Best Trail Running Events in the Southwest 2023
The team at Strambecco rated the Top Gravel events in the Southwest for 2023 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.
The Southwest is chock-full of outstanding trail events spanning the Ultra, Marathon, and Half-Marathon categories. The granddaddy of them 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. Several events on the list are 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.
The final leg in the Southern Arizona Triple 50 Series and a qualifier event for the prestigious Angeles Crest 100. The course consists of a 25-mile loop on forest service roads and…
Falling into our “bucket list” trail running events, the Catalina Island Marathon is one to check off your list. California’s oldest trail marathon in one of the most beautiful locations in the…
This is a stunningly beautiful early-season race through the spectacular Arizona desert landscape. The Antelope Canyon region is one of the most photographed places in the country and is sacred to the…
This is an amazing opportunity to mix a Spring vacation in the stunning Zion National Park and throw in an epic Ultra Trail event! Zion Ultras comprises four options: 100 Mile, 100K;…
Canyons Endurance Runs, produced by Epic Endurance Events, is a qualifier for both the UTMB World Series Finals and the Western States 100. The event starts in the historic gold-rush town of…
This scenic mountain course runs around the northern half and western edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau, offering spectacular views above and below the hoodoos. The race is run at high elevation, with…
An epic 100-mile trail run from Olympic Valley to Auburn, CA, in one day on the last weekend of June. It is the world’s oldest 100 trail race, starting in 1974 as…
The Tushars Mountain Run, organized by the Aravaipa Running group, is billed as one of “the toughest, most spectacular mountain races in North America.” The event is staged out of the Eagle…
Gemini Adventures brings three challenging trail runs to the Land of Enchantment in Red River, New Mexico, with the Enchanted Forest Trail Races event. Runners can register for a Heavy Half course…
The Moab Trail Marathon, Half, And Adventure 5k checks the boxes of everything you want in a race: challenging terrain, epic views, fabulous event organization, and race variety. The event spans a…
The final leg in the Southern Arizona Triple 50 Series and a qualifier event for the prestigious Angeles Crest 100. The course consists of a 25-mile loop on forest service roads and…
Falling into our “bucket list” trail running events, the Catalina Island Marathon is one to check off your list. California’s oldest trail marathon in one of the most beautiful locations in the…
This is a stunningly beautiful early-season race through the spectacular Arizona desert landscape. The Antelope Canyon region is one of the most photographed places in the country and is sacred to the…
This is an amazing opportunity to mix a Spring vacation in the stunning Zion National Park and throw in an epic Ultra Trail event! Zion Ultras comprises four options: 100 Mile, 100K;…
Canyons Endurance Runs, produced by Epic Endurance Events, is a qualifier for both the UTMB World Series Finals and the Western States 100. The event starts in the historic gold-rush town of…
This scenic mountain course runs around the northern half and western edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau, offering spectacular views above and below the hoodoos. The race is run at high elevation, with…
An epic 100-mile trail run from Olympic Valley to Auburn, CA, in one day on the last weekend of June. It is the world’s oldest 100 trail race, starting in 1974 as…
The Tushars Mountain Run, organized by the Aravaipa Running group, is billed as one of “the toughest, most spectacular mountain races in North America.” The event is staged out of the Eagle…
Gemini Adventures brings three challenging trail runs to the Land of Enchantment in Red River, New Mexico, with the Enchanted Forest Trail Races event. Runners can register for a Heavy Half course…
The Moab Trail Marathon, Half, And Adventure 5k checks the boxes of everything you want in a race: challenging terrain, epic views, fabulous event organization, and race variety. The event spans a…