Run the beautiful road to Zion. This course is a challenging but incredibly beautiful steady climb towards the mouth of main Zion Canyon. Chase the sunrise over The Watchman and come run below the vibrant cliffs. Don’t miss this chance to run in the desert and end in the lovely town of Springdale.
This is a paved course, making it friendlier for all runners!
The race begins in Virgin, UT where participants will run on a partially closed road that winds and climbs uphill as it follows the curves of the Virgin River.
You’ll run on Hwy 9 through small but unique towns before getting on a paved path parallel to the road passing the town of Grafton and through Rockville with stunning views of the south west side of Zion.
You’ll finish in Springdale in front of Cable Mountain Lodge near the gateway to the South entrance of Zion National Park!
Expect about 6 aid stations on the course at around mile 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, and 12. A medic will be stationed typically at the aid station at or near mile 7. Keep in mind, the exact location of each aid station may vary from race to race. Aid stations include toilets, water, Gnarly Hydrate, Honey Stinger gels, basic first aid supplies, and sometimes more.
All stations are cup-free so plan to bring your own hydration solution or request a FREE Nathan reusable cup when you register.
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Amazing first time half marathon!
Everything ran smoothly! Communication leading up for the race was clear. Race day was fun and enjoyable. Everyone was so supportive and hyped. And the scenery was a plus!! I … MORE
Everything ran smoothly! Communication leading up for the race was clear. Race day was fun and enjoyable. Everyone was so supportive and hyped. And the scenery was a plus!! I would totally run this one again. As well as the night one! This has defiantly got me hooked and will be doing all the vacation races!
Great destination weekend trip
The race itself was ok, absolutely freezing the entire course and even worse at the end, everyone was cuddled in the available open store spaces at the finish line. The … MORE
The race itself was ok, absolutely freezing the entire course and even worse at the end, everyone was cuddled in the available open store spaces at the finish line. The organization has a very smooth process and communicated very well before and after the race. I will definitely sign up for more of the races they offer. This particular race is all road and I was sad to learn we saw the full course by driving it to the expo, no grand reveal or unseen scenery on race day.
Amazing production for the race - Loved
Train for the hills! This is a steady incline for the most part but mile 7 needing a big push. Great course and view! Vacation Races did a great job … MORE
Train for the hills! This is a steady incline for the most part but mile 7 needing a big push. Great course and view!
Vacation Races did a great job organizing the race from their pre-race emails to the day of production. Constant co
A race for dragons!!
If you love beautiful scenery do this race. If you want an easy race this is not for you. If you are not used to elevation get ready to be … MORE
If you love beautiful scenery do this race. If you want an easy race this is not for you. If you are not used to elevation get ready to be challenged. Every part of this race was professionally organized!
Amazing views & well organized race!
This was a very well organized race with the most spectacular views! This was my first vacation race & I guarantee it won’t be my last. Although my timing was … MORE
This was a very well organized race with the most spectacular views! This was my first vacation race & I guarantee it won’t be my last. Although my timing was awful due to battling a sinus & ear infection the race did not disappoint!
Great first time course
This race was amazing for a first time like myself. You really just keep running to see the beautiful view. It's slightly uphill but you don't even notice. Great scenery! … MORE
This race was amazing for a first time like myself. You really just keep running to see the beautiful view. It’s slightly uphill but you don’t even notice. Great scenery! Great Town! And you get to finish right at the beginning of Zion National Park with the Watchman peak looking right at you. 100% would do again!
Amazing beautiful veiws
This race was so well organized and just an overall amazing experience as a first time half-marathon runner. There were bathrooms, water, and honey stingers every few miles. The pacers … MORE
This race was so well organized and just an overall amazing experience as a first time half-marathon runner. There were bathrooms, water, and honey stingers every few miles. The pacers were great and kept you in line. Running through that finish line was so rewarding and we were right away provided with snacks and drinks to fuel up. Would highly recommend!
Great Experience
Overall great experience for a 1st time half! Highly recommend, very scenic, well organized and efficient ! Challenging but very doable even for a new runner. MORE
Overall great experience for a 1st time half! Highly recommend, very scenic, well organized and efficient ! Challenging but very doable even for a new runner.
Uphill and Into the Wind
This race is completely well organized. Loved the warming tents at the start, because it was super cold. The course is net uphill, and the wind will be in your … MORE
This race is completely well organized. Loved the warming tents at the start, because it was super cold. The course is net uphill, and the wind will be in your face. The whole way, the mileage on my watch was consistent with the mileage markers on the course, until the end. From 13 to the finish was .3 miles – .2 miles too long. That extra kept me from meeting my sub-2 goal. This is a slow course so go for the scenery and overall experience and not a PR.
Best day of my life
This was my first half marathon and I could not have asked for a better experience. Extremely beautiful scenery, and beyond professional team and set up. Everything went smoothly and … MORE
This was my first half marathon and I could not have asked for a better experience. Extremely beautiful scenery, and beyond professional team and set up. Everything went smoothly and perfectly to make it one of the best days of my life! I can’t wait to come back next year!!
Beautiful Path of Running
event was well organized, shuttles on time, pick up and coordination, exhibition, finish and start line and facilities, safety provide through the route, it is a must do half marathon MORE
event was well organized, shuttles on time, pick up and coordination, exhibition, finish and start line and facilities, safety provide through the route, it is a must do half marathon
SO. BEAUTIFUL.
Although the majority of this race was uphill, it didn't feel that taxing. Most of the incline is pretty gradual, and I was focusing on the scenery, which can't be … MORE
Although the majority of this race was uphill, it didn’t feel that taxing. Most of the incline is pretty gradual, and I was focusing on the scenery, which can’t be beat. The aid stations were well placed and stocked and pre-race communication was excellent.
Love this race, ready for another!
Such a great race to introduce an incredible view to Zion. I drove in the evening before And never saw the park until I ran. The view got better and … MORE
Such a great race to introduce an incredible view to Zion. I drove in the evening before
And never saw the park until I ran. The view got better and better!
Vacation races always does a great job in giving the runners an experience of a lifetime I can’t wait for my next one!
Beautiful race. Great event planning.
This was one of the most fun races I have done. The shuttle service was easy to follow, the event planning was superb and it was just all around great … MORE
This was one of the most fun races I have done. The shuttle service was easy to follow, the event planning was superb and it was just all around great fun. I would highly recommend this race to anyone. They even give enough time to walk the whole thing which is wonderful and inclusive for all levels.
Incredible Scenery
I thoroughly enjoyed this race though it kicked my butt! It was cold and windy - not something anyone could control. However, the scenery made up for any weather issues! … MORE
I thoroughly enjoyed this race though it kicked my butt! It was cold and windy – not something anyone could control. However, the scenery made up for any weather issues! Vacation Races puts on a great race from start to finish! Everything fits like a perfect puzzle. I loved finishing right by the park entrance with the spectacular mountain views in the background! This is a race I will not forget!
Race setting is spectacular.
The organization was great and the staff and volunteers were so nice. The course was all slightly uphill, but there was amazing scenery to distract you from it. I’ve run … MORE
The organization was great and the staff and volunteers were so nice. The course was all slightly uphill, but there was amazing scenery to distract you from it. I’ve run a lot of races, and vacation races does a top notch job of organizing and executing amazing events. I will be looking for my next chance to run with vacation faces with lots of anticipation!
Perfect first time experience
This is my first half marathon as a new runner who’s only been running since July. I’m used to training in south Florida so the cold and the hills were … MORE
This is my first half marathon as a new runner who’s only been running since July. I’m used to training in south Florida so the cold and the hills were both new for me! The scenery of this race was top notch. We also stayed at a hotel near the finish line and the shuttle to the start line in the morning was easy breezy and much appreciated. Loved the hot coffee, warming tents and the gear check. I was blown away by how clean the portable toilets were! Everyone I encountered was very friendly and supportive. The aid stations were a luxury and also much appreciated. I loved the high quality nutrition at the aid stops and the orange slices at mile 11 really gave me an emotional boost! The finisher medal has a great design and I can’t wait to hang it with my growing collection. I would definitely do another vacation races run and would also come back for this one again! All around wonderful experience.
Gorgeous course and race
This course was beautiful the entire run. There were some hills throughout (biggest between 6-7 mile) but they weren’t too bad. I hyped up the hills and elevation more than … MORE
This course was beautiful the entire run. There were some hills throughout (biggest between 6-7 mile) but they weren’t too bad. I hyped up the hills and elevation more than I should have. There were aid stations every couple of miles, along with latrines. It was well organized with shuttles bringing people to the start line and then returned to the start line and other hotels. I stayed across the street so it was easy to get there. Once there, they had gear checks, lots of latrines, hot chocolate and coffee, and a warming tent. An announcer was doing continuous announcements and raffle ticket giveaways. It never felt confusing or rushed. The race itself was beautiful. This was my first half marathon. I trained at higher altitudes with hills so I felt like it wasn’t anything harder than what I trained at. I am slow however (only been running for a year and about to turn 40) so factor that in. The metal is beautiful and the shirt given is quality.
Zions is a great event. Will recommend!
Aid stations were awesome they were spaced perfectly. The beginning of the race gets you pumped up and the end welcomes you back amazingly. Excellent atmosphere! MORE
Aid stations were awesome they were spaced perfectly. The beginning of the race gets you pumped up and the end welcomes you back amazingly. Excellent atmosphere!
Very windy and cold this day
Beautiful but tough if super cold and windy…expect to be slower. The head winds especially going uphill made it extremely difficult. The race organizers did great and the medal is … MORE
Beautiful but tough if super cold and windy…expect to be slower. The head winds especially going uphill made it extremely difficult. The race organizers did great and the medal is impressive.