The Moab Trail Marathon takes runners through some of the most spectacular canyon country on Earth, combining narrow single-track, rugged jeep trails, sandy washes, and signature Moab slickrock across terrain that changes constantly to keep the miles engaging. The course winds through Kane Creek Canyon area, offering views of towering red rock walls, distant 12,000-foot La Sal Mountains, and glimpses into Canyonlands National Park.

The marathon features about 3,500 feet of elevation gain and loss with two major climbs—a gradual ascent early on and a shorter, steeper climb after the halfway point. Runners traverse narrow canyons with vertical walls on both sides, travel along canyon rim-tops with sweeping vistas, and navigate sections requiring fixed rope traverses. The course passes ancient pictographs, natural arches, and springs where aid stations are strategically positioned in remote locations.

Fast runners typically finish under four hours, running all but the fixed rope sections, while most participants combine running and hiking to finish in five to six hours. The Saturday half marathon follows the first nine miles of the marathon course before branching into Kane Creek Drainage, a rarely traveled canyon featuring hard-packed sand and shallow water crossings.

The event serves as host to the USATF Trail Half Marathon National Championship and offers multiple race options across the weekend. Saturday features the marathon, half marathon, adventure 10K, and kids’ race, while Sunday offers an additional half marathon. The Collegiate Trail Championships adds competitive depth for college runners competing for team and individual titles. Aid stations provide comprehensive hydration and fuel support throughout the challenging terrain, and the event includes finisher medals, age group prizes, and cash purses for top half marathon finishers.