AZT Vail Scramble

AZT Vail Scramble is a Southern Arizona trail race offering three distances: marathon, half-marathon, and 10K. The longer races run point-to-point through the valley between the Santa Rita and Rincon Mountains. School buses transport runners to their start lines and return them from the finish area. All participants park at Vail School District, with all three races concluding at the Gabe Zimmerman Trailhead on the Arizona Trail. The marathon begins south of Vail, incorporating a short dirt road section in the initial mile before following the AZT north. This route features repeated climbs and descents along the Santa Rita foothills. The half-marathon commences after a 0.3-mile dirt road segment, and the 10K starts near Sahuarita Road and Highway 83, merging with the final 6.2 miles of the marathon course. The half-marathon and 10K consist primarily of gradual, winding descents through ocotillo, prickly pear cactus, creosote, and mesquite. Proceeds benefit the Arizona Trail Association. The race is cupless; aid stations offer water and Skratch Labs hydration from 5-gallon containers, requiring runners to bring their own bottle, hydration pack, or collapsible cup.