Last week a large crew of bikepackesrs took on the Arizona Trail Race, a race that has both a 300 mile option and a 750 mile border to border option. It’s a stunning route in many regards, but some will say it is one of the more challenging bikepacking events out there – no matter what the distance. This year was a bit different in that more riders lined up to go all the way to the border than they did for the 300 mile version, which has never happened in the past. I traveled the length of the race and took a visual account of what the racers were going through.
Arizona Trail RaceRiders gather at the Mexico/Arizona border south of Sierra Vista, minutes before the start of the 2016 Arizona Trail 750 mile bike race.
Arizona Trail RaceThe lead pack of the 750 on their way into the revered Canelo hills.
Arizona Trail RaceRiders of the AZT 300 mile race listen intently as event organizer Scott Morris gives few final words of course info.
 Arizona Trail RaceElliot DuMont of Tucson, AZ displays proper bikepacking race attire. Wear tutu, ride faster.
 Arizona Trail RaceKicking off the AZT 300 near Parker Canyon Lake.
Arizona Trail RaceBeth Shaner on her way to a 3rd place finish in the 300.
Arizona Trail RaceNeil “The Belt” Beltchenko and his rig heading towards Tucson.
Arizona Trail RaceUltrarunner Joe Grant riding his handmade hardtail Reeb Dikyelous.
Arizona Trail RaceCalvin Decker throwing out the shocka, in good spirits.
Arizona Trail RaceKaitlyn Boyle leads the women in the early stages of the 750 miler.
Arizona Trail RaceTracey Petervary all high fives and smiles on her Salsa. Tracey would win the 300 mile version for the women.
Arizona Trail RaceSarah Jansen walked her bike 30 miles into Payson after a broken crank, waited for a new one to be sent to her for repair and continued on to finish the 2016 AZT 750 and will be the first woman to touch the Utah border in 2016.
Arizona Trail RaceItalian Maurizio Doro with Race Organizer Scott Morris.
Arizona Trail RaceA lone rider hikes his bike up the rolling Catalina Foothills in Tucson, Arizona.
Arizona Trail RaceRedington Pass proved to be a difficult warm up right before the 22 mile climb to summit Mount Lemmon.
Arizona Trail RaceNeil Stitzer hikes his bike up switch backs before descending into Molino Basin.
Arizona Trail RaceThe finish is why the suffering is worth enduring. 
Arizona Trail RaceNeil Beltchenko on his way to crush the 6 year old course record set by Kurt Refsnider in 2010. Finishing the 750 mile course in a blazing 6 days and 12 hours.
Arizona Trail RaceAZT bliss.
Arizona Trail RaceRiding into the night below the San Francisco Peaks in Flagstaff.
Arizona Trail RaceA well earned beer at the finish, Joe Grant takes a seat after taking second in 7 days and 12 hours (3rd fastest time for the AZT 750).

Arizona Trail 300 Results

2016

Neil Beltchenko – 2:05:38 Neil Stitzer – 2:06:25 Hunter Keating – 2:07:00 Alex Harris – 2:09:18 Pete Basinger – 2:11:20 Joe Grant – 2:12:30 Adam Marcinkiewicz – 2:17:43 Sam Aspacher – 3:01:34 Nick Woodland – 3:02:16 Maurizio Doro – 3:03:10 Adam Haughey – 3:04:57 T-Race Petervary – 3:05:41 Mike Prochaska – 3:07:16 Barry Ritchey – 3:07:17 Mike Barklow – 3:07:39 Jason Wolf – 3:09:12 Paul Kruger – 3:10:11 Matthew Mueller – 3:11:56 Jason Hanson – 3:13:24 Sarah Jansen – 3:16:29 Mike Haas – 3:16:36 Dave Wicks – 3:17:54 Beth Shaner – 3:18:17 Paul Spencer – 3:18:35 Todd Denham – 3:22:36 John Schilling – 4:01:37 Brad Mattingly – 4:02:38 Rod Taprider Dagneau – 4:03:35 Erik Aune – 4:03:59 Clint Conner – 4:04:10 Brett Stepanik – 4:04:11 Cedric Vivanco – 4:04:37 Riley Barclay – 4:06:50 Jeff Brooks – 4:07:16 Katharina Merchant – 4:09:27 Shannon Marshall – 4:09:28 Brian DeBlanc – 4:09:51 George Harris – 4:14:01 Dave Kirk – 4:22:48 Ron Thomson – 5:10:15 Casey Johnson – 5:11:10 JC Cullen – 5:16:47 Sara Dallman – 5:17:55 Ian MacNab – 6:04:43 Don Stump – 6:19:10 Jack Mahler – 9:13:20 ITTs: Randy Sooter (03/06/16) – 3:12:29 Scratches: Elliot DuMont, Jeff Poitras, Jerry Quesnel, Kurt Refsnider, Leo Aceves, Mark Seaburg, Tom Wolf, Derrick Perrin, Alexis Ault, Amanda Demler

Arizona Trail Race (750) Results

2016

Neil Beltchenko – 6:12:28 Joe Grant – 7:12:12 Maurizio Doro – 8:08:38 Sam Aspacher – 8:08:38 Mike Barklow – 9:02:11 Mike Prochaska – 9:05:10 Jason Wolf – 9:09:39 Rod Taprider Dagneau – 10:05:27 Jason Hanson – 10:05:53 Dave Wicks – 10:08:14 Riley Barclay – 11:08:20 Brett Stepanik – 11:08:21 Paul Spencer – 11:08:27 ITT: Cjell Mone'(03/28/16) – 9:00:13

15 Comments

  1. Pingback: AZTR, work-in-progress | jansenaztr750

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *