What was supposed to be an epic test of endurance turned into a logistical nightmare for volunteers at the inaugural Arizona Monster 300, a new ultramarathon organized by Destination Trail.
Multiple unpaid volunteers have come forward describing unsanitary and unsafe conditions, including being left to manage human waste at aid stations and camp setups with no proper sanitation infrastructure.
“We were given buckets and told to ‘figure it out,’” said one volunteer, who worked a remote station for over 30 hours straight. “There were no clear instructions, no porta-potties, and runners were desperate. It was a health hazard.”
The 300-mile course, known for its punishing terrain and isolation, left volunteers and participants stranded in areas with little to no support. Several also cited poor communication, a lack of medical oversight, and long stretches without resupply.
While Destination Trail has built a reputation on extreme ultrarunning events like the Tahoe 200 and Moab 240, some are questioning whether the Monster 300 was rolled out too fast, without the infrastructure to back it.
As calls for accountability grow louder, the voices of those who supported the event—not for medals or records, but for the love of the sport—are demanding to be heard.
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