When we say BorderLands Gravel is built on community, we mean it. From the riders and volunteers to the local families cheering along the route, this race is powered by people. That’s why we’re rolling out a brand-new referral program, so the folks already signed up can spread the word and get rewarded for it.

We’re excited to announce a brand-new twist to the 2025 BorderLands Gravel experience. One that brings a bit of strategy, camaraderie, and friendly competition into the mix. For the first time ever, riders will have the chance to compete not just as individuals, but as part of a team.

The new Team Competition isn’t just focused on podiums or times. It’s a chance to ride alongside friends, test your limits together, and build memories that go well beyond the finish line. The team component brings a new dimension to the adventure that defines BorderLands Gravel.

When riders line up at the start of BorderLands Gravel this November, they’ll be racing through more than just desert terrain. They’ll be pedaling through the economic heartbeat of Douglas, Arizona.

Outdoor recreation is big business, especially in Arizona. In 2023, outdoor adventurers pumped over $21 billion into the state’s economy, supporting over 200,000 jobs and generating $1.4 billion in state and local tax revenue. It’s no exaggeration to say that every ride matters.

You don’t show up to the Arizona borderlands hoping to “wing it.” The terrain out here is raw, wild, and beautiful. And it demands respect. Long climbs, relentless sun, and sweeping high desert views. Whether you’re racing 39, 65, or 94 miles, you’re going to need more than just grit. You’ll need a plan.

That’s why we’ve teamed up with Jason Tullous of Tenac Championship Coaching to develop three free training plans tailored for each BorderLands Gravel course: Short (39 miles), Medium (65 miles), and Long (94 miles).

Every great adventure deserves a greater purpose.

At BorderLands Gravel, we’re all about the ride. But we’re just as passionate about the land beneath our tires. The desert isn’t just a backdrop for a race. It’s a living, breathing ecosystem shaped by centuries of human history and wild beauty. That’s why we’re proud to introduce a new way for this year’s riders to give back.

When people talk about gravel races, they usually focus on the course. The climbs, the mileage, the gear. But what makes BorderLands Gravel special isn’t just the race. It’s where it happens.

Douglas, Arizona, isn’t just a place you pass through. It’s a place you launch from. It’s the beginning of something ... remote rides, historic landmarks, and desert wildness in every direction.

There’s something about gravel racing that draws people in. It’s part grit, part adventure, and part community celebration. But if you’re new to it, especially if you’ve never lined up at the start line of any race before, it can feel like a lot. The gear. The training. The distance. The questions like, “Am I even ready for this?”

Take a breath. You’re not alone. And you’re more capable than you think.

When you line up at the start line in Douglas, Arizona, it might feel like any other gravel race, until you look around. The historic architecture. The wide desert sky. The quiet hum of a border town that holds stories older than the pavement. This is Douglas: a place often overlooked but unforgettable once experienced. And for many who ride BorderLands Gravel, this isn’t just a race, it’s their introduction to a place that’s just beginning to be seen.

Every rider who lines up at BorderLands Gravel owes their experience to one thing: the volunteers. Before the first tire hits the gravel and long after the last rider rolls through the finish, our crew of dedicated volunteers is hard at work—marking the course, setting up aid stations, keeping the day running smoothly, and cheering on racers from start to finish.

As we gear up for the 2025 edition of BorderLands Gravel (Nov. 15), we’re putting the call out early: we need your help. Whether you’re a longtime event volunteer or just gravel-curious and looking to get involved, there’s a spot for you on the team.

There’s something unforgettable about riding through Douglas, Arizona. The air feels different here. Maybe it’s the elevation. Maybe it’s the wide-open sky. But more likely, it’s the sense that every pedal stroke pushes through layers of history—and across an invisible but powerful cultural thread that ties the U.S. to Mexico.

BorderLands Gravel isn’t just a race. It’s an invitation into the shared story of two towns—Douglas, Arizona and Agua Prieta, Sonora—divided by a wall but joined by a legacy far deeper than politics or geography.

Welcome to Douglas, Arizona—heart of Cochise County and the rugged international borderlands.

You’re about to ride the Geronimo Trail (GTR)—a Cochise County primitive road—where the gravel lives up to the name:

Grava de Clase Mundial. This is world-class terrain. Raw. Remote. And unforgettable.

You won’t find cheering crowds or confetti cannons out here. What you will find is dust on your legs, wind in your face, and a silence so complete it hums.

This is Douglas, Arizona—where the pavement ends and something unexpected begins.