This has quickly become a favorite of thousands to cap off their racing season! Join us for a fun night under the stars at the Joshua Tree Half Marathon. As the sun dips below the horizon, the party begins with a night race through the desert! The Joshua Tree Half …
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This has quickly become a favorite of thousands to cap off their racing season! Join us for a fun night under the stars at the Joshua Tree Half Marathon. As the sun dips below the horizon, the party begins with a night race through the desert!
The Joshua Tree Half Marathon is a one-of-a-kind night race – a unique experience within the National Park Half Marathons series! The course starts and ends in Joshua Tree, CA at Joshua Tree Lake RV & Campground, just 20 minutes from the entrance to Joshua Tree National Park. If you’ve run with us before, you know that the scenery is extremely important to us when we choose our courses. We tried something different with this event. While the course itself isn’t necessarily scenic, the night sky and open desert make this an adventure to remember!
This course is a challenging course through the Mojave Desert near Copper Mountain. This will be a night run. Running through the desert at night comes with unique challenges. The course will not have lighting.
With the exception of a quarter mile at the start and a one mile section in the middle, this course is entirely on dirt roads and trails. The dirt roads will have sand on them adding to the challenge of this course. The loose sand on course that, depending on recent weather and traffic conditions, can range from hard packed dirt to deep sand (imagine running on the beach).
The darkness and the loose sand make this a challenging course and not stroller friendly. Runners should take these conditions into consideration when choosing this race.
*Headlights are required
**Gaiters and buffs/bandanas/etc. are recommended
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Coolest Night Race Ever!
Vacation Races (4th Event with them) has some of the best and most well organized events in the country. This night race was my first ever and doing it outside … MORE
Vacation Races (4th Event with them) has some of the best and most well organized events in the country. This night race was my first ever and doing it outside of Joshua Tree National Park was amazing! Always love the people who coordinate it, the swag, the medals (ok, really one of my strongest reasons to run these races, the coolest and most artistic medals ever), and just the overall vide. Wish I could do more events, just don’t have enough time in the year.
Very Fun Night Race
I would not go into this expecting a PR (someone beforehand told me to add 30 minutes to my usual half marathon time and that felt pretty accurate) but I … MORE
I would not go into this expecting a PR (someone beforehand told me to add 30 minutes to my usual half marathon time and that felt pretty accurate) but I really enjoyed this race. It was sandy but still runnable. The night scenery was cool but I wish it started 30-60 minutes earlier to get more of the sunset on the run. Plenty of aid stations that ran very smoothly.
The two main downsides for me: the course felt hillier than I think it actually was. There were 2 big hills that were clearly communicated beforehand, but it felt very gradually uphill for 10 of the 13 miles. The post race party was not great- a few snacks given at the end but nothing substantial, and we left pretty quickly. Still- would run again!
Night run at its finest
I’m a repeat offender to this race but due to an injury just walked it this year which is thanks to Vacationraces’ generous time limits no problem. I gave a … MORE
I’m a repeat offender to this race but due to an injury just walked it this year which is thanks to Vacationraces’ generous time limits no problem.
I gave a 5star review for the scenery because although you don’t really see anything due to the fact that it is at night, one starts out with running into the sunset and then has the rest of the race to marvel at the night sky with millions of stars and the Milky Way.
It is quite Sandy the first two miles, but then changes into hard packed sand with even a stretch on paved roads.
Plus, the medals are glow-in-the-dark😊
I’ll be back next year!!
I saw a meteor! ‘Nuff said!
This is my sixth half marathon with Vacation Races. The team never disappoints. Some say this course was challenging, but Antelope Canyon was, by far, the hardest. The best part … MORE
This is my sixth half marathon with Vacation Races. The team never disappoints. Some say this course was challenging, but Antelope Canyon was, by far, the hardest.
The best part of the course? I saw a meteor! And you can’t ask for anything better!
2nd Vacation Race
I had registered and postponed many times over the years, but I finally made it! Running in the sand was very tough. I recommend you trail run before this race. … MORE
I had registered and postponed many times over the years, but I finally made it! Running in the sand was very tough. I recommend you trail run before this race. Don’t forget to pause and look at the stars!
Running JT half marathon
It was a great run breathing in the fresh air Feeling the cold breeze , the track was a challenge if your only used to pavement but it was a … MORE
It was a great run breathing in the fresh air
Feeling the cold breeze , the track was a challenge if your only used to pavement but it was a good night run!
Spectacular scenery, great atmosphere!
This was my first 1/2 marathon and it was a blast. My whole family came and we made it a camping weekend. The campground was prefect, I highly recommend it. … MORE
This was my first 1/2 marathon and it was a blast. My whole family came and we made it a camping weekend. The campground was prefect, I highly recommend it. Vacation Races did a fabulous job with the event. Well-organized and super fun. Will definitely be looking for another race with them. The sandy course through the desert itself was challenging … so many other racers were surprised I chose it as my fist race, but I’d always wanted to visit Joshua Tree and running under the stars seemed like a recipe for magic – and it was! 🙂
Incredible first half marathon
This was an incredible experience for my first half. The race was extremely well managed and the organizers made this a very easy and welcoming experience. The course was very … MORE
This was an incredible experience for my first half. The race was extremely well managed and the organizers made this a very easy and welcoming experience.
The course was very challenging, at night with lots of sand, but it was well marked and tons of amenities along the way. Also running under the full sky of stars was breathtaking.
The energy of the other participants was welcoming as well and made for a run experience.
Although this was my first race, I spoke to many people who were impressed by the production quality and how the race was managed.
So much dust
This race has great potential, but is a one and done for me. Vacation Races in general is a great company. Well run races, good merch, better medals. This is … MORE
This race has great potential, but is a one and done for me. Vacation Races in general is a great company. Well run races, good merch, better medals. This is maybe my 8th. The campground the race starts at is super cute. Parking was easy. Expo same day. Weather is perfect for running. Maybe 60 when we started. Race starts at sunset and has a great view of the mountains. This is a good distraction from the long, dusty, sand roads you’ll be running. Like all their national park races—you aren’t in the park. You are on boring neighborhood roads with small houses, barking dogs, and loads of dirt. This race should give buffs as swag. You will inhale so much dust that it’s hard to breathe. 90% of the race. The uphill portion is supposed to be the first three miles. What it seemed like for 13 miles is you were either going up or on flats. I remember only a short downhill. They advertise the stars and yes they are beautiful when you turn your headlamp off. However, wearing a headlamp for 13.1 miles is not fun. Running in sand is hard. Breathing heavy dust is difficult. And the stars are beautiful whether you’re running or not. The finish was eventful. No fires or mylar. It was cold. No reason to stay really. The end of race snack box was great vegetarian 100%. Would love to see VR give out plant based milk after. Not everyone is a baby cow. Medal glows in the dark for this one. Kind of fun. The location of the race to the national park was good/better than others.
A race to remember
There is something magical about a night trail race in the desert. The course is a sandy trail that can be challenging, and yet I found it to be one … MORE
There is something magical about a night trail race in the desert. The course is a sandy trail that can be challenging, and yet I found it to be one of the easiest half marathons to complete. The people, the experience, and most of all the scenery (beautiful views before it got dark; lights of fellow runners afterwards) were mesmerizing. If you use RaceJoy (and headphones), you also got a fun fact each mile.
Absolutely magical to run at night!
Running at night in the desert is really special! I recommend everyone do it at least once. I wouldn’t necessarily say that you need to do this race to do … MORE
Running at night in the desert is really special! I recommend everyone do it at least once. I wouldn’t necessarily say that you need to do this race to do that though. This race company is very organized. The course entries are expensive and they don’t do a great job with snacks and swag. The race expo could have been way better. More vendors would have really filled it out. Since they had a captive audience they really needed to have more things to offer. The participants in this race obviously were not accustomed to trail running and trail running procedures(Stay right, except to pass) so that was frustrating, but hey, nothing is perfect.To repeat myself. This race is worth doing at least once. I am not in a hurry to sign up for another one with VR.
Would do it again!
My last half marathon race was in 2017. I told myself I would do one more at 40yrs old and here I am. I finished and I felt great and … MORE
My last half marathon race was in 2017. I told myself I would do one more at 40yrs old and here I am. I finished and I felt great and now I plan to do a half marathon a year. I enjoyed this course because it was at night and enjoyed the beautiful night sky. It was cool to look ahead and look back at all the headlamps and colorful vests moving along. The weather was perfect. The course was quite difficult considering the different types of terrain. Aid stations were always stocked and volunteers were very nice and supportive.
Great
This race was great I thought the sand was difficult to run in so probably practice that a little bit. The race was beautiful but if your looking for scenery … MORE
This race was great I thought the sand was difficult to run in so probably practice that a little bit. The race was beautiful but if your looking for scenery for majority of the race you don’t see much after mile 4 because it gets pitch dark but the stars were extremely cool so it is worth running.
Most challenging, Most beautiful!
This is a tough race! Sand and gravel, in the dark, but oh so much fun! My most challenging so far - harder than the half I did in deep … MORE
This is a tough race! Sand and gravel, in the dark, but oh so much fun! My most challenging so far – harder than the half I did in deep snow a few years ago 😂 Make sure you have a good headlamp! Excellent race organization… I’ll be there next year!
Fun night Race
Sunset at start line was awesome. First two miles were the most challenging part with the path being vary narrow and the sand thick. Everything was flat after but required … MORE
Sunset at start line was awesome. First two miles were the most challenging part with the path being vary narrow and the sand thick. Everything was flat after but required eyes on the path to avoid tripping.
Awesome race
Awesome race Discourse is a challenge. It’s a great uphill fly out in a little bit of road. It’s an amazing race at night and the stars are beautiful the … MORE
Awesome race Discourse is a challenge. It’s a great uphill fly out in a little bit of road. It’s an amazing race at night and the stars are beautiful the runners are also friendly and the staff and volunteers are very cool
Unique with an Energetic Vibe
I find the energy, inclusiveness and scenery to be absolutely incredible for this race!! All of the staff were so positive and friendly. It seemed that they wanted everyone to … MORE
I find the energy, inclusiveness and scenery to be absolutely incredible for this race!! All of the staff were so positive and friendly. It seemed that they wanted everyone to have the best experience possible. First off, I got to the race early to enjoy the music, camaraderie and ambiance. Then, I sat near the beautiful duck pond and took in all of the incredible natural landscapes surrounding me as the sun slowly began to make its decent to nightfall. Then, it was race time. We walked to the start line in our waves to the tunes of U2. That’s when I began feeling tremendous optimism about the race ahead. The sun slowly set as we walked closer and closer to the start line. Then, the race began. Upon making it to the crest of the hill on mile 2, you could see an afterglow in the sky and city lights in the distance. It was peaceful and soothing. When you approach the aid stations, the volunteers were over-the-top friendly and encouraging. I also enjoyed listening to the updates on expected finish time and pacing markers presented on Race Joy, the app where you can share your real-time results with others. The most difficult stretch for me was from mile 9 to 11.42. It was a dark section of the course with a lot of “false flat” terrain that seemed never-ending. However, (do I dare share a spoiler alert?…If you don’t want to be spoiled don’t read this part) at mile 11.42 you make a left turn and it is all downhill (yay recovery time) for another mile. Then, as you approach mile 13 you can hear the energetic announcer congratulating the finishers in the distance. Finally, you hit the multi-colored lights and final stretch with the roar of the crowd…Woohoo!!! The finish line!!! That’s when the party begins!!! 🙂
I have partaken in the LA, OC, Long Beach and Surf City full-marathons….This one (Of course it’s half compared to full, BUT), my running friends, is the absolute best and most well organized race of them all. I highly recommend and encourage you to attend in the future!!! Happy Running!!!
Beautiful sunset at the start line!
Train in “beach” sand to be prepared for the super soft dirt roads which account for the majority of the distance. It gets dark, really fast, I wish the race … MORE
Train in “beach” sand to be prepared for the super soft dirt roads which account for the majority of the distance. It gets dark, really fast, I wish the race started an hour earlier to have more time to enjoy the scenery.
My favorite race of all time!
This is my third year running Joshua Tree and I love it! I tell everyone about this race! The beauty is astonishing! Plus, having a race at night is good … MORE
This is my third year running Joshua Tree and I love it! I tell everyone about this race! The beauty is astonishing! Plus, having a race at night is good for those of us who don’t love mornings. The entire vibe of the race is so friendly and welcoming! My husband ran it with me last year, and one of the things he commented on was that very thing. Even the announcements and the raffles, etc. are a blast! I will never miss this race, ever!!!!!!
The view from the back of the pack
Vacation Races puts on great events, not missing any details. I've done Saguaro and RMNP. Joshua Tree is an OK event if you like running in sand, for a long … MORE
Vacation Races puts on great events, not missing any details. I’ve done Saguaro and RMNP. Joshua Tree is an OK event if you like running in sand, for a long time. The sunset over the mountains at the beginning of the event is something to remember, so that scenery was awesome. Once this is complete, running in loose sand is a challenge. It’s difficult to concentrate on the beautiful starlit sky when you’re constantly looking for good footing. Many people enjoy it, but I for one can definitely do without a sand run anytime soon. If you are allergic to dust, take appropriate precautions. Although trail running shoes & gaitors are not required, I would highly recommend them.
The volunteers, system coordination and the entire event was 1st class. I’ll do a different Vacation Race next time.
We explored Joshua Tree NP the day before. It is phenomenal. We also did a Stargazing evening with http://www.addicted2wonder.com. It was 1st class.
Joshua Tree is an excellent place to visit AND participate in the run at night.