True Grit Epic MTB 2027
About This Event
Set in the desert landscape of Santa Clara, Utah, the True Grit Epic MTB serves as the season opener for the National Ultra Endurance Series. This GRO Races production caps the field at 850 participants and offers multiple distance options, from the punishing TG 100 Epic to shorter challenges.
The course begins in downtown Santa Clara before diving into the rugged terrain south of town. Riders navigate sandy washes, technical rock formations, intricate single-track, and towering ridges that offer sweeping views of red rock country. The route weaves through three distinct riding areas: Red Bluff, Curly Hollow, and Boomer Hill within the Santa Clara River Reserve. Iconic trails like Zen, Bear-Claw Poppy, Stucki Springs, Rim Runner, and Barrel Roll define the course’s technical character. Pre-riding is strongly recommended due to challenging sections.
The TG 100 Epic covers two demanding laps totaling 88 miles with 12,295 feet of climbing, typically taking around 6.5 hours to complete. The TG 50 Epic offers a single lap at 44 miles and 6,197 feet of elevation, finished in just over three hours. A TG 25 Relay splits the 50-mile course between two riders, while the condensed TG 15 Challenge samples the True Grit experience with highlights like Rim Runner Loops and Barrel Roll.
For the truly ambitious, the Extreme Grit Stage Race combines three days: the TG 50 course, a self-supported gravel ride, and the True Grit Gravel Epic. Aid stations provide food, hydration, first aid, and mechanical support at strategic points—two for the 50-mile distance, four for the 100-mile route. Strict cutoff times enforce a 6 PM finish deadline.
Post-race festivities transform Santa Clara’s streets with food trucks, Salt Fire Brewing, and live music from Sky Adobe. The event awards a $5,000 cash purse to category winners, who also earn automatic entries for the following year.
National Ultra Endurance Race Series (NUE)
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