MULTIDAYRUNNING
🌙 48-HourBeginner Friendly

Across the Years

A legendary multi-day running festival spanning New Year's Eve. Offers 6-hour to 6-day fixed-time races plus fixed-distance options. Organized by Aravaipa Running.

Official WebsiteBack to Events

Event dates, entry rules, qualification standards, and course details can change. Always verify current information on the official event website before registering or booking travel.

Event Overview

DateDec 28, 2026 - Jan 3, 2027
Location🇺🇸 Peoria, Arizona, USA
Format48-Hour, 24-Hour, 6-Day
TerrainRoad
RegionNorth America
CutoffEvent options include 6-hour, 12-hour, 24-hour, 48-hour, 72-hour, 6-day, and fixed-distance races.
StartMost listed events use a 9:00 AM start; exact start depends on selected distance or duration.
HighlightsNew Year's Tradition, 6h to 6-Day Options

Course & Terrain

Looped fixed-time and fixed-distance festival at Peoria Sports Complex.

Key course features to know before comparing this race:

  • New Year's fixed-time ultrarunning tradition
  • Multiple start dates across the December 28 to January 3 event window
  • 200 mile, 100 mile, 100 km, 6-day, 72-hour, 48-hour, 24-hour, 12-hour, and 6-hour options

A short road loop makes the event approachable, but the repetitive surface and winter desert air still require foot-care and layering plans.

Phoenix-area winter weather is generally runnable, but desert nights can be much cooler than daytime conditions.

Entry & Logistics

RegistrationRegistration is handled through Aravaipa Running.
Support modelAravaipa festival format with repeated loop access to aid, timing, crew areas, and New Year's race infrastructure.
Logistics noteBecause events overlap across several days, runners should verify their exact start date, check-in schedule, and parking or crew setup for their chosen race.

Why This Race Matters

Across the Years is a useful reference point for runners comparing 48-hour events. Its format, terrain, and support model shape the kind of preparation required: not just fitness, but pacing discipline, nutrition planning, foot care, and the ability to make good decisions under fatigue.

Best Fit

  • Runners who want a looped fixed-time festival with many duration choices
  • First-time multiday runners choosing a controlled setting
  • Athletes targeting holiday-period mileage goals

Planning Notes

  • Build your plan around hourly distance targets, not moment-to-moment pace. In 24-hour races, controlled walking and quick aid stops usually beat early speed.
  • Plan at least one sleep strategy before race week. A 48-hour race usually turns on how well you manage the second night.
  • Treat sleep, foot care, and daily rhythm as performance variables. Six-day races are won by sustainable systems more than single heroic pushes.
  • Flat, repetitive surfaces make pacing simple but increase repetitive-load stress. Rotate shoes and schedule foot checks before problems become visible.
  • This event is marked beginner-friendly in the directory, but first-timers should still verify cutoffs, support rules, and crew access on the official site.
  • Start dates differ by race distance and duration
  • The 6-day and fixed-distance options require a different sleep plan than the 24-hour or 48-hour races
  • Loop comfort can hide repetitive-stress problems until late in the event

Event FAQs

What race formats does Across the Years include?

Across the Years includes fixed-time options from 6 hours through 6 days, plus fixed-distance options such as 100 km, 100 miles, and 200 miles.

Is Across the Years beginner-friendly?

Yes for the shorter fixed-time options, because the looped festival format is controlled and well supported. The longer options still require serious multiday preparation.

Sources

  1. Official Across the Years page — https://www.aravaiparunning.com/across-the-years/
  2. Multiday Running event directory data, last reviewed June 2026.