Canyonlands Half Marathon and 5 mile
Canyonlands Half Marathon and 5 mile
The first Canyonlands Half Marathon was run on May 1, 1976 had just 22 finishers, including a dog. Today, thousands of runners come together in March to enjoy the scenic red rock formations and winding Colorado River that Moab has come to be known for! Running parallel to Arches National Park and the Mighty Colorado, runners are in for a real treat. Long considered a “Bucket List” race, Canyonlands Half Marathon was named by Runners World UK, in their article “The Worlds Greatest Races,” in the July 2018 issue.
Canyonlands Half Marathon and Five Mile is part of our Run Moab Series.
Canyonlands Race Guide
Read the 2023 Canyonlands Race Guide for more information.
Course Information
Lucky runners will start at Sandy Beach, a boat launching site located next to the Colorado River. Pre-race jitters are replaced the excitement as runners take in awe inspiring views of towering red rock canyon walls and the red reflections of the rising sun. The course will travel east for a half mile before turning around and heading down river toward the Moab Valley. After traveling down post-card alley for the entirety of the race, runners will finish at the ever beautiful Lions Park, adjacent to Arches National Park.
Canyonlands Half Marathon Course Map
Canyonlands Half Marathon Interactive Map
Canyonlands Half Marathon GPX File *download file to view
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Lowest Point 3961′
- Highest Point 4088′
- Elevation Gain 443′
- Elevation Loss 531′
Canyonlands 5 Mile Interactive Map
Canyonlands 5 Mile GPX File *download file to view
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Lowest Point 3960′
- Highest Point 4146′
- Elevation Gain 440′
- Elevation Loss 456’
There are five aid stations along the course. See map below.
Aid station supplies include:
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water
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Gatorade Endurance Formula
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port-a-potties.
Medical staff is stationed along the course and at the finish line.
Course Time Limits/Road Closure Information
There is a time limit of 3 hours and 30 minutes.
Due to safety concerns and permitting requirements, the Canyonlands Half Marathon course will have strictly enforced cutoff times at miles 3, 6, 9 and 10.6 . Hwy 128 is winding with no shoulder in some sections, so it is imperative that all runners be off the road by Noon. A pace of 15:30/mile or faster will meet the cutoff times. A cushion of 5 minutes is built into the cutoff times to account for the time it takes a runner at the 10+ min/mile pace to cross the starting line after the gun has gone off.
Race Start 8:15 a.m.
Mile 3 Cutoff 52 minutes 15:30/mile pace plus 5 minutes
Mile 6 Cutoff 1 hr 38 minutes 15:30/mile pace plus 5 minutes
Mile 9 Cutoff 2 hr 25 minutes 15:30/mile pace plus 5 minutes
Mile 10.6 3 hr 11 minutes 15:30/mile pace plus 5 minutes
If you do not make a cutoff, you MUST board the sweep vehicle. Keep in mind that course services including aid stations and medical will also be discontinued once the sweep vehicle comes through. The finish line closes at 12:15 pm.
Hwy 128 is closed to traffic from 8 am to Noon between Mile Post 14 and Hwy 191. This includes bicycle and pedestrian tra
Travel Information
Check out the Travel Page for information about lodging and recreation in Moab!
Packet Pickup
Date: Friday, March 17, 2023
Time: 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Location: Lions Park
UT Highway 128
Moab, UT 84532
No registration at packet pickup or on race day.
Race Day Packet Pickup:
Saturday, March 18, 2023
Time: 6:35 a.m.- 7:15 a.m.
Location: Swanny Park near shuttle pickup.
There is no race day registration.
Information Regarding Packet Pickup Process:
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You will need to have a photo ID in order to receive your packet.
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Race changes cannot be done after Wednesday on race week..
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Runners may not pick up someone else’s bib.
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Entries are non-transferable. See FAQ page.
Shuttle Pickup Information
Half Marathon Start: shuttles load between 7:00 and 7:20 a.m.
Location: the south side of Swanny City Park along Park Drive.
GPS Coordinates (Click for Google Maps):
38.5774, -109.5536
Five Mile Start: shuttle vehicles load between 7:20 AM and 7:35 AM
Location: in front of the Helen M. Knight School located at 400 N and 100 W
GPS Coordinates (Click for Google Maps):
38.5796, -109.5550
Information Regarding Shuttle Process:
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Runners must show their bibs to board a shuttle.
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Runners staying upriver from the Half Marathon race start on Hwy 128 can be dropped off there no later than 7:30 AM.
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Please board shuttles promptly—it takes considerable time to move people up a narrow winding canyon road.
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Parking for shuttles to the start is very limited. Please plan to walk or carpool to Swanny City Park and HMK School on Saturday morning.
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There is NO PARKING AT THE START! All participants need to take a shuttle to the start areas.
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No spectators may ride the start line shuttle. No spectators at the start line.
Start Line Gear Check
There will be an area near the start line area for runners to put their gear bags before the start.
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Use the bag supplied at packet pickup, which will be labeled with your bib number.
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Bags will be arranged as you left them at the Gear Bag Pickup area at Lions Park after the race.
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Please do not place valuables in your gear bag. Mad Moose Events is not responsible for lost items.
Start Times
Half Marathon Start: 8:15 a.m.
5 Mile Start: 8:35 a.m.
Finish Line
The finish line is located at Lions Park, located at the intersection of Hwy 128 and Hwy 191. Hwy 128 is closed for the duration of the event. There is no parking at Lions Park. All lots at the park are closed for the event.
GPS Coordinates for Lions Park: 38.60304, -109.57522
Shuttles will be taking spectators and runners between the finish line and Helen M Knight Elementary School, located at 400N and 100W, from 8:30 AM until 1 PM. The shuttles will run continuously. There is no parking at the finish line. Masks must be worn on shuttles.
All spectators and runners must use the Highway 128 underpass to access shuttle pickup/drop-off location, at Lions Park. Do not cross the highway. Strollers must be able to fold and fit on school bus. No dogs allowed on the shuttles.
*The finish line is within walking distance of the Fairfield Inn and Springhill Inn, at Lions Park. Just follow the pedestrian bridge across the river and then use the Highway 191 underpass.
Runners will be served water, Gatorade Endurance Formula, and a delicious variety of food. The finish line closes at 12:15 pm.
Dogs are NOT allowed on shuttles or at Lions Park. An off leash area, the Bark Park, is located on 300 S.
Runner Perks
Runners will receive a unique finisher’s medal, a short-sleeved custom printed Brooks tech shirt, bag, great post race refreshments, and a closed, traffic-free highway.
FAQ
The FAQ page contains information about:
-Pricing
-Race Rules
-Distance Changes
-Cancelation, transfer, and no refund policy
-Other Runner Requirements
Canyonlands Half Virtual Option
You can always join us virtually! We’ll send your bib, custom race shirt, bib, and finisher’s medal to you, you design and run your own course. We’ll have a link available to submit your time. We’ll accept your times from 3/1/2023 through 3/31/2023. The results will be published once the results window closes.
Results
Find the results hosted on UltraSignUp!
Race Photos
Race photos are taken by Aktiva Sport Photography. They will send an email to runners once the pictures have been processed. Please allow 1-2 weeks for processing.
Volunteer with Mad Moose
Do you like helping your fellow runners succeed? Do you want to support your favorite race company? Do you enjoy giving back to this awesome community? Consider volunteering at one of our future events! As if getting to give back to the running community wasn’t enough, we want to show our gratitude by having all volunteers earn credits toward FREE race entries of your choice! (Friends and Family – You can earn race credits for your runner to use toward their next Mad Moose Event!)
Click HERE for more details about volunteering with Mad Moose!
Already earned some free entries this year and love helping on race day? Consider becoming a Mad Moose Ambassador!
Organizer
Mad Moose Events
Website
https://www.madmooseevents.com/We’re a running family who hosts trail and road running events in Utah and Colorado! Join the #madmooseherd for a race!
