Behind the Rocks Ultra starts and finishes at the Behind the Rocks Trail, along the border of the Behind the Rocks Wilderness Study Area. Moab’s last hidden gem; its tall standing Navajo Sandstone domes and fins can be seen from many places along the course. This course traverses some remote …
MORE
Behind the Rocks Ultra starts and finishes at the Behind the Rocks Trail, along the border of the Behind the Rocks Wilderness Study Area. Moab’s last hidden gem; its tall standing Navajo Sandstone domes and fins can be seen from many places along the course. This course traverses some remote trails, and gives you the opportunity to enjoy the desert solitude.
From smooth double track to sandy washes, technical doubletrack, and challenging singletrack, Behind the Rocks Ultra will test you mentally and physically. While the 10 Mile and 30K can give runners an introduction to Moab trail running, the 50 mile course is among our most challenging events. It includes some technical down climbs and rim running that offer amazing views of arches and rock formations. As runners close in on the finish line, they’ll see it nestled just below the La Sal Mountain Range.
A great place to enjoy the finish line with a great community! With free camping at the start/finish line, you’re welcome to spend the weekend. Bring your cooler, stocked with your favorite post race drinks, and stay for the fun!
LESS
The Never Ending Amzing Race
Some Races you win and some Races you lose. I have ran this one several times, always good weather and always a tough race. This, back got hurt and some … MORE
Some Races you win and some Races you lose. I have ran this one several times, always good weather and always a tough race. This, back got hurt and some other issues. But the folks are always the best. This group has a much higher caliber of runners. Lots of hills, ups and downs. 4,000 ft. elevation gain, lots of sand and dirt. Aid stations are well done. Swag is always the best. If you can, do the triple crown, also interesting. Family ran company, you will like it. Fill free to ask questions.
Nice run around the park
Good weather early on, Dirt road and trials, great views, lots of hills but not crazy hills. Good Turn out, you will love this race. Family owned running group, all … MORE
Good weather early on, Dirt road and trials, great views, lots of hills but not crazy hills. Good Turn out, you will love this race. Family owned running group, all runners. Well done every time. Dusty but thats better than mud.
Great course for a good time.
This course is all dirt road, jeep trails. Great scenery, some hills, good location, easy to get to, most of the time. A back country race. Attached is one of … MORE
This course is all dirt road, jeep trails. Great scenery, some hills, good location, easy to get to, most of the time. A back country race. Attached is one of the great views in this race.
Awesome Utah Race!
This is ultra/marathon #19 for me and it's one of my favorites! Here's what made the experience so memorable: -the course is gorgeous. You see snow-capped mountains, desert, views for … MORE
This is ultra/marathon #19 for me and it’s one of my favorites! Here’s what made the experience so memorable:
-the course is gorgeous. You see snow-capped mountains, desert, views for miles. This race is authentically Utah!
-The course is challenging, but not excessively so.
-They personalized the race. The bibs have our names on them, they shout out something special about you over the loud speaker at the finish line, the race director talked to me multiple times etc.
-SWAG is solid: I love the trucker hat, medal, and bib!
-Moab is such a cool place so there is plenty of other fun to have other than race day
-Aid stations have everything you need, including sunscreen! I brought lots of water storage and everything else was provided.
-The course is well-marked. It’s easy to navigate throughout the course.
-The race director is awesome. She’s REALLY good at her job!
Other notes to consider:
-There is no shade on the course. The sun is relentless too. Make sure to bring a hat and sunglasses. Sunscreen is provided at every aid station. You’ll need it!
-There are fewer aid stations than other races I have done. This is because the race is in a REALLY remote location. It was a warm day (80+ degrees at the finish) and I still had plenty of water though. I brought 40 ounces of water and I drink a lot. That was enough, even on a warm day. Make sure to bring a lot of water storage.
-The course is quite remote so cell service is spotty at best. Don’t plan on regular communication with friends and family while on the course.
-On a warm day it can get really toasty. There is a lot of rock running and the
-It’s the desert in March so the pre-dawn temps are about half what they will be at the finish. It was 40 degrees when we started, 80 at the finish. I brought an old shirt and gloves to stay warm before the start. I threw them away right as the race started.
-I like the design of the T-shirt, but it’s mostly cotton so I wouldn’t run in it. I probably won’t wear it. I wish it were a tech-tshirt instead.
-This race gets an A+ up and down the list. Loved the race!
Beautiful Scenery - Tough Cutoffs! DNF
Very technical trails, very little flat runnable area. Lots of sandy roads and rocks including Jacobs Ladder! Great support and breath taking scenery but the cutoffs are really tough for … MORE
Very technical trails, very little flat runnable area. Lots of sandy roads and rocks including Jacobs Ladder! Great support and breath taking scenery but the cutoffs are really tough for average runners 50k might be better option. DNF AT MILE 38 cutoff.
Good destination race
Late March is one of the best times to visit Moab and Southern Utah in my opinion: the trails are usually snow free, the temperatures are pleasant (normally around 30-60F), … MORE
Late March is one of the best times to visit Moab and Southern Utah in my opinion: the trails are usually snow free, the temperatures are pleasant (normally around 30-60F), but hordes of tourists didn’t come to Canyonlands, Arches and other popular areas yet.
Why not to visit Moab, explore absolutely stunning nature around it, camp and run a race?
Distances to choose from are from 10 to 50 miles.
Elevation gain is just over 4000′ for 50k, so not much of uphill.
Mad Moose Events organizes a lot of races and knows what it’s doing.
There is free camping at the start/finish line (and some participants and organizers arrive couple days early).
You need to drive 2.5 miles on the dirt road to get to the start. Most of the cars would be fine, but the ones with very low clearance may not be able to make it.
The views on the course are amazing. The course itself includes quite a bit of running on sandy roads which are not as much fun as single track, but I still enjoyed it and there is also single track, slabs, rocks and even a little bit of easy scrambling.
Aid stations are a little sparse, but the food is great. Thank you to all the volunteers!
As for my personal performance: everything went smoothly enough, no unpleasant surprises, but it was the first long race of the year and I was expectantly slow.