If you’ve ever dreamt of seeing the Tetons, this is your big chance. The Tetons have inspired countless hikers, backpackers, mountaineers, and explorers throughout history. John Wayne’s film acting debut The Big Trail was filmed here in 1930 as well as the western classic Shane (1953). Grand Teton National Park …
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If you’ve ever dreamt of seeing the Tetons, this is your big chance. The Tetons have inspired countless hikers, backpackers, mountaineers, and explorers throughout history. John Wayne’s film acting debut The Big Trail was filmed here in 1930 as well as the western classic Shane (1953). Grand Teton National Park contains over 200 miles of trails to discover including one that American Indians and fur trappers may have used in the 1820s. You could even paddle a canoe or raft the world famous Snake River.
While you’re here, come enjoy this gorgeous half marathon. The Grand Teton Half Marathon takes place in the town of Jackson, Wyoming, just outside the entrance to Grand Teton National Park. It’s a beautiful course with captivating views of snow capped mountain peaks, huge gulps of crisp fresh air, and maybe even some wildlife.
The race starts at 6:30 AM sharp with cutoff at 10:30 AM. That provides runners (and even walkers) 4 full hours to take in the scenery and make your way to the finish line.
To be clear, this race doesn’t take place inside the National Park. (It’s difficult to get permission to conduct private business activities on national land, and rightly so.) Having said that, this is about as close to the park as it gets.
This is a GREAT course! Possibly our prettiest ever! It’s very scenic and the finish line has some amazing views of the Teton range! You don’t want to miss out on running this.
The race starts in Wilson, WY by running along Teton Pass Hwy (Hwy 22) for a little over a mile and then jumping onto a jogging trail. We’ll stay on this beautiful and flat paved trail until we cross a pedestrian bridge over the Snake River! After some more road running, the course turns to a peaceful well-packed dirt road before finishing at the golf course!
The elevation change on the course is marginal. The chart makes it look like a beast, but it is only a few hundred feet. This will be a slightly challenging, but overwhelmingly beautiful course! We’ll gain 583 feet, with a max elevation at 6,383 feet.
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Vacation Races are #1
The views in this race are absolutely stunning. I had a hard time with the altitude but loved the views. I stopped and took pictures several times along the route. … MORE
The views in this race are absolutely stunning. I had a hard time with the altitude but loved the views. I stopped and took pictures several times along the route. You see the Tetons the whole route and the finish line is breathtaking. It’s worth the race just for the finish line. Vacation Races does an excellent job of communicating what to expect and helping you. You should do this race for sure!
Vacation Races are by the best!
Hands down my favorite race I've ever done! Vacation Races put on amazing events but the scenery at this one is mind blowing! Only reason I rated the course with … MORE
Hands down my favorite race I’ve ever done! Vacation Races put on amazing events but the scenery at this one is mind blowing! Only reason I rated the course with 3 shoes was the alititude. My friends struggled with that. Somehow I got a PR though so that also helped move this one to the top of my list. Seriously, Vacation Races are the best races in the US. Don’t miss out on doing one and this one is the BEST!
First Half Marathon-Did not disappoint!
This is a fantastic first half course! The gorgeous scenery distracts from the lack of air due to altitude LOL! Seriously though, those views! Omg! This is a nice easy … MORE
This is a fantastic first half course! The gorgeous scenery distracts from the lack of air due to altitude LOL! Seriously though, those views! Omg! This is a nice easy course with unbeatable views. Vacation Races put on an awesome event! Would highly recommend and totally due again! Best first half!
Grand Tetons is my favorite race
The course is great and you get to look at the Tetons the entire race. Vacation Races are my favorite races to do. I really enjoyed being able to start … MORE
The course is great and you get to look at the Tetons the entire race. Vacation Races are my favorite races to do. I really enjoyed being able to start first as a walker and get finished before it got to hot.
Magnificent scenery!
running a flat course at high altitude was a nice break for sea level folks. I can't get over the fabulous mountain view! Great for your race vacation. Take some … MORE
running a flat course at high altitude was a nice break for sea level folks. I can’t get over the fabulous mountain view! Great for your race vacation. Take some time to hike around the beautiful lakes, see the fantasic wildlife, take a float tour down the snake River, enjoy the cool, contemporary town of Jackson Hole and it’s great restaraunts and ski villages…bike the bike paths and take in the amazing scenery…Spend at least a week if you can or you’ll be so sorry.
Amazing race no matter your pace
Absolutely stunning views!! Strong support all along the course. Vacation Races is incredible no matter if you are a walker, first time half marathoner, middle of the pack, or leading … MORE
Absolutely stunning views!!
Strong support all along the course.
Vacation Races is incredible no matter if you are a walker, first time half marathoner, middle of the pack, or leading the way.
No Covid protocols
I enjoy vacation races but they eschewed all COVID protocols, even creating mass congregation with no social distancing nor masks. Other than that ok but completely mismanaged. MORE
I enjoy vacation races but they eschewed all COVID protocols, even creating mass congregation with no social distancing nor masks. Other than that ok but completely mismanaged.
Beautiful Scenery & Fantastic Overall
This race was very well organized all the way from registration through the finish line. The run offered pretty views of the Tetons throughout and the finish line at the … MORE
This race was very well organized all the way from registration through the finish line. The run offered pretty views of the Tetons throughout and the finish line at the golf course was beautiful. Medal and snacks at the end are well worth the 13.1 miles. Volunteers at the aid stations were very supportive and the stations were placed in good locations at every 2 miles. Having no cups was different to me, but an easy thing to get used to. The shuttles at the end were a bit confusing, but a really minor thing as the rest of the race day was fantastic. I’d love to run this race again as everyone was very friendly and you can’t beat the views.
Incredible
This was my 37th half marathon and my 34th state and it was, without question, the most beautiful course I've run. For the first time ever I stopped to take … MORE
This was my 37th half marathon and my 34th state and it was, without question, the most beautiful course I’ve run. For the first time ever I stopped to take pictures. There were just so many incredible views, it felt like a dream.
This was my first Vacation Race and I was just so impressed with their organization and their communication. They over communicate and it’s wonderful.
Do this race. You won’t regret it.
Nicely organized and great walks!
5K - Beautiful! Course was well marked and around the lake was amazing! Half - Also, beautiful! At times the course narrowed and was along the side of the road … MORE
5K – Beautiful! Course was well marked and around the lake was amazing!
Half – Also, beautiful! At times the course narrowed and was along the side of the road with live traffic but I never felt in danger.
Nicely organized and great walk!
The 5K was beautiful. Running / walking in the Tetons is like a dream. Path to Wilson and around the lake was flat and at no time did you feel … MORE
The 5K was beautiful. Running / walking in the Tetons is like a dream. Path to Wilson and around the lake was flat and at no time did you feel like it was a struggle.
Great race production
After package pick up, race execution went very smooth. Somewhat easy course with good views, enjoyed it. I thoroughly appreciated Vacation Races' post-race critique of their performance. Tells you they … MORE
After package pick up, race execution went very smooth. Somewhat easy course with good views, enjoyed it. I thoroughly appreciated Vacation Races’ post-race critique of their performance. Tells you they are not satisfied with less than a perfect execution. From race info emails through execution, one of the best. Thx!
Absolutely the most beautiful scenery!
Well organized and was the perfect firt time half marathon. Lots of motivation from organizers and fellow runners. If you are considering a half I'll tell you "You got this"! MORE
Well organized and was the perfect firt time half marathon. Lots of motivation from organizers and fellow runners. If you are considering a half I’ll tell you “You got this”!
Best experience of my life
I would recommend this race to everyone. Event was well-organized and ran efficiently, road course was well-marked with gorgeous views of the Teton range throughout, beautiful medals, great race shirt, … MORE
I would recommend this race to everyone. Event was well-organized and ran efficiently, road course was well-marked with gorgeous views of the Teton range throughout, beautiful medals, great race shirt, boxes of snacks and chocolate milk at the finish. It is walker-friendly, and the Explorer Challenges give you a chance to experience activities in and around the park to earn more swag.
Beautiful course.
This race was possibly the best race I've ever done. The scenery is amazing. The finish line is of the grand tetons. Bib pick up was easy and convenient. Vacation … MORE
This race was possibly the best race I’ve ever done. The scenery is amazing. The finish line is of the grand tetons. Bib pick up was easy and convenient. Vacation Races communicates very clearly to the participants.
The weather for the 5k was very hot. But it had a nice course and medal. The half marathon was perfect weather. The race had a staggered start because of covid and had a radio station we could listen to so we could stay in our car and know when to go to the start line. Originally, I had planned to take the bus from Jackson, however because it was cold outside, I decided to drive to the start line so I didn’t have to wait outside. The course was nice, mostly on paved roads with a little section of dirt roads and a bike path. Due to covid, there was supposed to be no spectators at the finish line and they requested for participants safety reasons to not drive on the road to the finish line, which was made very clear by the race company. Normally, they would have busses for the spectators to go to the finish area. Since they did not, some participants didn’t think rules applied to them and had their family members drive to the finish line area, which made the finish area very congested with cars and runners. Vacation Races sent an email subtlety calling out those who ignored the rules and apologizing to those who followed the rules, which I appreciated. The finish medals were top notch. And this finish line is my favorite, which makes waiting in the bus lines worth doing this race. Since we could not park at the finish line they had busses to take back to your car. This was my only issue, solely because the lines were right next to each other making it confusing which line was the right line to be in. However, they already sent an email saying they will work on that issue before next year. Also, not at the fault of the race company, but our bus driver got lost and we had to tell him where to go. I believe this was just our bus drivers fault because the person running the busses told the driver where to go, so he should have known. I completed the grand quad, so I ended up getting 8 stunning medals including the races the following weekend at yellowstone. I will definitely be doing this race again.
Beautiful way to spend a long weekend.
Staying in Jackson gave us plenty of shopping and dining options and would choose to stay there again over the resort village. Also motels are plentiful and seems to be … MORE
Staying in Jackson gave us plenty of shopping and dining options and would choose to stay there again over the resort village. Also motels are plentiful and seems to be the norm versus hotels. Dont be surprised, some are very nice.
Beautiful
This race was so well organized, and the course was beautiful. I love the medal. It was my first time to Grand Tetons and my first Vacation Race. I was … MORE
This race was so well organized, and the course was beautiful. I love the medal. It was my first time to Grand Tetons and my first Vacation Race. I was impressed with everything, from the bib pick up and expo down to the swag. It has the most beautiful finish line in the world.
The views were amazing!
A must do, the Grand Tetons were breathtaking. The swag is the phenomenal. Great post race recovery snacks. Volunteers and race staff were top notch! MORE
A must do, the Grand Tetons were breathtaking. The swag is the phenomenal. Great post race recovery snacks. Volunteers and race staff were top notch!
A Grand 13.1
After finally getting a chance to experience this race for myself, I now understand why it sold out so quickly. This should be a bucket list race for everyone. You … MORE
After finally getting a chance to experience this race for myself, I now understand why it sold out so quickly. This should be a bucket list race for everyone. You won’t regret it!
The course is the most gorgeous one I’ve ever run. I don’t know how it was possible, but the Tetons became more breathtaking as you progress along the entirety of the 13.1 miles. The course is well marked and stocked with amble fuel stations along the route. A majority of runners brought their own hydration packs with them, including myself, but it was good to know they were there if we needed them.
According to their website, this is considered the easiest course they offer. I would agree that compared to some of their trail and ultra races, this one is a cake walk. However, be mindful of the elevation and the temperatures at this time of year. The heatwave had more of an impact on the 5k than the half marathon this year, but still something to consider.
The finish line is located at a golf course with the a captivating panoramic view of the mountain range. I could have stay at the driving range all afternoon looking at it, but there was just too much left to explore in the park! Shuttles were provided for runners to return to the start, as this is a point to point course and no parking was permitted at the finish line due to local COVID restrictions.
As an organization, Vacation Races consistently produce the highest quality of races. They think of every detail, from their in-depth race guides, eco friendly hydration stations, and even COVID friendly drive thru bib pickups. And let me just say, their “bling” is top notch! You have so many opportunities to earn extra swag, such as completing one of their recommended hikes, which earns you a medallion or a pin. Vacation Races consistency goes out of their way to ensure their runners get the most out of your race weekend in some of the most beautiful places in the world. But don’t take my word for it. You’ll just have to see it to believe it.
beautiful views! could be more efficient
As a first time rhalf marathon runner, I was nervous regarding the logistics of the race but felt so well taken care of by the staff who sent many email … MORE
As a first time rhalf marathon runner, I was nervous regarding the logistics of the race but felt so well taken care of by the staff who sent many email communications with details of the event, and were thoughtful and thorough the days of the event. The views were beautiful and the route itself wasn’t challenging. The bathroom wait times were a bit long but the aide stations and recovery box were top notch, and despite long shuttle lines, it still moved quick! Am doing it again next year!