Utah Trail Running

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 trail running in Utah and nearby states, check out the Wasatch Alpine Striders web page. Information about trail runs across the country (and world) can be found on the All American Trail Running Association page. Other good references are the UltraRunner and Ultra Running Magazine pages, which contain, among other things, a schedule of many trail races around the world.
Updates:
7/8/08 - Added the El Vaquero Loco on Aug 16, and the Goblin Valley Ultra on Oct 25.
7/5/08 - Added the XTERRA races on July 19 and Aug 16.
5/12/08 - Added the Little Grand Canyon Marathon on Sept 13.
3/26/08 - 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)

2008 Utah Off-Pavement Running Event Schedule

date race start dist. description
Saturday, Feb 16 Moab Red Hot 50K+ 8:00am 50 km + A point-to-point course through Moab's redrock country. Contact Chris Martinez at directormartinez 'at' yahoo 'dot' com for more details.
Saturday, March 22 Antelope Island Buffalo Run 8:00am 25/50 km, 50 mi A 25-k loop on trails around the north end of Antelope Island.
Saturday, March 29 24 Hours of Utah 7:00am 24 hours of running Individuals or teams run laps around a 6 mile loop on rugged trails around the Lone Mesa area north of Moab.
Saturday, March 29 Moab 100 7:00am 100 mi The course consists of laps around a 6 mile loop on rugged trails around the Lone Mesa area north of Moab.
Saturday, April 19 Desert Rats Trail Running Festival 6:03am 25/50 mi A 25-mile desert loop on the famous Fruita, Colorado trail system, including part of the Kokopelli's Trail.
Tuesday, June 3 Tuesday Trail Run Series 6:00pm varies Casual group run. Distance and exact location will be decided at the start. Meet at City Park in Park City. Contact Dawn Bowling (bowlingdk 'at' aol 'dot' com) for confirmation and details.
Saturday, June 7 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.
Tuesday, June 10 Tuesday Trail Run Series 6:00pm varies Casual group run. Distance and exact location will be decided at the start. Meet at City Park in Park City. Contact Dawn Bowling (bowlingdk 'at' aol 'dot' com) for confirmation and details.
Tuesday, June 17 Tuesday Trail Run Series 6:00pm varies Casual group run. Distance and exact location will be decided at the start. Meet at City Park in Park City. Contact Dawn Bowling (bowlingdk 'at' aol 'dot' com) for confirmation and details.
Saturday, June 21 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.
Tuesday, June 24 Tuesday Trail Run Series 6:00pm varies Casual group run. Distance and exact location will be decided at the start. Meet at City Park in Park City. Contact Dawn Bowling (bowlingdk 'at' aol 'dot' com) for confirmation and details.
Saturday, June 30 Logan Peak Trail Run 6:00am 29 mi Trail run on singletrack and 4wd roads with 7261 feet of elevation gain/loss in the Cache National Forest, Logan, Utah. Contact Kelly Bradbury (runninyogini 'at' gmail 'dot' com) for more details.
Tuesday, July 1 Tuesday Trail Run Series 7:00pm varies Casual group run. Distance and exact location will be decided at the start. Meet at City Park in Park City. Contact Dawn Bowling (bowlingdk 'at' aol 'dot' com) for confirmation and details.
Tuesday, July 8 Tuesday Trail Run Series 7:00pm varies Casual group run. Distance and exact location will be decided at the start. Meet at City Park in Park City. Contact Dawn Bowling (bowlingdk 'at' aol 'dot' com) for confirmation and details.
Saturday, July 12 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 Sports Am at (801)583-6281 for more details.
Tuesday, July 15 Tuesday Trail Run Series 6:00pm varies Casual group run. Distance and exact location will be decided at the start. Meet at City Park in Park City. Contact Dawn Bowling (bowlingdk 'at' aol 'dot' com) for confirmation and details.
Saturday, July 19 XTERRA Antelope Island Trail 12K 7:00am 12 km Trail run at Antelope Island State Park. Contact Striders in Layton at (801)728-9121, or striders 'at' qwest 'dot' net, for more details.
Tuesday, July 22 Tuesday Trail Run Series 6:00pm varies Casual group run. Distance and exact location will be decided at the start. Meet at City Park in Park City. Contact Dawn Bowling (bowlingdk 'at' aol 'dot' com) for confirmation and details.
Saturday, July 26 Speedgoat 50K 6:30 am 50 km 50 kilometers of trails around Alta and Snowbird, with lots of vertical. Contact Karl Meltzer (wasaatchspeedgoat 'at' yahoo 'dot' com) for more details.
Tuesday, July 29 Tuesday Trail Run Series 6:00pm varies Casual group run. Distance and exact location will be decided at the start. Meet at City Park in Park City. Contact Dawn Bowling (bowlingdk 'at' aol 'dot' com) for confirmation and details.
Saturday, Aug 2 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.
Tuesday, Aug 5 Tuesday Trail Run Series 6:00pm varies Casual group run. Distance and exact location will be decided at the start. Meet at City Park in Park City. Contact Dawn Bowling (bowlingdk 'at' aol 'dot' com) for confirmation and details.
Saturday, Aug 9 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 12 Tuesday Trail Run Series 6:00pm varies Casual group run. Distance and exact location will be decided at the start. Meet at City Park in Park City. Contact Dawn Bowling (bowlingdk 'at' aol 'dot' com) for confirmation and details.
Saturday, Aug 16 XTERRA Wheeler Canyon 21K Xduro Trail Run 7:00am 21 km Trail run in Wheeler Canyon at Snowbasin Ski Resort. Call (877)751-8880, or email info 'at' xterraplanet 'dot' com, for more details.
Saturday, Aug 16 El Vaquero Loco 7:00am 25/50 km Out and back run in National Forest near Afton, Wyoming. Contact Ty Draney at (307)886-5721, or email tdraney 'at' lcsd2 'dot' org, for more details.
Tuesday, Aug 19 Tuesday Trail Run Series 6:00pm varies Casual group run. Distance and exact location will be decided at the start. Meet at City Park in Park City. Contact Dawn Bowling (bowlingdk 'at' aol 'dot' com) for confirmation and details.
Saturday, Aug 23 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 26 Tuesday Trail Run Series 6:00pm varies Casual group run. Distance and exact location will be decided at the start. Meet at City Park in Park City. Contact Dawn Bowling (bowlingdk 'at' aol 'dot' com) for confirmation and details.
Saturday, Aug 30 Meeteetse Absaroka Challenge 10:00am 5,10,15 km Trail run in Meeteetse, WY (near Cody). It's a 6-7 hour drive from Salt Lake, but a beautiful area for a vacation. See the web page for more details.
Saturday, Sept 6 Wasatch Front 100 5:00am 100 mi Layton to Midway (The Homestead) along the Wasatch crest. The 2007 race is already full, but call (801)278-1021 if you'd like to be placed on the mailing list for an application for next year's race.
Saturday, Sept 6 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 13 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. Contact Mammoth Marathons at (435)650-9732 for more details.
Sunday, Sept ?? 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.
Saturday, Sept 20 Hidden Peak Challenge 10:00am 5 mi Hill climb up the Snowbird ski area. Contact Sports Am at (801)583-6281 for more details.
Saturday, Sept 20 Moab Alpine to Slickrock 50 Mile 6:00am 50 mi A point-to-point course through alpine meadows and Moab's redrock country. Contact Greg Poettgen at moabultra 'at' gmail 'dot' com for more details.
Friday, Sept 26 Bear 100 6:00am 100 mi A new point-to-point course this year. Contact Leland Barker at (435)563-3647 for more details.
Saturday, ??? North Ogden Pass Uphill Trail Run 11:00am 3 mi An uphill trail run, with about 1400 feet of climb, from the old gravel pit in North Ogden to the top of North Ogden Pass. This is a fundraiser for the Ogden Junior Nordic Ski Team. Contact Paul Stromberg (nordicdogzz 'at' msn 'dot' com) or Linda Ries (plries 'at' cs 'dot' com) for more details.
Saturday, Oct 25 Goblin Valley Ultra 8:00am 25/50 km A scenic run on dirt roads in Goblin Valley State Park and Little Wild Horse Canyon. Contact Connie Copenhaver at the Green River Chamber of Commerce for more details.

date	race	start	dist.	description
Saturday, Feb 16	Moab Red Hot 50K+	8:00am	50 km +	A point-to-point course through Moab's redrock country. Contact Chris Martinez at directormartinez 'at' yahoo 'dot' com for more details.
Saturday, March 22	Antelope Island Buffalo Run	8:00am	25/50 km, 50 mi	A 25-k loop on trails around the north end of Antelope Island.
Saturday, March 29	24 Hours of Utah	7:00am	24 hours of running	Individuals or teams run laps around a 6 mile loop on rugged trails around the Lone Mesa area north of Moab.
Saturday, March 29	Moab 100	7:00am	100 mi	The course consists of laps around a 6 mile loop on rugged trails around the Lone Mesa area north of Moab.
Saturday, April 19	Desert Rats Trail Running Festival	6:03am	25/50 mi	A 25-mile desert loop on the famous Fruita, Colorado trail system, including part of the Kokopelli's Trail.
Tuesday, June 3	Tuesday Trail Run Series	6:00pm	varies	Casual group run. Distance and exact location will be decided at the start. Meet at City Park in Park City. Contact Dawn Bowling (bowlingdk 'at' aol 'dot' com) for confirmation and details.
Saturday, June 7	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.
Tuesday, June 10	Tuesday Trail Run Series	6:00pm	varies	Casual group run. Distance and exact location will be decided at the start. Meet at City Park in Park City. Contact Dawn Bowling (bowlingdk 'at' aol 'dot' com) for confirmation and details.
Tuesday, June 17	Tuesday Trail Run Series	6:00pm	varies	Casual group run. Distance and exact location will be decided at the start. Meet at City Park in Park City. Contact Dawn Bowling (bowlingdk 'at' aol 'dot' com) for confirmation and details.
Saturday, June 21	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.
Tuesday, June 24	Tuesday Trail Run Series	6:00pm	varies	Casual group run. Distance and exact location will be decided at the start. Meet at City Park in Park City. Contact Dawn Bowling (bowlingdk 'at' aol 'dot' com) for confirmation and details.
Saturday, June 30	Logan Peak Trail Run	6:00am	29 mi	Trail run on singletrack and 4wd roads with 7261 feet of elevation gain/loss in the Cache National Forest, Logan, Utah. Contact Kelly Bradbury (runninyogini 'at' gmail 'dot' com) for more details.
Tuesday, July 1	Tuesday Trail Run Series	7:00pm	varies	Casual group run. Distance and exact location will be decided at the start. Meet at City Park in Park City. Contact Dawn Bowling (bowlingdk 'at' aol 'dot' com) for confirmation and details.
Tuesday, July 8	Tuesday Trail Run Series	7:00pm	varies	Casual group run. Distance and exact location will be decided at the start. Meet at City Park in Park City. Contact Dawn Bowling (bowlingdk 'at' aol 'dot' com) for confirmation and details.
Saturday, July 12	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 Sports Am at (801)583-6281 for more details.
Tuesday, July 15	Tuesday Trail Run Series	6:00pm	varies	Casual group run. Distance and exact location will be decided at the start. Meet at City Park in Park City. Contact Dawn Bowling (bowlingdk 'at' aol 'dot' com) for confirmation and details.
Saturday, July 19	XTERRA Antelope Island Trail 12K	7:00am	12 km	Trail run at Antelope Island State Park. Contact Striders in Layton at (801)728-9121, or striders 'at' qwest 'dot' net, for more details.
Tuesday, July 22	Tuesday Trail Run Series	6:00pm	varies	Casual group run. Distance and exact location will be decided at the start. Meet at City Park in Park City. Contact Dawn Bowling (bowlingdk 'at' aol 'dot' com) for confirmation and details.
Saturday, July 26	Speedgoat 50K	6:30 am	50 km	50 kilometers of trails around Alta and Snowbird, with lots of vertical. Contact Karl Meltzer (wasaatchspeedgoat 'at' yahoo 'dot' com) for more details.
Tuesday, July 29	Tuesday Trail Run Series	6:00pm	varies	Casual group run. Distance and exact location will be decided at the start. Meet at City Park in Park City. Contact Dawn Bowling (bowlingdk 'at' aol 'dot' com) for confirmation and details.
Saturday, Aug 2	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.
Tuesday, Aug 5	Tuesday Trail Run Series	6:00pm	varies	Casual group run. Distance and exact location will be decided at the start. Meet at City Park in Park City. Contact Dawn Bowling (bowlingdk 'at' aol 'dot' com) for confirmation and details.
Saturday, Aug 9	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 12	Tuesday Trail Run Series	6:00pm	varies	Casual group run. Distance and exact location will be decided at the start. Meet at City Park in Park City. Contact Dawn Bowling (bowlingdk 'at' aol 'dot' com) for confirmation and details.
Saturday, Aug 16	XTERRA Wheeler Canyon 21K Xduro Trail Run	7:00am	21 km	Trail run in Wheeler Canyon at Snowbasin Ski Resort. Call (877)751-8880, or email info 'at' xterraplanet 'dot' com, for more details.
Saturday, Aug 16	El Vaquero Loco	7:00am	25/50 km	Out and back run in National Forest near Afton, Wyoming. Contact Ty Draney at (307)886-5721, or email tdraney 'at' lcsd2 'dot' org, for more details.
Tuesday, Aug 19	Tuesday Trail Run Series	6:00pm	varies	Casual group run. Distance and exact location will be decided at the start. Meet at City Park in Park City. Contact Dawn Bowling (bowlingdk 'at' aol 'dot' com) for confirmation and details.
Saturday, Aug 23	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 26	Tuesday Trail Run Series	6:00pm	varies	Casual group run. Distance and exact location will be decided at the start. Meet at City Park in Park City. Contact Dawn Bowling (bowlingdk 'at' aol 'dot' com) for confirmation and details.
Saturday, Aug 30	Meeteetse Absaroka Challenge	10:00am	5,10,15 km	Trail run in Meeteetse, WY (near Cody). It's a 6-7 hour drive from Salt Lake, but a beautiful area for a vacation. See the web page for more details.
Saturday, Sept 6	Wasatch Front 100	5:00am	100 mi	Layton to Midway (The Homestead) along the Wasatch crest. The 2007 race is already full, but call (801)278-1021 if you'd like to be placed on the mailing list for an application for next year's race.
Saturday, Sept 6	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 13	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. Contact Mammoth Marathons at (435)650-9732 for more details.
Sunday, Sept ??	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.
Saturday, Sept 20	Hidden Peak Challenge	10:00am	5 mi	Hill climb up the Snowbird ski area. Contact Sports Am at (801)583-6281 for more details.
Saturday, Sept 20	Moab Alpine to Slickrock 50 Mile	6:00am	50 mi	A point-to-point course through alpine meadows and Moab's redrock country. Contact Greg Poettgen at moabultra 'at' gmail 'dot' com for more details.
Friday, Sept 26	Bear 100	6:00am	100 mi	A new point-to-point course this year. Contact Leland Barker at (435)563-3647 for more details.
Saturday, ???	North Ogden Pass Uphill Trail Run	11:00am	3 mi	An uphill trail run, with about 1400 feet of climb, from the old gravel pit in North Ogden to the top of North Ogden Pass. This is a fundraiser for the Ogden Junior Nordic Ski Team. Contact Paul Stromberg (nordicdogzz 'at' msn 'dot' com) or Linda Ries (plries 'at' cs 'dot' com) for more details.
Saturday, Oct 25	Goblin Valley Ultra	8:00am	25/50 km	A scenic run on dirt roads in Goblin Valley State Park and Little Wild Horse Canyon. Contact Connie Copenhaver at the Green River Chamber of Commerce for more details.