Bryce Canyon Half Marathon

The sorbet-colored, sandcastle-like spires and hoodoos of Bryce Canyon National Park pop like a Dr Seuss picture book creation. Though the smallest of southern Utah’s national parks, this is perhaps the most immediately visually stunning, particularly at sunrise and sunset when an orange wash sets the otherworldly rock formations ablaze. Steep trails descend from the rim into the 1000ft amphitheaters of pastel daggers, then continue through a maze of fragrant juniper and undulating high-mountain desert. The location, 77 miles east of Zion and 39 miles west of Escalante, helps make this a must-stop on any southern Utah park itinerary. With that being said, the Bryce Canyon Ultra is the place to be.

This scenic, mountain course runs along the western edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau, offering spectacular views above and below the hoodoos. The race is run at high elevation, with most of the miles on this rugged course between 8,000 – 9,000 ft.