Races

Zion

UtahApril

Apple Valley, Utah. Zion hundred k. Slickrock mesas. Eight thousand feet. High desert exposure.

100 km+8,210 ft-9,877 ft20 hours3,787 ft to 7,329 fttech 5/10Checkpoints per race bookslickrockWire MesaWSER qualifierApril
Distance100 km
Gain+8,210 ft
Loss-9,877 ft
Altitude3,787 ft to 7,329 ft
Technicality5/10
Air45°F to 85°F
Gradient profileDistance variant from parent course
  • Start5,669 ft
  • High7,329 ft
  • Low3,787 ft
  • Finish4,002 ft

Field, 2026 · 14-year samplescraped

Starters212
Finish rate90%
Median15:53
Sub-24191

Geometryderived

Steepest drop1,854 ft-16.0% over 2.2 mi
Night miles18 misunset near 18:00 local

Course records

Men9:09:40Karl Meltzer2014 scraped
Women9:57:09Katie Asmuth2019 scraped

The cruxWire Mesa slickrock in April sun (near mile 40)

Course DNA

The Course

Zion runs 100 km through Utah. +8,210 ft gain and -9,877 ft loss. Surfaces skew 70% singletrack / 30% slickrock. Wire Mesa slickrock in April sun. High point near 7,329 ft. Low near 3,787 ft. April temps run 45°F to 85°F. The course rewards patience early and punishes rushed descents after mile 31.

The Work

Train for 8,210 feet of climbing across 100 km. Back-to-back long runs on similar surfaces. Practice power-hiking grades above 15 percent. 20 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 40.

Kit

April in Utah: plan for 45°F to 85°F. Mandatory shell if rain is in forecast. Headlamp with spare batteries if 20 hours pushes past dark. Poles help on sustained climbs above mile 16. Vest capacity for 2 liters minimum. Shoes matched to 70% singletrack: lugs for mud, rock plate if the course turns technical after mile 31.

Race Day

Hold effort through mile 16. The field often splits on the first big climb after mile 31. Wire Mesa slickrock in April sun near mile 40 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 21 miles of fatigue management. Finish with reserve for the last descent.

Results

Zion finish lines.

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Course-specific plan, fuel segments, gear kit, and race morning for Zion.

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Zion

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