Utah is a beautiful state with a diverse landscape that makes it an ideal destination for runners. The state is home to many scenic half marathons that offer a unique experience for runners of all levels. Whether you are a seasoned runner or just starting out, there are half marathons in Utah that will challenge and inspire you.
In this article, we will provide an overview of half marathons in Utah, including popular races, races by city, and races by distance. We will also cover virtual marathons in Utah and provide a running calendar.
ProĀ“s:
- ā Elastic waistband
- ā Quick-dry
- ā Built-in Compression shorts
Con:
- ā Drawstring is outside
Overview of Half Marathons in Utah
š Utah hosts a variety of half marathons throughout the year, from the snowy winter months to the warmer summer months.
š Popular half marathons in Utah include the Sand Hollow Marathon & Half Marathon, the Southern Utah Half Marathon, and the REVEL Big Cottonwood.
š The Sand Hollow Marathon & Half Marathon takes place in March and offers a relatively flat course through the beautiful Sand Hollow State Park.
š The Southern Utah Half Marathon is held in April and takes runners through the scenic town of St. George, with a challenging but rewarding course.
š The REVEL Big Cottonwood is a fast and scenic half marathon held in September, starting in the mountains and descending into the beautiful Big Cottonwood Canyon.
š Beautiful scenery and a variety of races make it a great place to run half marathons in Utah.
āWhy trust us? We are always looking for the next challenge ourselves and have already registered for the next ones!ā
16 Popular Half Marathons in Utah
If youāre looking for half marathons in Utah, youāre in luck! There are plenty of great races to choose from. Here are some of the most popular ones:
1. šāāļøĀ Snow Canyon Half Marathon
The Snow Canyon Half Marathon is a beautiful race that takes place in the scenic Snow Canyon State Park. The course is challenging, with some steep hills, but the stunning views make it all worth it.
2. š¦Ā Thankful 13
The Thankful 13 is a Thanksgiving-themed race that takes place in Lehi, Utah. The course is relatively flat, making it a great option for runners of all skill levels. Plus, the race benefits the Lehi High School Cross Country team.
3. š Ā Utah Santa Run
The Utah Santa Run is a fun, festive race that takes place in Salt Lake City. Participants dress up in Santa suits and run a 5K or 1-mile race. Itās a great way to get into the holiday spirit and get some exercise at the same time.
4. šļøĀ Zion Half Marathon
The Zion Half Marathon is a popular race that takes place in Springdale, Utah, near Zion National Park. The course is challenging, with some steep hills, but the stunning views of the park make it all worth it.
5. š Lucky 13 Half Marathon
The Lucky 13 Half Marathon is a fast and flat race that takes place in West Jordan, Utah. The course is relatively easy, making it a great option for runners who are looking to set a personal record.
6. šļøĀ Canyonlands Half Marathon
The Canyonlands Half Marathon is a beautiful race that takes place in Moab, Utah. The course takes runners through the stunning Canyonlands National Park, with breathtaking views of the red rock formations.
āThis one is definitely on my bucket list. I think itās just beautiful.ā
7. šĀ Monument Valley Marathon
The Monument Valley Marathon is a unique race that takes place in the stunning Monument Valley, on the border of Utah and Arizona. The course is challenging, with some steep hills, but the stunning views of the valley make it all worth it.
8. šāāļø Salt Lake City Marathon
The Salt Lake City Marathon is a popular race that takes place in the heart of Salt Lake City. The course is relatively flat, making it a great option for runners of all skill levels. Plus, the race benefits various local charities.
9. š Bakerās Dozen Half Marathon
The Bakerās Dozen Half Marathon is a fun race that takes place in Hurricane, Utah. The course is relatively easy, making it a great option for runners who are looking for a more relaxed race.
10. šØĀ Riverton Half Marathon
The Riverton Half Marathon is a fast and flat race that takes place in Riverton, Utah. The course is relatively easy, making it a great option for runners who are looking to set a personal record.
11. š Ā Iām Bound for Boston Marathon
The Iām Bound for Boston Marathon is a unique race that takes place in Provo, Utah. The course is relatively flat, making it a great option for runners who are looking to qualify for the Boston Marathon.
12. šļøĀ Red Mountain 55k
The Red Mountain 55k is a challenging race that takes place in St. George, Utah. The course takes runners through the stunning Red Cliffs Desert Reserve, with breathtaking views of the red rock formations.
13. š„ Eggs Legs Half Marathon
The Eggs Legs Half Marathon is a fun, festive race that takes place in Murray, Utah. Participants dress up in Easter-themed costumes and run a half marathon or 5K.
Ā 14. āļø Sun Marathon
The Sun Marathon is a challenging race that takes place in St. George, Utah. The course takes runners through the stunning Red Cliffs Desert Reserve, with breathtaking views of the red rock formations.
15. šµĀ Sand Hollow Marathon
The Sand Hollow Marathon is a challenging race that takes place in Hurricane, Utah. The course takes runners through the stunning Sand Hollow State Park, with breathtaking views of the red rock formations.
16. š Arches Ultra
The Arches Ultra is a challenging race that takes place in Moab, Utah. The course takes runners through the stunning Arches National Park, but itās not for the faint of heart. The race includes a 50-mile, 50K, and half marathon option.
8 Half Marathons in Utah by City
If you are looking for half marathons in Utah, you have plenty of options to choose from. We have compiled a list of some of the most popular half marathons in Utah by city to help you find the perfect race for you.
1. šŖĀ Half Marathons in Lehi
Lehi is a beautiful city located in Utah County, UT. If you are looking for a half marathon in this area, you might want to consider the Lehi Half Marathon. This race is held annually in May and offers a scenic course that takes you through the city and the surrounding countryside.
2. šĀ Half Marathons in Washington City
Washington City is located in Washington County, UT, and is home to the Washington City Half Marathon. This race is held annually in March and offers a challenging course. If you are looking for a half marathon with a bit of a challenge, this might be the race for you.
3. šĀ Half Marathons in Bluff
Bluff is a small town located in San Juan County, UT. If you are looking for a scenic half marathon in this area, you might want to consider the Bluff International Balloon Festival Half Marathon. This race is held annually in January and offers a unique course that takes you through the town and the surrounding desert landscape.
4. šļøĀ Half Marathons in West Jordan
West Jordan is a city located in Salt Lake County, UT. If you are looking for a half marathon in this area, you might want to consider the West Jordan Half Marathon. This race is held annually in September and offers a flat and fast course that takes you through the city.
5. šļøĀ Half Marathons in Springdale
Springdale is a small town located in Washington County, UT, and is home to the Zion Half Marathon. This race is held annually in February and offers a challenging course that takes you through the town and the surrounding hills. If you are looking for a half marathon with stunning views of Zion National Park, this might be the race for you.
6. šļøĀ Half Marathons in Saint George
Saint George is a city located in Washington County, UT, and is home to the St. George Half Marathon. This race is held annually in January and offers a scenic course that takes you through the city and the surrounding countryside. If you are looking for a half marathon with stunning views of the red rocks of southern Utah, this might be the race for you.
7. šĀ Half Marathons in Hurricane
Hurricane is a small town located in Washington County, UT. If you are looking for a half marathon in this area, you might want to consider the Hurricane Half Marathon. This race is held annually in March and offers a challenging course that takes you through the town and the surrounding hills.
8. šāāļøĀ Half Marathons in Moab
Moab is a city located in Grand County, UT, and is home to the Moab Half Marathon. This race is held annually in March and offers a scenic course that takes you through the city and the surrounding desert landscape. If you are looking for a half marathon with stunning views of the red rocks of southern Utah, this might be the race for you.
Half Marathons in Utah by Distance
If youāre interested in participating in half marathons in Utah, there are plenty of options available. However, itās important to consider the distance of the race you want to run. Here are some of the most popular distances for half marathons in Utah:
10k Races
If youāre looking for a shorter race than a half marathon, a 10k race might be a good option. There are several 10k races held in Utah throughout the year, including trail runs and road races. Some popular 10k races in Utah include theĀ Park City Trail Series, theĀ Thanksgiving Day 10kĀ in Salt Lake City, and theĀ Ogden Valley Winter Sports Foundation 10k.
5k Races
If youāre new to running or just looking for a fun, shorter race, a 5k race might be a good option. There are plenty of 5k races held in Utah throughout the year, including charity runs and holiday-themed races. Some popular 5k races in Utah include theĀ Utah Human Race, theĀ Haunted Half 5k, and theĀ Thanksgiving Day 5kĀ in Salt Lake City.
Marathons
If youāre looking for a longer race than a half marathon, a full marathon in Utah might be a good option. Utah is home to several popular marathons, including theĀ St. George Marathon, theĀ Ogden Marathon, and theĀ Salt Lake City Marathon. These races offer a challenging but rewarding experience for runners of all levels.
Ultra Marathons
For the most experienced and dedicated runners, ultra marathons offer a unique challenge. These races are typically longer than a traditional marathon, ranging from 50k to 100 miles or more. Some popular ultra marathons in Utah include theĀ Antelope Island Buffalo Run, theĀ Wasatch Front 100 Mile Endurance Run, and theĀ Zion 100 Mile Endurance Run.
Virtual Marathons in Utah
If youāre unable to attend an in-person marathon, virtual marathons are a great option to stay motivated and connected with other runners. Here are some virtual marathons taking place in Utah:
Utah Valley Marathon Virtual Option:
This marathon offers a virtual option that can be completed anytime between now and June 30. You can submit your virtual race results by clicking the Manage Registration button in your confirmation email, or by clickingĀ here.
Running in the USA Virtual Half Marathons:
Running in the USA offers a variety of virtual half marathons in Utah. You can find more information on their websiteĀ here.
Running Calendar and Dates for 2023 and 2024
We know that planning ahead is important for runners, especially when it comes to finding the perfect half marathon to participate in. Thatās why weāve compiled a list of the upcoming half marathons in Utah for 2023 and 2024.
According to the USA Running Calendar, there are several upcoming half marathons in Utah for 2023 and 2024. Here are some of the most notable races:
| Race Name | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Ele Earth Walk 5k 10k & Half Marathon | September (TBD) 2024 | Salt Lake City, UT |
| Draper City Half Marathon | September (TBD) 2024 | Draper, UT |
| Witch Run Half Marathon 10k & 5k | October (TBD) 2024 | West Jordan, UT |
| Thelma and Louise Marathon and Half | April 27, 2024 | Moab, UT |
In addition to the above races, there are plenty of other half marathons happening in Utah throughout 2023 and 2024. The RunGuides Utah Running Race Calendar and Utah Half Marathon Calendar are great resources for finding races near you.
5 Other Relevant Information
We want to provide you with some additional information that could be helpful for your Utah half marathon experience.
1. š„Ā Participants
If youāre planning to participate in half marathons in Utah, itās important to know that most races have a minimum age requirement of 13-14 years old. Additionally, some races may have a maximum time limit to complete the course, so be sure to check the race details before registering.
2. š° News
Keep up-to-date with the latest news and updates about half marathons in Utah by following local running blogs and social media pages. You can also sign up for newsletters from race organizers to stay informed about upcoming events.
3. š Lakes
Utah is known for its beautiful scenery, and there are several lakes throughout the state that offer great running routes. If youāre looking for a change of scenery from the typical road race, consider signing up for a trail run around one of Utahās stunning lakes.
4. š¦š» Kids Run
Many half marathons in Utah offer a kids run in addition to the main race. This is a great opportunity to get the whole family involved in the event and encourage healthy habits in children.
5. šāāļøĀ Four Corners Quad Keyah
If youāre up for a challenge, consider participating in the Four Corners Quad Keyah. This series of four half marathons takes place in the Four Corners area, where Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona meet. Completing all four races earns you a special medal and the bragging rights of being a āQuad Keyahā finisher.
Our 5 Tips on Half Marathons in Utah
āTrain for the elevation: Utah is known for its high altitude, which can make running a half marathon more challenging.ā
āStay hydrated: The dry climate in Utah can lead to dehydration, so make sure to drink plenty of water before, during, and after the race.ā
āPace yourself: Utahās hilly terrain can make it tempting to start the race too fast. Conserve your energy for the hills & challenging sections.ā
āEnjoy the scenery: Utahās natural landscapes are stunning, so take the time to appreciate the scenery during the race.ā
FAQ
What is the average time to complete half marathons in Utah?
The average time to complete half marathons in Utah is around 2 hours and 15 minutes.Ā
What is the best training plan for half marathons in Utah?
The best training plan for half marathons in Utah should include a combination of long runs, speed work, and strength training.Ā
What are the best half marathons in Utah?
The best half marathons in Utah include the Utah Valley Half Marathon, the St. George Half Marathon, and the Park City Half Marathon.
Have you ever run half marathons in Utah? I would love to hear your experience in the comments. Iām sure we also have the right training plan for you like our 7 Week Half Marathon Training PlanĀ orĀ the 16 Week Half Marathon Training.
