Utah Trail Running

Utah Trail Running

In recent years, my summer exercise time has been increasingly occupied by running on dirt roads and trails, which seems to be easier on my aging body than pounding the asphalt. Although I participate in few races, I have listed here all of the Utah off-pavement running events of which I am aware. Please check this information with the race director to be sure that it is current. Also, please let me know about any errors or races that aren't included.
For more information on local and nearby trail runs, check out the Ultra Running Magazine calendar page, which lists trail runs across the country, along with ratings of terrain (1 = "flat or nearly flat", ... , 5 = "mountainous, total climb more than 250 feet per mile") and surface (1 = "paved or very smooth surface", ... , 5 = "very rough trail"). Other sources of information about trail races around the country and world are American Trail Running Association, UltraRunner, and Ultramarathon Running.
Updates:
3/24/12 - This is a first draft. Please let me know of any additions that should be made or errors that you see. (hanscom 'at' cs 'dot' utah 'dot' edu)
4/27/12 - Added Wasatch Back Marathon (June 30), Timp Trail Elk Run 50K (Oct 13), and Moab Trail Marathon (Nov 3). Also dates for Skyline Mountain Marathon (Aug 18) and Goblin Valley Ultra (Oct 27).
4/29/12 - Changed link for Tuesday evening runs from Mountain Trails Foundation to PcTrailRunner.
4/30/12 - Added YES 50K (Oct 6).

2012 Utah Off-Pavement Running Event Schedule

date race start dist. description
Sat, Feb 18 Moab's Red Hot 55K and 33K 8:00/8:30am 55/33 km Courses start at Gemini Trailhead north of Moab and end at Poison Spider Trailhead on Colorado River. All on dirt jeep roads. Contact Chris Martinez (directormartinez 'at' yahoo 'dot' com) for more information.
Fri & Sat, March 23-24 Antelope Island Buffalo Run 8:30/8:00am Sat, 6:00am Sat, noon Friday 25/50 km, 50 mi, 100 mi A 25-k loop on trails around the north end of Antelope Island for the 25 and 50K; a different 50 mile course in the same area for the 50 and 100 mile.
Sat, Apr 14 Amasa 6.5 mi and 9.5 mi 8:00am 6.5/9.5 mi Courses start and end at Kane Creek Trailhead south of Moab and follow loops on jeep roads and single tracks in the Amasa Back area. Contact Chris Martinez (directormartinez 'at' yahoo 'dot' com) for more information.
Sat, May 26 Timp Trail Marathon & Half Marathon 6:00am/8:00am 27 mi/13 mi The courses follow mountain trails and fire roads along the west face of Mount Timpanogos. Contact Shaun (shaun 'at' t3triathlon 'dot' com) for more information.
Saturday, June 2 Squaw Peak 50-Mile Trail Run 5:00am 50 mi Vivian Park in Provo Canyon, down Provo River Trail, across Squaw Peak Road to Hobble Creek Canyon, up Sheep Canyon to the Great Western Trail, up to Windy Pass, and down South Fork of Provo to Vivian Park. Contact John Bozung (jbozung 'at' aol 'dot' com) for more details.
Saturday, June 2 Fully N.U.T.S. Trail Half Marathon 7:00am 13+ mi An out and back course from Mount Ogden Park, following trails along the west side of the mountains.
Tuesday, June 5 Tuesday Trail Run Series 6:00pm varies Casual group run in the Park City area. Distance and location are different each week. Check the website for details.
Tuesday, June 12 Tuesday Trail Run Series 6:00pm varies Casual group run in the Park City area. Distance and location are different each week. Check the website for details.
Tuesday, June 19 Tuesday Trail Run Series 6:00pm varies Casual group run in the Park City area. Distance and location are different each week. Check the website for details.
Saturday, June 23 Wahsatch Steeplechase 6:00am 15 mi Memory Grove to the summit of Black Mountain along a sometimes narrow and very exposed trail; return via City Creek road and trail. Contact Wasatch Touring at (801)359-9361 or email Butch Adams (butch 'at' butchadams 'dot' com) for more details.
Saturday, June 23 Park City Mini-Trail Series 5K 8:00am 3 mi Trail run on singletrack in Round Valley. Contact the race director (rhielle 'at' r-u-nevents 'dot' com) for more details.
Tuesday, June 26 Tuesday Trail Run Series 6:00pm varies Casual group run in the Park City area. Distance and location are different each week. Check the website for details.
Saturday, June 30 Logan Peak Trail Run 6:00am 28 mi Trail run on singletrack and 4wd roads with 7261 feet of elevation gain/loss in the Cache National Forest, Logan, Utah. Contact the race director (runningmtns 'at' gmail 'dot' com) for more details.
Saturday, June 30 Wasatch Back Marathon 6:00am 26 mi Starting and finishing at the Midway Town Square, the course goes through town to the Wasatch Mountain State Park Visitor Center, then up the trail to the ridge, down a series of dirt roads to Deer Creek Reservoir, along the reservoir trail to Soldier Hollow, then back to the Midway Town Square.
Tuesday, July 3 Tuesday Trail Run Series 6:00pm varies Casual group run in the Park City area. Distance and location are different each week. Check the website for details.
Saturday, July 7 Park City Mini-Trail Series 10K 8:00am 6 mi Trail run on singletrack in Round Valley. Contact the race director (rhielle 'at' r-u-nevents 'dot' com) for more details.
Tuesday, July 10 Tuesday Trail Run Series 6:00pm varies Casual group run in the Park City area. Distance and location are different each week. Check the website for details.
Saturday, July 14 Canyon to Canyon Half Marathon 7:00am 13 and 6 mi Out and back from East Canyon Resort to Jeremy Ranch on a dirt road. Contact Salt Lake Running Company, 3142 S. Highland Dr. at (801)484-9144 for more details.
Tuesday, July 17 Tuesday Trail Run Series 6:00pm varies Casual group run in the Park City area. Distance and location are different each week. Check the website for details.
Tuesday, July 24 Tuesday Trail Run Series 6:00pm varies Casual group run in the Park City area. Distance and location are different each week. Check the website for details.
Saturday, July 28 Speedgoat 50K 6:30 am 50 km 50 kilometers of trails around Alta and Snowbird, with lots of vertical. Contact Karl Meltzer (speedgoatkarl 'at' gmail 'dot' com) for more details.
Tuesday, July 31 Tuesday Trail Run Series 6:00pm varies Casual group run in the Park City area. Distance and location are different each week. Check the website for details.
Saturday, Aug 4 Kat'cina Mosa 100K 3:00am 100 km Up the Left Fork of Hobble Creek Canyon, Pole Heaven road, and Rock Canyon to the Wasatch crest. Down to Big Springs in Little South Fork of the Provo. Up to Windy Pass and east to Little Valley on the Great Western Trail. Back over the ridge and down the Right Fork of Hobble Creek. Contact John Bozung (jbozung 'at' aol 'dot' com) for more details.
Saturday, Aug 4 Jupiter Peak Steeplechase 8:00am 15 mi Park City Mountain Resort, up Thaynes Canyon to Jupiter Peak, along the ridge to Scotts Pass, and back down Thaynes to the start. Contact Mountain Trails Foundation at (435)649-0697 for more details.
Tuesday, Aug 7 Tuesday Trail Run Series 6:00pm varies Casual group run in the Park City area. Distance and location are different each week. Check the website for details.
Saturday, Aug 11 Park City Mini-Trail Series 15K 8:00am 9 mi Trail run on singletrack in Round Valley. Contact the race director (rhielle 'at' r-u-nevents 'dot' com) for more details.
Saturday, Aug 11 El Vaquero Loco 7:00am 25/50 km Out and back run in National Forest near Afton, Wyoming.
Tuesday, Aug 14 Tuesday Trail Run Series 6:00pm varies Casual group run in the Park City area. Distance and location are different each week. Check the website for details.
Saturday, Aug 18 Skyline Mountain Marathon 6:00am 14/26 mi Marathon starts at North Fork Park in Liberty, climbs to the shoulder of Ben Lomond, drops down to North Ogden Pass, climbs up Lewis Peak, drops down to Pineview Reservoir, follows the trail along the reservoir to the park in Eden. Half marathon starts at North Ogden Pass and follows the same route to the finish.
Tuesday, Aug 21 Tuesday Trail Run Series 6:00pm varies Casual group run in the Park City area. Distance and location are different each week. Check the website for details.
Saturday, Aug 25 Bryce Canyon Rim Run 9:00am 5 mi Starts and ends at Ruby's Inn. Follows rolling dirt trails near Bryce Canyon National Park. Call (435)834-5341x198 or email jean 'at' color-country 'dot' com for more details.
Tuesday, Aug 28 Tuesday Trail Run Series 6:00pm varies Casual group run in the Park City area. Distance and location are different each week. Check the website for details.
Saturday, Sep 1 Grand Teton Races 6:00am 50 mi, 50 km, marathon One or more laps around a loop on dirt roads and trails around the Targhee Ski Area in Alta, Wyoming. See the web page for more details.
Friday, Sept 7 Wasatch Front 100 5:00am 100 mi Layton to Midway (The Homestead) along the Wasatch crest. See the web page for more details.
Saturday, Sept 8 Mid Mountain Marathon 8:00am ~26 mi A point-to-point race starting at Deer Valley, passing through Park City Mountain Resort, and ending at the Canyons. The course follows the newly completed Mid Mountain Trail, which is all at about 8000 feet in elevation. Contact Mountain Trails Foundation at (435)649-0697 for more details.
Saturday, Sept 8 Little Grand Canyon Marathon 6:30am 26 mi A point-to-point race starting just south of Huntington State Park and following dirt roads down through BuckHorn Wash to the San Rafael Swell. See the web page for more details.
Saturday, Sept 15 Park City Mini-Trail Series Half Marathon 8:00am 13 mi Trail run on singletrack in Round Valley. Contact the race director (rhielle 'at' r-u-nevents 'dot' com) for more details.
Saturday, Sept 15 Hidden Peak Challenge 10:00am 5 mi Hill climb up the Snowbird ski area. Contact Contact Salt Lake Running Company, 3142 S. Highland Dr. at (801)484-9144 for more details.
Friday, Sept 28 Bear 100 6:00am 100 mi Logan to Bear Lake. A cool autumn loop through the pines, golden aspen and red maples of the Wasatch/Bear River Range. Contact Leland Barker at (435)563-3647 for more details.
Saturday, Oct 6 Antelope Island 50K and 100K 8:00am and 6:00am 50/100 km A 50 km loop on trails down the west side of Antelope Island, then back up the east side. Start and finish are at the White Rock Bay trailhead.
Saturday, Oct 6 Your Endurance Sports (YES) 50K and half marathon 9:00am 5/21/50 km An out-and-back race on trails around the Jordanelle Reservoir. Check the website for more details.
Sunday, ??? TUNA Mountain Duathlon 10:00am 9 mi The course will be 3 miles of running and 6 miles of mountain biking on the Soldier Hollow cross country ski trails. Teams or individual entries are welcome. Shorter distances for kids. Register at the start before 9:30. This is a fun event, with (white elephant) prizes provided by competitors. Contact Chris Magerl (801) 595-8293 for more details.
Sat, Oct 13 Timp Trail Elk Run 50K & Half Marathon 6:00am/8:00am 31 mi/16 mi The courses follow mountain trails and fire roads along the west face of Mount Timpanogos. Contact Shaun (shaun 'at' t3triathlon 'dot' com) for more information.
Friday, Oct 19 Pony Express Trail 50 and 100 Mile Run 8:00am 50 or 100 mi This is a no-fee 100-mile fun run. No aid stations, no markings, no awards, no sponsors. Just 100 miles of dirt roads. You must have your own support crew! Contact the Run Director (crockett 'at' byu 'dot' edu) for more details.
Saturday, Oct 27 Goblin Valley Ultra 8:00am 25/50 km A scenic run on dirt roads in Goblin Valley State Park and Little Wild Horse Canyon. See the web page for more details.
Saturday, ??? Up-N-Over Trail Run 10:00am 5/10 km A trail run, with about 1400 feet of climb, from the old gravel pit in North Ogden to the top of North Ogden Pass, where you'll stop if you choose to do the 5k. 10k racers will run down the other side to the Wolf Mountain Ski Area. This is a fundraiser for Ogden Nordic trail maintenance and development programs. See the web page for more details, or contact Clay Christensen at 801-234-0399 or claybchristensen 'at' gmail 'dot' com.
Saturday, Nov 3 Moab Trail Marathon & Half Marathon 9:00am 13/26 km The course wanders through canyons and along ridges on trails and dirt roads around Moab. One "fixed rope section" adds some adventure to the course. National Trail Marathon Championship.

date	race	start	dist.	description
Sat, Feb 18	Moab's Red Hot 55K and 33K	8:00/8:30am	55/33 km	Courses start at Gemini Trailhead north of Moab and end at Poison Spider Trailhead on Colorado River. All on dirt jeep roads. Contact Chris Martinez (directormartinez 'at' yahoo 'dot' com) for more information.
Fri & Sat, March 23-24	Antelope Island Buffalo Run	8:30/8:00am Sat, 6:00am Sat, noon Friday	25/50 km, 50 mi, 100 mi	A 25-k loop on trails around the north end of Antelope Island for the 25 and 50K; a different 50 mile course in the same area for the 50 and 100 mile.
Sat, Apr 14	Amasa 6.5 mi and 9.5 mi	8:00am	6.5/9.5 mi	Courses start and end at Kane Creek Trailhead south of Moab and follow loops on jeep roads and single tracks in the Amasa Back area. Contact Chris Martinez (directormartinez 'at' yahoo 'dot' com) for more information.
Sat, May 26	Timp Trail Marathon & Half Marathon	6:00am/8:00am	27 mi/13 mi	The courses follow mountain trails and fire roads along the west face of Mount Timpanogos. Contact Shaun (shaun 'at' t3triathlon 'dot' com) for more information.
Saturday, June 2	Squaw Peak 50-Mile Trail Run	5:00am	50 mi	Vivian Park in Provo Canyon, down Provo River Trail, across Squaw Peak Road to Hobble Creek Canyon, up Sheep Canyon to the Great Western Trail, up to Windy Pass, and down South Fork of Provo to Vivian Park. Contact John Bozung (jbozung 'at' aol 'dot' com) for more details.
Saturday, June 2	Fully N.U.T.S. Trail Half Marathon	7:00am	13+ mi	An out and back course from Mount Ogden Park, following trails along the west side of the mountains.
Tuesday, June 5	Tuesday Trail Run Series	6:00pm	varies	Casual group run in the Park City area. Distance and location are different each week. Check the website for details.
Tuesday, June 12	Tuesday Trail Run Series	6:00pm	varies	Casual group run in the Park City area. Distance and location are different each week. Check the website for details.
Tuesday, June 19	Tuesday Trail Run Series	6:00pm	varies	Casual group run in the Park City area. Distance and location are different each week. Check the website for details.
Saturday, June 23	Wahsatch Steeplechase	6:00am	15 mi	Memory Grove to the summit of Black Mountain along a sometimes narrow and very exposed trail; return via City Creek road and trail. Contact Wasatch Touring at (801)359-9361 or email Butch Adams (butch 'at' butchadams 'dot' com) for more details.
Saturday, June 23	Park City Mini-Trail Series 5K	8:00am	3 mi	Trail run on singletrack in Round Valley. Contact the race director (rhielle 'at' r-u-nevents 'dot' com) for more details.
Tuesday, June 26	Tuesday Trail Run Series	6:00pm	varies	Casual group run in the Park City area. Distance and location are different each week. Check the website for details.
Saturday, June 30	Logan Peak Trail Run	6:00am	28 mi	Trail run on singletrack and 4wd roads with 7261 feet of elevation gain/loss in the Cache National Forest, Logan, Utah. Contact the race director (runningmtns 'at' gmail 'dot' com) for more details.
Saturday, June 30	Wasatch Back Marathon	6:00am	26 mi	Starting and finishing at the Midway Town Square, the course goes through town to the Wasatch Mountain State Park Visitor Center, then up the trail to the ridge, down a series of dirt roads to Deer Creek Reservoir, along the reservoir trail to Soldier Hollow, then back to the Midway Town Square.
Tuesday, July 3	Tuesday Trail Run Series	6:00pm	varies	Casual group run in the Park City area. Distance and location are different each week. Check the website for details.
Saturday, July 7	Park City Mini-Trail Series 10K	8:00am	6 mi	Trail run on singletrack in Round Valley. Contact the race director (rhielle 'at' r-u-nevents 'dot' com) for more details.
Tuesday, July 10	Tuesday Trail Run Series	6:00pm	varies	Casual group run in the Park City area. Distance and location are different each week. Check the website for details.
Saturday, July 14	Canyon to Canyon Half Marathon	7:00am	13 and 6 mi	Out and back from East Canyon Resort to Jeremy Ranch on a dirt road. Contact Salt Lake Running Company, 3142 S. Highland Dr. at (801)484-9144 for more details.
Tuesday, July 17	Tuesday Trail Run Series	6:00pm	varies	Casual group run in the Park City area. Distance and location are different each week. Check the website for details.
Tuesday, July 24	Tuesday Trail Run Series	6:00pm	varies	Casual group run in the Park City area. Distance and location are different each week. Check the website for details.
Saturday, July 28	Speedgoat 50K	6:30 am	50 km	50 kilometers of trails around Alta and Snowbird, with lots of vertical. Contact Karl Meltzer (speedgoatkarl 'at' gmail 'dot' com) for more details.
Tuesday, July 31	Tuesday Trail Run Series	6:00pm	varies	Casual group run in the Park City area. Distance and location are different each week. Check the website for details.
Saturday, Aug 4	Kat'cina Mosa 100K	3:00am	100 km	Up the Left Fork of Hobble Creek Canyon, Pole Heaven road, and Rock Canyon to the Wasatch crest. Down to Big Springs in Little South Fork of the Provo. Up to Windy Pass and east to Little Valley on the Great Western Trail. Back over the ridge and down the Right Fork of Hobble Creek. Contact John Bozung (jbozung 'at' aol 'dot' com) for more details.
Saturday, Aug 4	Jupiter Peak Steeplechase	8:00am	15 mi	Park City Mountain Resort, up Thaynes Canyon to Jupiter Peak, along the ridge to Scotts Pass, and back down Thaynes to the start. Contact Mountain Trails Foundation at (435)649-0697 for more details.
Tuesday, Aug 7	Tuesday Trail Run Series	6:00pm	varies	Casual group run in the Park City area. Distance and location are different each week. Check the website for details.
Saturday, Aug 11	Park City Mini-Trail Series 15K	8:00am	9 mi	Trail run on singletrack in Round Valley. Contact the race director (rhielle 'at' r-u-nevents 'dot' com) for more details.
Saturday, Aug 11	El Vaquero Loco	7:00am	25/50 km	Out and back run in National Forest near Afton, Wyoming.
Tuesday, Aug 14	Tuesday Trail Run Series	6:00pm	varies	Casual group run in the Park City area. Distance and location are different each week. Check the website for details.
Saturday, Aug 18	Skyline Mountain Marathon	6:00am	14/26 mi	Marathon starts at North Fork Park in Liberty, climbs to the shoulder of Ben Lomond, drops down to North Ogden Pass, climbs up Lewis Peak, drops down to Pineview Reservoir, follows the trail along the reservoir to the park in Eden. Half marathon starts at North Ogden Pass and follows the same route to the finish.
Tuesday, Aug 21	Tuesday Trail Run Series	6:00pm	varies	Casual group run in the Park City area. Distance and location are different each week. Check the website for details.
Saturday, Aug 25	Bryce Canyon Rim Run	9:00am	5 mi	Starts and ends at Ruby's Inn. Follows rolling dirt trails near Bryce Canyon National Park. Call (435)834-5341x198 or email jean 'at' color-country 'dot' com for more details.
Tuesday, Aug 28	Tuesday Trail Run Series	6:00pm	varies	Casual group run in the Park City area. Distance and location are different each week. Check the website for details.
Saturday, Sep 1	Grand Teton Races	6:00am	50 mi, 50 km, marathon	One or more laps around a loop on dirt roads and trails around the Targhee Ski Area in Alta, Wyoming. See the web page for more details.
Friday, Sept 7	Wasatch Front 100	5:00am	100 mi	Layton to Midway (The Homestead) along the Wasatch crest. See the web page for more details.
Saturday, Sept 8	Mid Mountain Marathon	8:00am	~26 mi	A point-to-point race starting at Deer Valley, passing through Park City Mountain Resort, and ending at the Canyons. The course follows the newly completed Mid Mountain Trail, which is all at about 8000 feet in elevation. Contact Mountain Trails Foundation at (435)649-0697 for more details.
Saturday, Sept 8	Little Grand Canyon Marathon	6:30am	26 mi	A point-to-point race starting just south of Huntington State Park and following dirt roads down through BuckHorn Wash to the San Rafael Swell. See the web page for more details.
Saturday, Sept 15	Park City Mini-Trail Series Half Marathon	8:00am	13 mi	Trail run on singletrack in Round Valley. Contact the race director (rhielle 'at' r-u-nevents 'dot' com) for more details.
Saturday, Sept 15	Hidden Peak Challenge	10:00am	5 mi	Hill climb up the Snowbird ski area. Contact Contact Salt Lake Running Company, 3142 S. Highland Dr. at (801)484-9144 for more details.
Friday, Sept 28	Bear 100	6:00am	100 mi	Logan to Bear Lake. A cool autumn loop through the pines, golden aspen and red maples of the Wasatch/Bear River Range. Contact Leland Barker at (435)563-3647 for more details.
Saturday, Oct 6	Antelope Island 50K and 100K	8:00am and 6:00am	50/100 km	A 50 km loop on trails down the west side of Antelope Island, then back up the east side. Start and finish are at the White Rock Bay trailhead.
Saturday, Oct 6	Your Endurance Sports (YES) 50K and half marathon	9:00am	5/21/50 km	An out-and-back race on trails around the Jordanelle Reservoir. Check the website for more details.
Sunday, ???	TUNA Mountain Duathlon	10:00am	9 mi	The course will be 3 miles of running and 6 miles of mountain biking on the Soldier Hollow cross country ski trails. Teams or individual entries are welcome. Shorter distances for kids. Register at the start before 9:30. This is a fun event, with (white elephant) prizes provided by competitors. Contact Chris Magerl (801) 595-8293 for more details.
Sat, Oct 13	Timp Trail Elk Run 50K & Half Marathon	6:00am/8:00am	31 mi/16 mi	The courses follow mountain trails and fire roads along the west face of Mount Timpanogos. Contact Shaun (shaun 'at' t3triathlon 'dot' com) for more information.
Friday, Oct 19	Pony Express Trail 50 and 100 Mile Run	8:00am	50 or 100 mi	This is a no-fee 100-mile fun run. No aid stations, no markings, no awards, no sponsors. Just 100 miles of dirt roads. You must have your own support crew! Contact the Run Director (crockett 'at' byu 'dot' edu) for more details.
Saturday, Oct 27	Goblin Valley Ultra	8:00am	25/50 km	A scenic run on dirt roads in Goblin Valley State Park and Little Wild Horse Canyon. See the web page for more details.
Saturday, ???	Up-N-Over Trail Run	10:00am	5/10 km	A trail run, with about 1400 feet of climb, from the old gravel pit in North Ogden to the top of North Ogden Pass, where you'll stop if you choose to do the 5k. 10k racers will run down the other side to the Wolf Mountain Ski Area. This is a fundraiser for Ogden Nordic trail maintenance and development programs. See the web page for more details, or contact Clay Christensen at 801-234-0399 or claybchristensen 'at' gmail 'dot' com.
Saturday, Nov 3	Moab Trail Marathon & Half Marathon	9:00am	13/26 km	The course wanders through canyons and along ridges on trails and dirt roads around Moab. One "fixed rope section" adds some adventure to the course. National Trail Marathon Championship.