desert twilight

Friday Night, 25 September 2026

Desert Twilight was a great race and a great measure of where we are and what we need to do to achieve our goals. There were over 200 teams and 6,500 runners. Running in that atmosphere under the lights was exciting.

The times were not as fast as we or other runners and teams expected. This seemed to be a combination of the normal heat with higher than normal humidity. Sweat was pouring off the runners following the races. The heat and humidity were certainly a bigger challenge for us than every other team there because of our normal low temperatures and humidity at 9,000+ feet. This offset a good deal of the time improvement we expected from dropping down almost 8,000 feet in elevation.

The tables below give insight to individual race performances. The delta to your previous race times at Liberty Bell and Eagle Valley (𝚫 LB, 𝚫 EV) help show the relative performances at each.

We should start with Sten, who had the unique experience of being our first racer at 5:00, and the only one racing in the sun. Sten ran fantastically. He was in 15th place at the mile. I shouted out that he could move up, and he immediately moved up into seventh place. He held that well past two miles and held on for 10th place in the small school freshman class. Sten was the first of our four runners to receive individual awards. He ran a huge 74‑second PR.

Both the boys and girls were selected for the most competitive race, the sweepstakes division. Both honored the selection.

Girls

The girls raced extremely well. All of them ran far faster than at Eagle Valley, much more than the altitude adjustment alone would have predicted.

Three girls even ran faster than the Liberty Bell. Kayla ran a patient race. She moved up considerably during the race, ultimately finishing in a fantastic third place overall. Lily had a fantastic race, significantly faster than Eagle Valley and even 36 seconds faster than NXR last year. Lucia also clearly had a fantastic race, likewise being faster than at Liberty Bell, Eagle Valley, and NXR. Lucy Taylor also had a season best, but in her case, being a freshman, it was also a new personal best.

Boys

The boys' 14th place finish is Prima Fascia disappointing. Based on that placement alone, it wouldn't appear we are strong contenders to win state, much less qualify for NXN. However, the Ryans didn't race. Put them into our results with expected finish times, and it's safe to say we would have placed at minimum sixth place or better.

Jay raced superbly in only his second outing of the season. It was a great experience for him and one that will be helpful for him as well as all of our racers in the important races ahead. He ran a full one minute and 10 seconds faster than at Eagle Valley and was only seven seconds slower than NXR last year, despite what most people feel were slower conditions at Desert Twilight than NXR last November. Lukas also had a fantastic race, being 49 seconds faster than Eagle Valley and 10 seconds faster than NXR. Crosby, Cooper, Josh, and John all had very good races, doing significantly better than at Eagle Valley. Crosby, Cooper, and Josh actually ran faster than at Liberty Bell. For Josh, that meant a new PB.

Splits and placings at the mile, two mile and finish (3.1).

Photos

Finish line photos below. See more and upload your own on our Google Drive folder.

Some of the strong teams that are attending:

Mira Costa, CA
Heritage
Coronado
Durango
Loveland
Fort Colins
Niwot
Highland, AZ
Johnson Ferry, GA
Skyline, ID
Los Alamos, NM
St. Pius X, NM
Rio Rancho, NM
Boise, ID
Mountain View, UT
Timpanagos, UT

Pre-Race Press - Desert Twilight Set To Showcase Top Talent

DYESTAT SHORTS - OLIVER HORTON & YOHANES VAN MEERTEN - DESERT TWILIGHT XC FESTIVAL 2026

Live Results - https://results.wingfootfinish.com/meets/77664

2026 Desert Twilight

WHEN: Friday evening, 25 September

WHERE: Toka Sticks Golf Club, 6910 East Williams Field Rd, Mesa, AZ 85212

MEET WEBSITE: Click here

PARKING: No event parking at Golf Course. Parking will be in various paid lots east of course. DO NOT PARK IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS OR DORMITORIES. YOUR VEHICLE WILL BE TOWED. Drop Off Zone is east of course off Edgewater by the Cart Barn. Look for Signs.

RESULTS: with mile splits, will be posted on the following websites:

TEAM ACTIVITIES AND SCHEDULE: (a rough schedule that will be modified as needed)

Thursday, 24 September

Arrive in Phoenix at various times. See the travel plans below.
A short and easy ~30-minute run with a few strides is recommended after arrival to loosen up from the travel. If you will arrive in the evening, do the run Thursday morning at SHS and then just do a 20-minute walk upon arrival to loosen up.

Friday, 25 September - mostly just relax! Maybe go to a museum.

Breakfast on own
Early birds - Sometime in the morning - Easy 10 to 15-minute shake out run. The Riparian Preserve at Water Park is a nice spot for that.
- https://www.gilbertaz.gov/departments/parks-and-recreation/riparian-preserve-at-water-ranch
- https://www.azcentral.com/story/travel/arizona/2022/06/30/riparian-preserve-at-water-ranch-gilbert-az/7727304001/
Night owls - sleep in.
Lunch on own
After lunch take a nap. About 5:00pm do a 8-10' shake out/wake up run if you didn't do one in the morning.
~ 5:00 p.m. Eat a light dinner. A turkey sandwich, chicken teriyaki on rice, etc. Maybe take another nap or watch a movie.
4:00 p.m. Sten - Warm Up for Boys Small School Freshman
5:00 p.m. Sten - Boys Small School Freshman race
8:00 p.m. Arrive at Toka Stix and meet at team camp area
8:30 p.m. Girls Warm Up starts
8:50 p.m. Boys Warm Up starts
9:35 p.m. Girls Sweepstakes
9:55 p.m. Boys Sweepstakes

4:15 PM Course open for warm ups

4:40 PM Coaches Meeting at the Finish Line Area

5:00 PM #1 Boys 5K Run Small Schools Freshman

5:10 PM #2 Girls 5K Run Small Schools Freshman

5:20 PM #3 Boys 5K Run Large Schools Freshman

5:30 PM #4 Girls 5K Run Large Schools Freshman

5:40 PM #5 Boys 1.6 Mile Run Jr. High

5:50 PM #6 Girls 1.6 Mile Run Jr. High

6:00 PM #7 Boys 5K Run Small Schools Open 1

6:10 PM #8 Boys 5K Run Small Schools Open 2

6:20 PM #9 Girls 5K Run Small Schools Open

6:30 PM #10 Boys 5K Run Large Schools Open 1

6:40 PM #11 Boys 5K Run Large Schools Open 2

6:50 PM #12 Boys 5K Run Large Schools Open 3

7:00 PM #13 Girls 5K Run Large Schools Open 1

7:10 PM #14 Girls 5K Run Large Schools Open 2

7:20 PM #15 Girls 5K Run Small Schools Varsity 1

7:35 PM #16 Girls 5K Run Small Schools Varsity 2

7:50 PM #17 Girls 5K Run Large Schools Varsity

8:05 PM #18 Boys 5K Run Small Schools Varsity 1

8:20 PM #19 Boys 5K Run Small Schools Varsity 2

8:35 PM #20 Boys 5K Run Large Schools Varsity

8:45 PM #21 Mens 5K Run Community

8:45 PM #22 Women's 5K Run Community

9:05 PM #23 Girls 5K Run Championship

9:20 PM #24 Boys 5K Run Championship

9:35 PM #25 Girls 5K Run Sweepstakes

9:55 PM #26 Boys 5K Run Sweepstakes

Saturday, 26 September

Departures

Saturday morning - Michael & Eva Hagen
Saturday afternoon -
Saturday evening -

Participation at Desert Twilight is open to everyone. We would love to have a lot of SHS runners compete – ideally at least five girls and five boys so we can race as a team in the Sweepstakes Division.

The costs of this trip are born by the individual runner/family. Most runners will probably have a parent or two that will travel with them. We are glad to chaperone any runners who don't have parents traveling with them. For everyone, but especially for those athletes traveling without parents, it would be beneficial and more fun if we travel and lodge together as much as possible. To arrange that, below are the travel arrangements we have made. We looked for the cheapest flights last year and found it was cheaper to fly there on Thursday and fly back Sunday than to go Friday to Saturday.

Please provide your travel info here. Scroll down for the spreadsheet with the group travel plans.

TRANSPORTATION:

Coach Hagen will be on these flights – Eva is staying in Summit to coach those not racing DT:

Denver to Phoenix on United 1782, departing at 9:49 a.m., arriving in Phoenix at 10:48 a.m.
Phoenix to Denver on United 597, departing at 9:10 a.m., arriving in Denver at 12:06 p.m.

Athletes traveling without parents are requested to be on these flights or coordinate with other parents if possible.

HOTEL OPTIONS:

Four Points by Sheraton

6850 E Williams Field Rd
Mesa, AZ 85212
480-579-2182
Meet Headquarters

Courtyard by Marriott Mesa Gateway Airport

6907 East Ray Rd
Mesa, AZ 85212 480-351-7088

Holiday Inn Express Mesa Gateway Airport

5530 S Power Rd
Gilbert, AZ 85295 480-507-3000
Booking Link

Hampton Inn

3265 S Market St
Gilbert, AZ 85297 480-543-1500
All Room Must Be Booked By 10/23/2024
Booking Link

Hyatt Place Gilbert

3275 S Market St
Gilbert, AZ 85297 480-899-5900

Home 2 Suites by Hilton Gilbert

3333 S Market St
Gilbert, AZ 85297 480-857-4778
Booking Link

Doubletree By Hilton
1800 S San Tan Village Pkwy
Gilbert, 480-809-4061

TRU By Hilton

1950 S San Tan Village Pkwy
Gilbert, 602-567-9800

Country Inn & Suites By Radisson Mesa

6650 E Superstition Springs Blvd
Mesa, AZ 480-641-8000

REGISTRATION:

I will register our athletes when you have confirmed participation with me. Please do that as soon as possible. At least by 12 September so we don't have to pay late fees. We will pay for entries from the team fundraising.

Please provide your travel info here. Scroll down to see the spreadsheet with the group travel plans.