Trail Run Project Logo

The annual November Trail Championships. This is the half marathon version. It is tough but beautiful.


Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

13.7

Miles

22.0

KM

91%

Runnable

4,803' 1,464 m

High

3,954' 1,205 m

Low

1,917' 584 m

Up

1,919' 585 m

Down

5%

Avg Grade (3°)

27%

Max Grade (15°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Views

Overview

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.

Need to Know

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.

Description

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!

Flora & Fauna

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.

Contacts

Shared By:

Kim Conner

Trail Ratings

  4.8 from 5 votes

#4

in Amasa Back

#1634

Overall
  4.8 from 5 votes
5 Star
80%
4 Star
20%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#4

in Amasa Back

#121

in Utah

#1,634

Overall
26 Views Last Month
3,957 Since Nov 28, 2016
Difficult Difficult

0%
0%
0%
0%
100%
0%

Photos

View of the steepest hill on the road.
Mar 6, 2021 near Moab, UT
Hunter Rim on Behind the Rocks Ultra!
Aug 20, 2015 near Moab, UT
The Pritchett Canyon portion of the trail... a few jeeps in the beginning but then not a soul for miles and miles.
Oct 13, 2019 near Moab, UT
The mighty Colorado River seen from the Jackson's Trail
Apr 4, 2015 near Moab, UT
Beautiful structures typical of this area in Utah
Nov 28, 2016 near Moab, UT
Monolith!
Nov 28, 2016 near Moab, UT

0 Comments

Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Nov 3, 2019
Private User
Nov 3, 2018
Brian Johnson
Didn't train, felt great during, my knee was f***ed up for a few weeks after. 13.1mi — 2h 20m
Nov 7, 2015
Kate McDermott
13.4mi — 2h 39m
Welcome

Join the Community! It's FREE

Already have an account? Login to close this notice.