2026 Arizona Gravel Championship: A One-Day State Title Race in Douglas, Arizona
In 2026, Arizona gravel racing will add something it has never had before: a true, standalone state championship.
The Arizona Gravel Championship will be contested as a single-day event in the borderlands of southeastern Arizona, hosted and produced by BorderLands Gravel. No points. No series math. No accumulation across multiple races. One day. One course. One set of champions.
That structure is intentional. It mirrors how Arizona crowns state champions in road, criterium, mountain bike, time trial, and other cycling disciplines. Show up. Race. Titles are decided on the day.
For gravel, that day arrives on November 14, 2026.
Why a One-Day Championship Matters
Gravel racing has grown fast in Arizona, but growth alone does not define a championship. A state title needs clarity, fairness, and a level playing field.
This event stands on its own. It is not tied to any gravel series and does not pull results from other races. Everyone lines up with the same opportunity, on the same course, under the same conditions.
No license is required. Riders simply register, pin on a number, and race. That openness reflects the spirit gravel was built on while still offering something rare: a clearly defined state championship.
The Setting: Arizona’s Borderlands
The championship will take place in Douglas, Arizona, sitting just under 4,000 feet at the edge of the Arizona-Mexico borderlands.
This is not a backdrop chosen at random. The region offers miles of true gravel, big horizons, and a sense of remoteness that demands respect from riders. The courses follow historic corridors like the Geronimo Trail, passing near places such as the San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge and the John Slaughter Ranch.
It is terrain that rewards preparation, patience, and good decision-making. In other words, a fitting place to decide state champions.
Courses and Championships
The Arizona Gravel Championship will be contested across two distances, each with a specific purpose.
Long Course
Capped at 150 riders
Hosts all standard adult championship categories
Championship age groups on the Long Course include:
Men
20 to 29
30 to 39
40 to 49
50 to 59
60 to 69
70 plus
Women
20 to 29
30 to 39
40 to 49
50 plus
Each category will crown an Arizona Gravel Champion.
Medium Course
No field limit
Hosts Under 20 championship categories
Both male and female Under 20 riders will race the Medium Course to be eligible for U20 Arizona Gravel Champion titles. U20 riders receive a 50 percent discount on registration.
This separation is designed to prioritize safety, fairness, and development while still offering young riders a legitimate path to a state title.
12 Age Groups Will Be Awarded
10 on the long course (6 male and 4 female)
2 on the medium course (U20 male and female)
Registration and the Early Push
Registration is already open, and timing matters.
For riders serious about racing for a state title, early commitment matters. Fields are limited. Once the Long Course is full, it is full.
Built With Intention
The Arizona Gravel Championship is not about stacking logos or inflating prestige. It is about doing something clearly and doing it well.
BorderLands Gravel has spent years building relationships across Douglas, Cochise County, and the surrounding borderlands. That includes coordination with land managers, city leaders, emergency services, and local businesses.
Gravel racing often talks about community. This championship is built within one.
One Day. One Title. No Asterisks.
When the dust settles in Douglas, Arizona’s gravel champions will be clear.
For those who believe gravel deserves a championship that reflects the discipline’s roots and its future, the 2026 Arizona Gravel Championship is that moment.
Registration is open. The clock is already ticking.
