Next group run

Evening (typically around sunset, check weekly)

Days
Wednesday
Frequency
Weekly
Seasonality
Year-round, evening to match sunset; check Facebook for updates

About This Club

Aravaipa Group Runs is a free weekly trail run held every Wednesday evening at rotating mountain parks around the Phoenix valley. It draws a big crowd, 50 to 100 people most weeks, and is set up with three separate pace groups so it works whether you're new to trails or want to move fast. It's tied to Aravaipa Running's event scene, so there's a built-in social layer if you're into that world.

Highlights

  • Rotating valley locations
  • Large attendance (50-100 weekly)
  • Tied to Aravaipa Running events
  • Free runs
  • Pace groups
  • Social events
  • Part of race community

Who It Suits

This suits trail beginners through fast trail runners, since the three-tier pace split means there's a lane for a wide range of speeds, and the free, no-membership setup makes it easy to just show up. It's not built for road runners looking for pavement, for anyone training for long-distance mileage beyond the 7-mile top end, or for dogs or strollers, none of those fit the format here.

Free race emails

Get the Weekly RunSesh

Found your people? Now find the races. A Monday look ahead and a Thursday rundown of what's coming up near Phoenix, so your crew always has a start line on the calendar.

Two helpful emails per week. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

What a Run With Them Is Like

You'll pick one of three pace groups going in: Fun (3.5 miles, with frequent stops), Mid (4 to 4.5 miles), or Fast (5.5 to 7 miles). It's all on trail, and the run itself takes about an hour. Because the location rotates weekly around different mountain parks, the terrain underfoot changes run to run, so check the Facebook post for that week's spot rather than assuming it's the same place as last time.

Distance3.5 miles, 4-4.5 miles, 5.5-7 miles
PaceThree pace groups: Fun (frequent stops), Middle, Fast; all abilities welcome
TerrainTrail
Post-runSocial afterward at local spots

Your First Run

Join the Aravaipa Group Trail Run Facebook group first, that's where the week's location gets posted, and check it before you head out since the spot changes. Get there early for check-in, then just pick the pace group that matches how you want to run that day, Fun if you want a slower pace with regular stops, Mid or Fast if you want more distance and less stopping.

Because there's a Fun group built specifically around frequent stops and all abilities are welcome, you won't be the slowest person forcing everyone to wait, that group exists for exactly that pace. If you're running toward sunset, bring a headlamp since it can get dark before you're done.