Utah Trail Races & Ultramarathons

Utah's trail calendar splits into two very different races. Six of the nine events are in Moab, at about 4,000 feet. There the altitude won't stop you, but heat, sand and slickrock can. Speedgoat at Snowbird and Snowbird UTMB are the outliers. It's a steep alpine course that tops out near 11,000 feet, and the climbing decides your day more than the distance does. Decide which Utah you're racing before you build a plan.

Moab tests how well you manage your body. As we age, we get thirsty later and adapt to heat more slowly. So practice your fueling and fluids in warm conditions, and give heat training an extra week or two. Most Moab races are held in spring and fall, but a midday sun on red rock still runs hot. The rough footing also takes a toll on balance and ankles. Do single-leg stability work for a few weeks before race day, and expect a "moderate" course to feel harder than its stats suggest.

Speedgoat is a climbing and descending test. Older legs struggle more with long downhills than with the climbs, and they bounce back from altitude more slowly. Do steady hill work with descents built in, and plan to arrive a few days early if you can.

For a Moab goal, our 16-week 50K plan is a solid base. For Speedgoat or anything like it, you'll need more vertical, more downhill training and more time at altitude than that plan covers.

What is the best Utah trail race for beginners?

The Arches Half Marathon near Moab — a defined 13.1-mile distance on scenic but non-technical red-rock terrain, a good introduction to desert racing before a longer Moab ultra.

What is the hardest trail race in Utah?

Speedgoat Mountain Races at Snowbird — widely called the toughest 50K in the U.S., with over 11,000 feet of climbing to an 11,000-foot high point in just 31 miles.

Why are so many Utah trail races in Moab?

Moab's slickrock and sandstone canyon terrain is some of the most distinctive trail-running ground in the country, and it draws race organizers accordingly — six of the nine races on this page are there.

When is trail racing season in Utah?

Roughly October through July. Moab's desert races run fall through spring to avoid summer heat; Speedgoat, at altitude, runs in July once the high country is clear of snow.

Are there masters (40+) divisions at Utah trail races?

Most races on this list award age-group results in 5- or 10-year brackets rather than one "masters" category, but brackets vary by organizer — check each race's rules page before registering if it matters to you.

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