Championship Racing in Moab
The Moab Trail Marathon, featuring the 2026 USATF Trail Half Marathon National Championships and the Collegiate Trail Running Championships, will take place in the Kane Creek Canyon area on Saturday, November 7, and Sunday, November 8, 2026. Recent flooding in Kane Creek has forced officials to re-route portions of the 10K and half marathon courses, leading organizers to warn runners to prepare for mud and wet feet.
Race Details and Awards
The weekend events include a variety of distances: the full marathon, half marathon, 10K adventure run, and a Kids K on Saturday, with an additional half marathon held on Sunday. According to the Moab Trail Marathon, Saturday's events have capacity limits of 700 marathoners, 700 half marathoners, and 200 5K runners. The Sunday half marathon is open to 700 participants.
Registration fees for the event range from $45 to $190 depending on the distance and when the entry is booked. The race organizers noted that a portion of every entry fee is donated to local non-profit organizations. The event also offers various awards, including finishers' mugs and medals for those who complete the courses within designated cutoff times. The top five male and female finishers in the USATF Championship will receive prize money, with first place earning $800.
Course Changes and Terrain
Course conditions for the 2026 races have been impacted by recent flooding. According to racecast.io, Kane Creek flooding has slightly re-routed all courses. The 10K and half marathon courses will utilize the Connector Trail for approximately 3/4 of a mile, while the marathon route will use Kane Creek Road from mile 13.7 to mile 14. These changes mean participants should expect mud and wet feet.
Participants in the half marathon may encounter wet conditions in Kane Creek for approximately one mile, specifically from mile 11.1 to mile 12.1. The marathon course is described by organizers as a rugged and unique route that includes narrow single-track, sandy washes, and Moab-style slickrock. The course features an elevation gain of approximately 3,500 feet, with two major climbs: one gradual climb at the beginning and a shorter, steeper climb just after the halfway point.
Safety and Environmental Precautions
Race officials have issued specific warnings regarding safety and environmental preservation. Runners are instructed to stay alert for cliffs, traffic, and cactus. Organizers also emphasized the importance of staying on the marked trails to protect cryptobiotic crust, a desert soil layer that can take decades to recover from a single footprint.
Because the terrain is rugged and has limited vehicle access, the race organizers have deployed two on-course first responders and a rescue team to assist in the event of an injury. Participants are also warned that the road remains open to traffic, and runners must yield to vehicles. For the half and full marathon, road crossings occur at mile 9.7 and mile 14, respectively.
Logistics and Check-in
Logistics for the event include a strict no-on-site parking policy on race day. Participants must use provided shuttles leaving from the south side of Helen M. Knight Elementary School or be dropped off by friends or family. The shuttle trip to the start is approximately 5 miles and takes about 13 minutes.
For those attending pre-race check-in, packet pick-up is scheduled for Friday, November 6, 2026, between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the Kane Creek Recreational Parking Lot. Runners who complete check-in on Friday are eligible for a coupon for a free shake or fries at Milt’s Stop & Eat. Alternatively, participants can check in on race morning between 6:45 a.m. and 8 a.m. at the start/finish area.
Weather Forecast
The weather forecast for the race weekend indicates a cool start with a warming finish. On Saturday, runners can expect temperatures to begin around 42°F and reach approximately 53°F by the finish. The forecast predicts light, dry conditions with a 7 mph north wind, though a headwind is expected to challenge runners around mile 10 and between miles 18 and 23.
Scenic Landmarks
The race routes through the Kane Creek Canyon and the Behind the Rocks Wilderness, offering views of the La Sal Mountains and the Colorado River corridor. The marathon route includes several distinct sections, such as the 'Scorched Earth Wall' and the 'Captain Ahab' singletrack. The 10K course is noted for its resemblance to the trail that led the race director to move to Moab in 2000 and includes views of the 'Tombstone' formation.
Ceremony Information
The USATF Trail Half Marathon Championship ceremony is scheduled for Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at the stage next to the awards tent. While the USATF and collegiate awards will be presented during a formal ceremony, all other award recipients can collect their prizes at the awards tent at their convenience once results are official.
