Grand Teton Races
Alta, WY
- 50K, Marathon, 10K
- Trail (Unpaved)
- Official race website
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GORGEOUS course, challenging!
Once upon a time, this race had 10K, Marathon, 50K, and 50-mile distances to choose from; due to permitting, though, they've had to reduce the number of distances that they … MORE
Once upon a time, this race had 10K, Marathon, 50K, and 50-mile distances to choose from; due to permitting, though, they’ve had to reduce the number of distances that they currently offer. That said, I ran the trail marathon in 2012. As a native flatlander, this race remains the hardest that I’ve ever run as (of January 2015) — the course starts at around 7500′, and the marathon quickly rose to about 9700′ within the first 2 miles.
The course starts and ends at a ski resort, and it’s arranged in a cloverleaf formation that allows you to comes through the start/finish area a number of times during the race. In addition to the gorgeous scenery that includes an unobstructed view of The Grand, I will say that this was the most impeccably-marked course I’ve ever run; at one point, I was running by myself for THREE HOURS without having seen another runner traveling in my direction, but never once did I think that I might be lost or off-course.
The race wasn’t held in 2014, but it’s my understanding that it will come back in 2015 — I really hope that it’s held again in the future, this is one of my favorite races that I’ve had the privilege of running.