Races
Zion
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 5/106 stationsslickrockWire 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
- Start5,669 ft
- High7,329 ft
- Low3,787 ft
- Finish4,002 ft
- Utah at mile 0.0
- Zion mile 12 at mile 12, cutoff 4 hours
- Zion mile 25 at mile 25, cutoff 8 hours
- Zion mile 37 at mile 37, cutoff 12 hours
- Zion mile 50 at mile 50, cutoff 16 hours
- Finish Utah at mile 62, cutoff 20 hours
Field, 2026 · 14-year sampleresults
Starters212
Finish rate90%
Median15:53
Sub-24191
Geometrycourse math
Steepest drop1,854 ft-16.0% over 2.2 mi
Night miles18 misunset near 18:00 local
Course records
Men9:09:40Karl Meltzer
Women9:57:09Katie Asmuth
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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Sources (3)
- Field stats (2026): https://ultrasignup.com/results_event.aspx?did=128669
- Course record (M): https://ultrasignup.com/results_event.aspx?did=22674
- Course record (F): https://ultrasignup.com/results_event.aspx?did=67754