Canyonlands Half Marathon Official Website

The "Nitty Gritty" Details (User Opinions)

Lauren G.
Denver, CO

  (04-08-2010)

"This was my first year doing the race and I LOVED it! So pretty running down the canyon. A note to anyone who wants to do this race, take sweats you don't care about to wear at the start. You have to stand at the start for 30mins after the trucks leave with your stuff. Luckliy a friend warned me of this so I was warm. One bad thing I would say is the shirt color this year was awful. Neon green, great shirt for night running but that's about it. "

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2010

Christopher S.
New York, NY

  (03-25-2010)

"The scenery on this race is unparalleled: the first 11 miles follow a canyon of the Colorado river, and as the light changes, the canyon walls change color. Your pace (and the altitude) will not be the only reason you find your breath taken away.

Some pointers: entries to the race are picked by lottery. Even before the lottery opens, you should make your hotel reservations. There are 5,000 slots, and Moab is a town of 5,000 residents, so you can do the math. Book a room early.

Because the start of the race is 11 miles up a narrow canyon, and the road is closed to traffic, you have to board a bus by 8 a.m. for a 10 a.m. start. Then you get to shiver in the cold canyon (the sun doesn't make it into the canyon until the race starts). Luckily, the organizers have planned for this, and you can bring extra layers, drop them off by 9:30 at the start, and be reunited with them at the finish. Also, they had coffee and hot chocolate to keep you warm on the inside.

The course follows the river, so there are no hills to speak of, and since the road is closed, there is no traffic to worry about either. The last two miles go through town, not as spectacular as the canyon, but the mountains in the distance are impressive, too. There is a good festival at the finish, with the exhibitors from the previous day's expo and quality snacks.

If you have never been to Moab, go. It is at the entrance to Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park, and the drive to Moab (about 4 hours plus from Salt Lake City) has amazing scenery as well."

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2010