The Moab 240 Endurance Run, a grueling 241.8-mile ultramarathon traversing Utah's diverse canyon and mountain landscapes, was held on October 09, 2026. The race challenged participants with extreme elevation swings and technical terrain as they navigated a single loop through the desert and alpine peaks of the Moab region.
Extreme Terrain and Elevation
The race course is designed as a single, non-repetitive loop that starts and finishes in Moab. Runners face a significant physical challenge, covering 241.8 miles with a total of 31,890 feet of elevation gain. The route takes athletes through a variety of extreme environments, ranging from scorching desert flats near 4,000 feet to high-altitude alpine ridgelines above 11,000 feet.
Diverse Natural Landscapes
The course traverses several notable Utah landmarks, including the Lockhart Basin and the remote Abajo Mountains. Runners also climb through the high-altitude La Sal Mountains, with the route flanked by the scenic landscapes of Canyonlands and Arches National Parks. This technical terrain requires participants to manage both extreme heat and extreme cold throughout the event.
Race Logistics and Support
To support athletes over the multi-day event, the race provides 16 aid stations located along the course. Among these, five are dedicated sleep stations equipped with cots to assist runners as they navigate the 241.8-mile loop. The overall cutoff time for the race is 112 hours, though individual cutoffs are established at 16 specific locations along the route.
Legacy and Significance
The Moab 240 is an established event, having been created in 2017 in memory of ultrarunner Stephen Jones. Jones was a 200-mile pioneer who envisioned a single-loop 200-miler in Utah before his death in an avalanche in 2016. The race is a part of Destination Trail's Triple Crown of 200s and serves as a Western States 100 qualifying race.
Participation and Entry Details
Entry into the race is determined via a lottery system. For the 2026 event, the registration window opened on January 03, 2026, and closed on January 18, 2026, with the lottery held on January 20, 2026. The race typically maintains a field size of approximately 400 runners, and the 2026 event saw an 85% finish rate.
Crew and Pacer Regulations
Participants in the Moab 240 are permitted to use crews and pacers to assist them. Crews are allowed access to eight of the 19 specific locations listed on the course, while pacers can be picked up at six of the 19 locations. Additionally, the race allows for the use of drop bags at 14 of the 19 available locations.
Course Difficulty and Conditions
The race is recognized for its high level of difficulty, rated at a 7 out of 10. The course features technical terrain and requires runners to manage variable weather conditions, including extreme heat and extreme cold, as they traverse the Utah wilderness.
