True Adventure
The wild red rock canyons and rainbow hills around Richfield, Utah offer endless exploration and adventure. This run links together several canyons, dry washes, remote sections of the Paiute ATV Trail systems, and the brand new Pahvant Mountain Bike Trail System*, into a very unique experience. Run up a slot-like red rock canyon, trek atop a packed natural clay fin under colorful hills, power up and speed down remote trails, and catch great vistas along ridgelines. There will be a 10km, 25km (approximately 16 miles) and a 50km ultra (approximately 32 miles).
The 25km runs up the magical Dairy Canyon, out Flat Canyon, a loop out Cathedral Canyon, up the red rock roller coaster of trail 84, both the upper and lower sections of the Faulty MTB trail, down along the spectacular Scorpion Ridge overlooking Cottonwood Canyon, and ending on several other brand new single track trails created since 2019, including the Cairn-Age and Tank Run trails.
The 10km runs up the new Big Red and Kiln-It Trail to aid station #6, and there connects with the 25km route coming back down Cairn-Age & Tank Run
The 50km will start with a loop up to near the summit of Table Mountain, with great views of Willow Creek Canyon, before descending both the upper and lower branches of Ken’s Canyon. After passing back through the starting area, the 50km then follows the 25km route described above. The 50km runs in 4 total canyons, and along the rim of a 2 others.
This is a trail run, with a light sprinkling of adventure elements. The large majority of the race is run on trails or streambeds, but the 25km and 50km hit two canyons with a little climbing or easy scrambling over boulders. Both distances run through the lower 2 miles of Dairy Canyon with several small overhangs, a few fallen boulders, and a 4-foot ledge at the end (with a step and rope to assist). In Cathedral Canyon there is one small easy ledge. Besides these two canyons where runners might need to use hands, the rest of the course is pure, glorious running. The 10km is run on groomed bike trails and a gravel mountain road, but it still has some good elevation changes.
The Run
Racing in the heart of Panoramaland involves running in dry streambeds/washes, traveling on defined yet remote sections of the Paiute ATV trail, hitting sections of the brand new Pahvant Trail (mountain bike) System, and of course occasionally clambering over sandstone boulders or overhangs in your path. These are all part of the Fishlake National Forest.
Elevation Gain
* 10km (6.2 miles) 1220 feet / 372 meters (time limit 3 hours)
* 25km (16.5 miles) 3196 feet / 974 meters (time limit 8 hours)
* 50km (31.9 miles) 5430 feet / 1655 (time limit 12 hours)
Getting There and Logistics
Richfield is located in Central Utah, about an 1hr 45min drive South of Provo, and about 1hr 40min North of Cedar City. There are many hotels to choose from in Richfield, as well as a KOA. Our race partner hotel, Ramada of Richfield is actually the very closest to the starting line. They have discount pricing for race participants. A field close to the event will also be available for free camping. Packet Pickup will be the afternoon before at [UPDATE} the Lion’s Park where the race starts/ends from 5-8PM. Morning-of pickup is discouraged, but available if you arrive at least 45 minutes before your race begins. Races start at 7:00 AM (50 km), 7:30 AM (25km), and 8:00 AM (10km). As we get closer to the race, required health precautions will be communicated, but things are trending towards more normalcy post-pandemic. Timing will be chipped again by Runnercard.com. There will be several aid stations throughout the course, stocked with standard ultra fare, including Hammer gels, fizz, & Heed. Given distances in rugged canyons and time (1 to 2 hours between stations), all runners MUST carry a personal hydration solution. Drop bags will be available at two aid stations for 50km runners, and on one for 25km runners.
LESS
Tough course, great scenery
I ran the 50k which includes the loop the half marathoners run plus an additional 20 mile loop. The 50 milers run the same course with the addition of 4 … MORE
I ran the 50k which includes the loop the half marathoners run plus an additional 20 mile loop. The 50 milers run the same course with the addition of 4 extra, smaller loops. The half marathon loop was more difficult than the 20 mile loop with several steep climbs (there’s only 1 steep climb on the 20 mile loop) followed by steep descents. I took poles on that loop and was glad I did!
The course is very scenic (the race website does a good job of representing the race). It is typical Utah desert redrock and includes a slot canyon or two.
The race does a good job with their aid stations and the volunteers are fantastic!
I highly recommend the race website. They do a great job describing the course and there are even YouTube videos of parts of the course.
I enjoyed the race and will definitely consider running it again.
Can't wait to run all of it next year!
I course swept for the ultra loop (first loop for the ultra runners- the loop the marathoners don't see). No one could possibly accuse the race director of not marking … MORE
I course swept for the ultra loop (first loop for the ultra runners- the loop the marathoners don’t see). No one could possibly accuse the race director of not marking the course well enough! As the final runner through this loop, I had no problem finding the route, even though it criss-crossed the stream several times. The stream was dry and there were several signs or tape at each possible intersection to make sure no one got lost. The scenery was fantastic- think Moab without crowds- and the fall colors were beautiful! The pictures on the website are absolutely what you will see!
Aid stations were well stocked with everything from peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, to pickles to red velvet cookies! There was soda, water, and electrolytes at the aid stations as well. The volunteers were super friendly! I left feeling like I had new friends!
The medals this year were made of wood and looked really fantastic. You can see them if you look up the race on facebook. The first and second place winners in each of the different races had an additional tag on their medal that said “first place” or “second place.”
There was homemade chili made by the race director’s mom, who was there visiting with all the runners at the finish. There was also artisan bread and more cookies! It was a very small town race, with world-class scenery! The race starts and ends at the town park (plenty of parking and shade) right next to the town swimming pool. The mayor welcomed all the runners the night before at the pre-race packet pick-up/dinner (I don’t think it’s worth it to buy the pasta dinner). The mayor invited all the runners to enjoy the pool for free while in town. I felt like that was nice and know some runners took advantage of the showers at the pool before heading out of town.
The only suggestion I would have for this race would be to have more “cold” food items at the park aid station/finish line. The weather this year was pretty warm and it would have been nice to have something like watermelon or grapes for the runners who would be hitting that aid station in the middle of the day before heading out on their next loop. And maybe an even earlier start time just so the ultra runners can get through the exposed section before it gets too hot out. (I’m a pansy in the heat- maybe it wasn’t a problem for anyone else.)