The team at Strambecco rates the Best Trail Running events Southwest 2025 based on various factors, including reputation, route quality, location, runner feedback, and the overall uniqueness of the event or race.  Spanning California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico, the Southwest terrain features of Strambecco’s best list includes mountains, canyons, mesas, buttes, high broad basins, plateaus, desert lands, and some plains characteristic of the Basin and Range Province. The entire southwestern region features semi-arid to arid terrain.

Our list of Best Trail Running Events Southwest 2025 is chock-full of outstanding trail events spanning the Ultra, Marathon, and Half-Marathon categories.  The granddaddy of them all is the Western States 100 in June, an event requiring qualification.  There are Western States Qualifier events all over the country and several on our Southwest list.  Another prestigious event is the Wasatch Front 100 in July, a Grand Slam of Ultra Running event and a Rocky Mountain Slam event.  There are several events on the list: UTMB Global Series events, an international series culminating in the famed UTMB Mt. Blanc (France) in August.  Lastly, check out events on our list from the Leadville Race Series and  Vacation Races, which offer premier destination events at amazing locations, including Zion and Bryce National Parks.

Strambecco does not list every event.  We strive to identify and review events that are special and noteworthy.  If you have suggestions on other events we should consider or review, please get in touch with us here or send us a note at editors@strambecco.com.