. One is wearing a bright green hat and a long sleeve shirt, while the other is in a blue shirt and green shorts.

SECTION 17: MUNDS PARK → KELLY CANYON

This is another section I do not rave about when talking about Cocodona. It is mind numbing. Winding pine needle covered trails that remind me a little of my hometown trails in Oregon, but drier and with less interesting views. You do get to see Sedona runners on and off throughout, so if social interaction is a stimulator for you, this is a good section to go make some friends.

My favorite story from this entire race happened here. I passed a Sedona runner and their pacer, then immediately fell directly in front of them, because you cannot fall unless it is in front of strangers. I got up, let them pass so I could brush myself off while laughing at how spectacularly dusty and dirty I had become. Then we caught them again and I politely asked to pass, reassuring them I would not fall this time. I then proceeded to immediately superman directly in front of them again. Laughing with pure delirium and embarrassment, I did not immediately realize I had landed in a pile of ants. My pacer grabbed my pack and hauled me up and I laughed for about a mile.

There is an aid station within this section with no crew access. I was a little low on electrolytes at this point due to mouth sores, so I put my feet up to let the swelling down and chatted with my new Sedona pals.

Eventually you hit the full aid station, which is a large building full of amenities. I had seen people getting massages the year before and had been jealous ever since, so I immediately asked for the massage team. I told them about my swollen feet and four incredible women surrounded me doing lymphatic drainage on my legs while telling me how amazing I was. It was truly a highlight of the race. I ended up finding them again after I finished just to give them a hug.

You will have to pass a cognitive exam here. The questions are straightforward and you should be able to answer them. I was feeling great after my massage and pep talk and ready to nail it. However, my crew captain kept answering the questions for me, which eventually led the medics to ask if she needed the cognitive exam and to please let me respond. I passed, shoved a pile of pasta in my face, and braced myself for one of my most feared sections.

Close-up view of muddy legs and shoes, showing dirt stains on the skin and colorful socks in a natural setting.

SECTION 19: FORT TUTHILL → WALNUT CANYON

We are back to a no pacer section. In 2024 the rules allowed pacers here, and this is where my soul basically left my body. A quick time travel back to 2024: I was struggling with smoke inhalation like many runners out there. I could not get air in and my crew did not realize just how bad it was until we were already out on course. I also had not slept enough and could not stay awake. Mix that with 20 degree temperatures at night and a very long section and it was genuinely horrible. I hallucinated a lot and did not think I was going to make it.

Back to 2025. I was incredibly anxious going into this section because of the previous year, but I felt good and it was still solidly daylight, even if this time I would be alone. I was over murder podcasts at this point and wanted music, so I cued up my running playlist and started blasting tunes in one earbud (always keep one ear open so you know what is going on around you). I noticed a message on my phone from my friend Chantelle: “you are in 11th place, 10th place female is 5 miles ahead of you and you can catch her.” Tempt me with a good time. I had no placement goals going in since this race is filled with phenomenal runners and 200 miles can break you in ways that are impossible to explain, but I am also very competitive, so I said alright, let’s go.

Throughout this section I cruised and checked in with Chantelle every few miles. Slowly, I was catching her. The tracker is not always reliable though, and with about a mile left to the aid station Chantelle reported that we would likely arrive at the same time.

I cruised into the aid station and told my crew what was happening. It had just turned dark so I quickly changed, threw on my pack, grabbed my pacer, and said we have to go.

SECTION 20: WALNUT CANYON → WILDCAT HILL

We hustled. We hustled this entire section. It is a quick, flat stretch and it was dark, so I could not tell you much about what was out there other than I wanted to move fast. Something must have happened with the trackers loading weird because by the time I made it to Wildcat Hill, the aid station at the base of Mount Elden, my crew told me I was in 11th and there was no way to catch 10th. So I said okay, fine, that was a fun little kick in the pants, and now I have a mountain to climb.

A man and a woman standing together at night, both dressed in athletic gear. The man has a headlamp and holds a water bottle, while the woman is holding trekking poles. They are in front of a tent with various items on a table in the background.

SECTION 21: WILDCAT HILL → TRINITY HEIGHTS

Miles 237.3 to 252.6 | 15.3 miles | +3,386′ / -3,055′ Cutoff: 8:15 AM Sat 5/10 | No crew | No drop bags

In 2024 we climbed the other side of Elden, which is arguably steeper but shorter. This side, in my opinion, is much worse. It is a long climb. They describe it as runnable grade. At over 200 miles in, it is not. It is long, steep, and we hit it in the dark. Because I had chosen to skip my last planned nap trying to catch 10th place, I went into this climb a little sleepy but very much smelling the finish.

As we climbed, the sleep monsters started taking over. Eventually another runner caught up to us and we chatted for a bit, which kept me awake long enough to get within a mile or so of the summit before I was stumbling badly enough that my pacer and I agreed a quick trail nap was necessary. Fifteen minutes later I was up and moving. The summit still felt impossibly far away. I could see the towers at the top as the sun began to rise and knew this particular hell was almost over. Reaching the summit, I remembered from listening to the live stream during the race that the descent down the Elden side we had climbed the year before was hitting runners hard. I knew what was waiting for us: large boulder steps all the way down.

The sun was officially up and I was still in my nighttime clothes, which meant it was hot. I tried to layer down but had not planned perfectly for this transition. As we descended, my pacer got quieter and we both carefully worked our way down, holding back swear words and screams of frustration at the slow, grinding steps.

Your quads are pretty well destroyed at this point in the race and every step is careful and calculated. I would guess we were moving around 45 minutes per mile on that descent. We were almost to the bottom, the terrain finally starting to ease up, when I heard a piercing scream from behind me. I turned to find my pacer clutching his knee in agony. He had dislocated his knee. I, for one, did not even know that was something you could do on a trail run. Spoiler alert: you can. He was nearly immobile but trying to limp around, and I knew I needed to get him to a medic. Luckily we were in Flagstaff and not the middle of nowhere. I called my crew waiting at the finish line and they sent the medic team to come get him. I felt awful as I helped get him to the trailhead and out to the road to be picked up.

It was at that moment that he looked at his phone and said: “I just got a text. You are in 10th. 11th is less than a mile behind you. You have to go.” I did not want to leave him, but he assured me he was safe and just waiting for the medics. So I took off.

And by took off I mean you would have thought I had not just run 250 miles. I ran as hard as I could to the final aid station, calling my friend back home the entire way for live updates on where 11th place was.

Tips:

The climb up Elden is long and slow, but the descent is slower. Take your time and watch every step.
Be prepared for dramatic temperature swings. It is very cold at the top and there is often snow, but it heats up fast as you come down.

A panoramic view of a mountainous landscape during sunset, featuring a dead tree in the foreground, rolling hills in the background, and a clear blue sky transitioning to orange hues near the horizon.

SECTION 22: TRINITY HEIGHTS → FINISH

Miles 252.6 to 256.5 | 3.9 miles Finish cutoff: 10:00 AM Sat 5/10 | Heritage Square, downtown Flagstaff

I would hardly call what I did at Trinity Heights a stop. I came through, filled my soft flask because I was hot and thirsty, and took off in my continued sprint to the finish. In my head, 11th place was right on my heels running five minute miles. This was not reality, but reality does not exist at 250 miles. I sprinted along listening to the livestream where they announced 9th place crossing the line and mentioned that 10th and 11th were both currently at Trinity Heights. I was confused. I was a mile past the aid station. I called my friend for clarification. They had just missed me coming through. Phew. Did I not exist? I genuinely did not know at this point. What I did know was that I had a decent lead on 11th and about a mile of road between me and the finish line. My reptilian brain could not process any of this rationally and I continued sprinting down the streets, passing a few runners who looked at me like I had lost my mind. I imagined them thinking, girl, we are almost to the finish, please calm down.

I came down into the charming streets of Flagstaff and spotted my two kids waiting about half a mile from the finish. I grabbed them in a big hug and immediately asked if anyone was behind me. My very competitive son looked back and said yes. He was seeing the two guys I had passed on the street, now walking in the distance. Not quite what I meant, but I did not fully understand that in the moment. I said okay, we have to go. We grabbed hands and started running. The Sedona 125 runners intersected us as we turned onto the final road to the finish. I jumped around a Sedona runner and headed down the final street and into the famous left turn into Heritage Square, where I crossed the finish line of 256 miles hand in hand with my kids.

At the end I was surrounded by my crew, my husband, and race director Steve waiting with my gorgeous belt buckle. My official time was 99:45, good for 10th place female and an almost seven hour PR from the previous year. So much more satisfying and enjoyable in every way. What made 2025 truly special was going in feeling good, the vibes this race always delivers, my incredible crew and pacers, and the entire volunteer team out there making it all happen.

Cocodona is a special race. I am not sure I can fully put it into words other than to say it is the only race I want to do again. The only one I want to come back to time and time again. There is something about the energy and excitement that runs through the entire event. Even crewing and pacing is a special way to experience it, and I cannot recommend it enough.

Tips:

Enjoy the moments as best you can.
Have your crew and pacers write down the ridiculous things you say out there. It is hilarious to look back on.
Thank every single volunteer.
Get your crew and pacers something thoughtful to thank them for their time and energy.
Take every obstacle as a learning experience.
Remember that everyone out there is tackling the same miles and their own very different demons.

A woman in athletic gear crosses the finish line of the Cocodona 250 event, flanked by two children. The scene includes banners and a digital timer displaying 49:50:07.

A group of four smiling people posing under a colorful event banner that reads 'Cocodona 250 Adventure Awaits' in a sunny outdoor setting.

A smiling woman with braided hair wearing a red athletic shirt and a black running vest, holding a medal in front of a dark background.