Race Packages & Pricing
Registration Periods
Early: January 18 – March 17
Regular: March 18 – July 7
Late: July – Trailfest
Next Price jump in:
*There is a limited number of entries to each race, and this event may sell out. If the event is sold out, registration will close regardless of registration period.
Registration is now open!
I love Vacation Races
Yes!!! I'm going [to Yosemite] in 2018 and I am super excited, but first Grand Canyon Half Marathon, Lake Powell Half marathon, Zion Half marathon... :) I love Vacation Races races...can you tell? ;)
Please note: Registering for the 2019 Trailfest includes all three courses. Individual races are not offered. Learn why by watching this video.
Course Details
- Bryce Canyon
- Zion
- Horseshoe Bend
Bryce Canyon
Course Race Date: October 3rd
Start Time: 7:30am
Distance: 13 miles
Aid Station: Mile 7.5
Cutoff: 4.5 hours (20 min/mile)
The Bryce Canyon course starts at the Coyote Hollow Trailhead and jumps onto some single track pretty quickly. Despite the trail not being wide at this point, it is the easiest spot to pass runners by stepping off the trail through the trees.
A few miles in and the single track starts to have slight drop offs which make it more difficult to pass. The crowd should thin out a bit during these first few miles.
Being on the same plateau as Bryce Canyon National Park you will be treated with some spectacular views and run among the hoodoos and red rocks! Today's challenge: elevation and climbing.
Zion
Race Date: October 4th
Start Time: 7:30am
Distance: 12 miles
Aid Station: Mile 8.5
Cutoff: 4 hrs (20 min/mile)
The Zion course runs on top of Gooseberry Mesa with breathtaking panoramic views of Zion National Park’s main canyon. The challenge this trail presents is the slick rock (which is only slick when wet). Some runners have a hard time finding their rhythm on the rock.
Horseshoe Bend (formerly called "Grand Canyon")
Race Date: October 5th
Start Time: 7:30am (Utah Time)
Distance: 10.6 miles
Aid Station: Mile 4.5
Cutoff: 4 hrs (20 min/mile)
Run along the outer rim of the iconic Horseshoe Bend! This course will give you a very intimate view of the Colorado River as it begins to carve its way through the Grand Canyon (though the official “start” of the Grand Canyon is another 2 miles down river).
You’ll start at a Navajo Hogan and traverse the desert before dropping down into Waterholes Canyon, a slot canyon very few get the privilege of exploring. The section through the slot canyon includes two areas where runners will have to climb a ladder down from an upper level to a lower (one is about 15 feet and the other is about 6 feet).
After a little over a mile through the canyon runners will exit the canyon via a bit of a rock scramble to climb out. Both the ladders and the rock scramble aren’t anything too technical, but be ready for them and also be patient if there is a little bit of a bottleneck when you arrive at that section of the course.
Once you climb out of the canyon you will run through the desert for a bit until you reach the rim of the canyon with the Colorado River below. Running along the rim of the iconic Horseshoe Bend gives you a taste of what is further down river. This section along the famous Horseshoe Bend is easily one of the most sought after views of the Colorado River. Then it is a short distance from the rim to the finish.
Please be patient with each other (especially in the slot canyon and climbing down ladders) and be careful. This course’s biggest challenge is the sand. Runners will run through miles of soft sand. Gaiters are recommended, but plan to stop and dump out your shoes on several occasions and remember to drop those hips to help glide across the sand.
A reminder that this entire course is on Navajo land. Remember that we are guests here and to be respectful of the area.
**Please note that the video is not 100% accurate. We'll post an updated version as soon as we're able. This will, however, give you a good idea of the terrain and location.
Aid Stations
Trailfest aid stations will have the following:
- Water
- Gnarly electrolyte drink
- Honey Stinger gels
- Fresh fruit
- Variety of both salty and sweet items
At every event, our aid station workers are there to assist you. If you ever need help, our aid workers will do whatever they can to help.
Daily Itinerary
This is a tentative schedule and subject to change
Wednesday
12:00–8:00 pm - Runner check-in
4:00 pm - Musician
5:00 pm - Clinic
5:30 pm - Dinner buffet* & beer garden opens
6:00 pm - Clinic
6:30 pm - Welcome/Event Overview
6:45 pm - Bryce Course Overview
7:00 pm - Keynote Speaker
8:30 pm - Dinner ends and beer garden closes
10:00 pm - Quiet hours begin
10:30 pm - Fires out
Thursday
5:00 am - Grab-and-go breakfast begins
5:30 am - Shuttles begin loading at Festival HQ
5:45 am - Shuttles depart for Bryce Canyon race
7:30 am - Bryce Canyon race starts
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2:00 pm - Vendor booths and massage tents open
3:00 pm - Yoga starts
3:30 pm - Film Screening
5:30 pm - Dinner buffet* & beer garden opens
6:30 pm - Navajo Sunset Ceremony
7:00 pm - Bryce Canyon Awards
7:15 pm - Zion Course Overview
7:45 pm - Night Skies presentation
8:00 pm - Massage tents close
8:30 pm - Dinner ends
9:00 pm - Beer garden closes
10:00 pm - Quiet hours begin
10:30 pm - Fires out
Friday
5:00 am - Grab-and-go breakfast begins
5:30 am - Shuttles begin loading at Festival HQ
5:45 am - Shuttles depart for Zion race
7:30 am - Zion race starts
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2:00 pm - Vendor booths and massage tents open
3:00 pm - Yoga starts
3:30 pm - Speaker
4:30 pm - Speaker
5:30 pm - Dinner buffet* & beer garden opens
6:30 pm - Navajo Sunset Ceremony
7:00 pm - Zion Awards
7:15 pm - Horseshoe Bend Course Overview
7:30 pm - Film Festival
8:00 pm - Massage tents close
8:30 pm - Dinner ends
9:00 pm - Beer garden closes
10:00 pm - Quiet hours begin
10:30 pm - Fires out
Saturday
5:00 am - Grab-and-go breakfast begins
5:30 am - Shuttles begin loading at Festival HQ
5:45 am - Shuttles depart for Horseshoe Bend race
7:30 am - Horseshoe Bend race starts
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2:00 pm - Vendor booths and massage tents open
3:00 pm - Yoga starts
5:00 pm - Musician
5:30 pm - Dinner buffet* & beer garden opens
6:30 pm - Navajo Sunset Ceremony
7:00 pm - Horseshoe Bend Awards/Overall Awards
7:30 pm - Live band
8:00 pm - Massage tents close
8:30 pm - Dinner ends
9:30 pm - Beer garden closes
10:00 pm - Quiet hours begin
11:00 pm - Fires out
Breakfast
Breakfast will include fresh fruit, muffins and pastries, bagels, yogurt, juice, water and coffee. Dinner meals are catered. We apologize we can't take all dietary restrictions into account, but we will have a vegetarian option each night.
Travel Info
Lodging
Festival HQ will be at Jacob Hamblin Park in Kanab, UT!
We'll have plenty of camping for Trailfest runners but you're welcome to find your own lodging nearby if camping isn't your speed. And yes, you can bring your friends and family.
Campsites will be available from noon on Wednesday through noon on Sunday (4 nights!!)
Your Trailfest registration includes a camping pass to the group area at race headquarters. Bring your own tent or we can provide one for you. We have access to four baseball fields located adjacent to the city park (Festival HQ). Camping* is available from noon on Wednesday (Oct. 2nd) through noon on Sunday (Oct. 6th).
When you register, you'll be asked to select the option of tent camping, car/van/RV camping, or none. You'll also have an opportunity to purchase additional spots for friends and family.
There are bathrooms with flush toilets at the headquarters and there will also be compost toilets placed around the tent area and festival. Showers will be available at the Recreation Center/Pool next door.
Additional facilities include: pavilion with picnic tables, serving area (where Trailfest runners will provided with breakfast and dinner), three fire pits, a stage for the film festivals, and a very large playground for kids.
*It is possible to park a tent trailer or motorhome (26 ft. or shorter) instead of tent camping, however, there aren't hookups available and spaces are limited.
We've partnered with Booking.com to search for the best hotel options in the area. Check them out below!
Traveling to Kanab
Kanab is a 3 hour drive from Las Vegas, NV, a 4 1/2 hour drive from Salt Lake City, UT, and a 5 1/2 hour drive from Phoenix, AZ. No matter which way you're coming from, you will see some amazing country en route.
Transportation at Trailfest
We encourage you to drive to the start of each race so you can spend the rest of the day exploring the park and surrounding area on your schedule! However we will have shuttles each day taking runners to that day's course.
We’ll provide more specifics about Trailfest transportation options and timelines as the event gets closer!
FROM LAS VEGAS: You will traverse the Mojave Desert and transition to the Great Basin and Colorado Plateau, with views of Zion National Park and the Mt. Caanan Wilderness Area, and the Kaibab Paiute Reservation.
FROM SALT LAKE CITY: You will drive down the scenic Hwy 89 with views of the Paunsugaunt Plateau (home to Bryce Canyon National Park) and through the towering white sandstone cliffs just east of Zion National Park.
FROM PHOENIX: You will drive through Flagstaff and continue north, paralleling the South Rim of the Grand Canyon and through Navajo land. You'll have two amazing options that are equally breathtaking and similar in distance/time from Kanab. If you take Hwy 89A, you'll cross the Colorado River via Navajo Bridge near Lee's Ferry, then drive along the stunning Vermillion Cliffs National Monument before climbing up onto the famous Kaibab Plateau and then descending down into Kanab with perhaps the most expansive views of the entire Grand Staircase, including Zion and Bryce. We highly recommend this route. The other option is to take Hwy 89 through Page, AZ (Make sure to get out and hike out to see Horseshoe Bend of the Colorado River while you're there). You'll drive across Glen Canyon right below the dam with views of Lake Powell before heading west with views of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument to the north and Vermillion Cliffs National Monument to the south.
Kids Camp
Kids camp is going to be a blast!
It will begin at 5:30am and end at 2pm each day.
Kids at Kids Camp will eat breakfast and lunch daily and get a free t-shirt. There will be tons of time for play as well as activities to keep your children busy. For the Grand Circle Trailfest Kids Camp, we'll have a licensed daycare provider with several volunteers helping out. (Ages 3-16)
Kids camp is $30.00 per child per day. If you have more than 1 child please add for the quantity you'll need.
Previous Races
Results
Testimonials
What have others said about Trailfest?
Bucket list trip!!!
Thank you so much for an amazing bucket list trip!!! everyone was amazing!
Laura Adams-Allen
Trailfest Participant
Thank you for a well organized race. My kids loved the park and dancers which made for easy entertainment after running!
Erin Nash-Fairfax
Trailfest Participant
Unexpected Laughing Fits
Pack up extra Humor...you're going to fall into some great unexpected laughing fits with a few hundreds of the newest members of your trail family
Christina Vincent
Trailfest Participant
Really enjoyed it. It was all I thought it would be and more. Organized very well by Dehn and Colleen who is wonderful on speaking each day. She is what makes the races enjoyable with her up beat radio experience and enthusiasm. Some help could be on the food service. There was more then one time food wasn't ready or enough. The helpers were excellent on helping. As runners this is important and emotions can be high when dealing with food. Amazing courses and Zion was my favorite. Thank you for a wonderful time. I will continue to join as long as Colleen is there to run it as she did.
Julie Payn
Grand Trail Fest Runner
Absolutely amazing!
Trailfest was absolutely amazing! Very well organized and so much fun! Thank you everyone who helped put this event together!
Staci Geiselman
Trailfest Participant
Amazing event!
Thank you so much for such an amazing event! I came with two dear friends and left with dozens of new ones. [...] I will be back!
Shannon Halda-Wipf
Trailfest Participant
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When will Trailfest sell out?
That is tough to say. We sold out both our inaugural year (2016) and last year (2017). Both years we sold out early in the registration process (shortly after early bird registration ended).
How do the tents work at the festival?
Every registration includes a tent site and a 4- or 6-person tent. (You can also bring your own tent if you prefer.) If you're coming with other runners and want to share a tent, make sure one person in your group claims a tent site for the group. Everyone else in the group can simply indicate "no campsite needed" during registration.
Example: If I were registering and so were three of my friends, I would make sure one of us selected a 4-person or 6-person tent be provided for us. Then the other three friends would select "No campsite needed" when registering.
Picking a tent site is on a first come first serve basis. You may check in for friends. They will all be set up in the baseball fields just above the festival. Each registration comes with its own tent site, though we encourage you to share with friends. You will not be put in a tent with a stranger.
A limited set of car/van/RV sites are available for vehicles 26 ft. or shorter.
Do I have to stay at the festival?
Nope, you can stay anywhere you like. We'll provide a campsite and tent for everyone who registers but you don't have to use it. If you want to stay somewhere else and drive to the festival and races, that is allowed.
Kanab has lots of hotel and VRBO options. However, you will not receive a discount by not camping with us. All registration fees include a campsite whether you use it or not.
What is weather like in the area this time of year?
Early fall in southern Utah is beautiful. Expect clear skies and sunny days. The days will be a little warm (highs in the low 70s) but the mornings and evenings will be chilly. Plan to dress warmly before the race and then gear check any layers you don’t want to run with. The occasional thunderstorm rolls through this time of year so there is the possibility of rain.
What time does the race start?
Each morning’s race will start at 7:30am, just after sunrise. We'll have a “rolling start” meaning the start line will be open for about 45 minutes and runners will start as they arrive rather than having one large start with everyone at the same time. It's a little unceremonious but it makes for less congestion on the course.
How long do I have to finish the race? Can I walk?
We are counting on about a 20 minute/mile pace. These trails are difficult. A 20 minute/mile pace on road does not equal a 20 minute/mile pace on these trails. Runners should plan accordingly. A mixture of running and walking would be fine.
Will there be shuttles?
There will be shuttles available. We don't recommend you use them. Why? They'll return to Festival HQ very soon after the race. We suggest driving yourself and then taking time to explore the National Park before heading back to Festival HQ.
The shuttle will take runners from Festival HQ in Kanab to the start line of the race and then back again to Kanab after the finish. The shuttle is OPTIONAL and a pass must be purchased for each day you want to use it. This can be done as part of the Trailfest registration process.
At every race location there is no parking at the start line. However there is a large designated parking area very near to the start. All runners who drive themselves to the race location will park in this lot and then take a short shuttle ride to the start line. Shuttles will then take them back to their car after the finish.
Do I have to take the shuttle?
Runners do not have to take the shuttle from Kanab to the race start. This is an optional shuttle. In fact we encourage you to drive yourself and carpool with friends. By driving yourself to the race each morning you have the freedom to grab something to eat afterward or stay and explore the park. The trails you will run on are spectacular, but there is more to see here than just these 13 miles or so of trail.
Are there aid stations?
Yes, each course will have at least one aid station (usually about halfway through the course).
Each aid station will have water, Gnarly electrolyte drink, Honey Stinger energy gels, basic foods (fruit, pretzels, etc), and toilets. See each course description for exact location.
Are dogs allowed?
Unfortunately no. Our insurance does not cover dogs on course and Jacob Hamblin Park has a strict no dog policy. If you are camping at HQ there will be a separate area designated for campers with dogs, however it will be slightly removed from the festival and you are responsible to keep your dog out of the park.
Are strollers allowed?
Strollers are not permitted on these trails.
How do I register on a team? How do teams work?
We offer team registrations for the 3-day event. Individuals who do not run all 3 event days are not qualified to be on a team. There are no relays, but there is a team prize to compete for. The 1st person to register will create the team name. All other team members must select the same team name form the drop down to receive the discount. You will register on a team, but each person registers separately and pays full price for registration. Runners on a team of 5 will each receive a $50 refund from registration fees. The refund will be refunded to each member of a team automatically before the expo, as long as they have all 5 members.
Scoring for the teams: At the end of each day teams will be scored two ways. First placement score (cross country scoring) as runners cross the finish line those who are competing for team placement will get points. First place will get 1 point, second will get 2, and so on. The teams score will be added to the teams overall times. Teammates finish times will be added together. The team with the lowest finish times and finish scores will be placed. Awards will be given out for First, Second and Third place.
*Only teams with a complete team of 5 will qualify for team awards, If a team member drops out of the event, the whole team is disqualified for the team award.
**Please be considerate when choosing a team name. Any name team names we deem offensive will be changed to “Team A,” “Team B” etc.
***If you used a discount to register (club, trifecta, military, etc) you are not eligible for the team discount, but may still be a member of a team.
What are the meal options?
We'll provide catered meals each night of Trailfest (Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday).
We'll also offer a continental style breakfast each race morning (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday). Runners may help themselves to breakfast each morning. You'll receive a wristband when you pick up your bib. Show this wristband when entering the buffet area to eat dinner.
Additional meal tickets can be purchased at the registration tent or at the buffet table for $10, cash or credit accepted.
Is alcohol allowed at Trailfest?
No, but also yes. We will have a beer garden at Trailfest. Utah and Kane County have certain laws we have to abide by that restrict where the beer garden can be. So it will be located at the “annex” of Trailfest. We invite everyone interested to come there and enjoy a drink.
There is NO ALCOHOL allowed at Jacob Hamblin Park, so please do not consume alcohol on park grounds outside of the designated beer garden. Failure to comply will impact our relationship with Kanab and could put the future of the event in jeopardy.
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