Moab Trail Half Marathon

Race - Nov 2, 2019

Dogs No Dogs

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This race is one of a kind. With a limited number of participants per day, it's so "out there" that the aid stations are manned by jeepers who leave the night before or in the wee hours of the morning to man them. Racers are treated to gorgeous climbs, beautiful vistas, and technical terrain.

Set in one of the most beautiful places in the United States, the Moab Half Marathon provides a scenic and challenging course. Gaining nearly 2,000 vertical feet, the course covers a variety of terrain ranging from canyon rims to the actual Kane Creek drainage. Runners will get a taste of everything that Moab has to offer while on this course.

Wear wool socks for this November race. If you get wet feet, you'll be glad you did! Bringing an extra pair of both shoes and socks is also recommended.

This race starts out on a jeep trail, about two-people wide. The first section involves interesting technical climbing and smooth rock. Be careful if it's wet! Then it flattens out across a mesa until it descends slightly to the mile 6 aid station. Thank the jeepers that left at 3 am to get there to give you water and food (don't be a jerk!).

Continue on to the singletrail portion alongside Hunter Canyon. There are gorgeous vistas as you run right alongside the cliff, so stop looking at the vistas and pay attention to the canyon! At about mile 9, the race posts guides to help you down a very steep scramble. Sit on your butt if you have to! This steep descent leads into the mile 9.7 aid station. Grab some snacks and prepare to head up some switchbacks.

This next part is on a road, so watch out for traffic. The term road can be used somewhat lightly, as the dirt tread and incredible views aren't quite like running around the neighborhood. Eventually, you'll head back off the road, cutting along a short stretch of trail, and then descending to Kane Creek. You'll run through the creek bed for a mile or so. If it's been raining, this will be a wade, up to your thighs if you're unlucky! You'll get back up on the road one last time and then run around a spur that crosses the creek a couple more times before heading to the finish line!

Desert flora and fauna tends to be delicate and unfriendly. You'll likely pass by many spiky or prickly desert plants. Big cottonwood trees line the Colorado River, but the course only gets tantalizingly close to their shade. The observant runner may notice small desert lizards scurrying away from the race.