Races
Arches Ultra 50 Miler
Bar M and Klondike trails along Arches National Park. Dinosaur tracks at Utahraptor State Park. La Sal snow in the background. Moab winter at its best.
50 mi+2,887 ft-2,890 ft17 hours4,308 ft to 5,136 fttech 5/10Checkpoints per race bookBar M trailsUtahraptor State ParkcuplessJanuary
Distance50 mi
Gain+2,887 ft
Loss-2,890 ft
Altitude4,308 ft to 5,136 ft
Technicality5/10
Air25°F to 55°F
- Start4,537 ft
- High5,136 ft
- Low4,308 ft
- Finish4,534 ft
Field, 2026 · 9-year samplescraped
Starters74
Finish rate100%
Median10:24
Sub-2474
Geometryderived
Steepest drop440 ft-3.9% over 2.1 mi
Course records
Men6:20:25Jeason Murphy
Women6:54:17Sarah Cummings
The cruxKlondike and Klonzo slickrock rolls along the Arches border (near mile 33)
Course DNA
The Course
Arches Ultra 50 Miler runs 50 mi through Moab, Utah. +2,887 ft gain and -2,890 ft loss. Surfaces skew 55% slickrock / 45% singletrack. Klondike and Klonzo slickrock rolls along the Arches border. High point near 5,136 ft. Low near 4,308 ft. January temps run 25°F to 55°F. The course rewards patience early and punishes rushed descents after mile 25.
The Work
Train for 2,887 feet of climbing across 50 mi. Back-to-back long runs on similar surfaces. Practice power-hiking grades above 15 percent. 17 hours total means limited margin: rehearse fueling every 45 to 60 minutes and downhill eccentric work weekly. Technicality 5/10. Build a block that simulates the crux near mile 33.
Kit
January in Moab, Utah: plan for 25°F to 55°F. Mandatory shell if rain is in forecast. Headlamp with spare batteries if 17 hours pushes past dark. Poles help on sustained climbs above mile 13. Vest capacity for 2 liters minimum. Shoes matched to 55% slickrock: lugs for mud, rock plate if the course turns technical after mile 25.
Race Day
Hold effort through mile 13. The field often splits on the first big climb after mile 25. Klondike and Klonzo slickrock rolls along the Arches border near mile 33 is where time is won or lost. Walk the steep pinches. Run the flats and gentle downhills. Crew at major aids: socks, calories, ice if hot. Transitions under 5 minutes when possible. Final third is 17 miles of fatigue management. Finish with reserve for the last descent.
Results
Arches Ultra 50 Miler finish lines.
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Sources (3)
- Field stats (2026): https://ultrasignup.com/results_event.aspx?did=124107
- Course record (M): https://ultrasignup.com/results_event.aspx?did=65153
- Course record (F): https://ultrasignup.com/results_event.aspx?did=75719