Prickly Pedal Trail Race

Prickly Pedal Trail Race takes place in Peoria, Arizona, on January 31, 2027, and is part of the Aravaipa family of events. The run offers a single format, a 10-mile (16.1 km) trail race that starts at 8:00 a.m. The one-distance setup keeps the morning simple and the event over before the desert heat builds.

Ten miles is a sweet spot for runners who want more than a 10K but are not ready for a trail half marathon. It suits road runners curious about dirt, anyone using a winter race to keep motivation high, and experienced trail runners looking for a fast effort. Six to eight weeks of consistent running with a weekly long run of 8 to 10 miles on trails, plus a couple of hill sessions, is sufficient preparation. Because the distance is short enough to push, practice running at goal effort on uneven ground so your legs are used to the pace when the terrain gets rocky.