Bryce Canyon Half Marathon & 5K

Saturday, July 13, 2024 • Bryce, UT • Course Map

The Bryce Canyon Half Marathon is a fast, scenic race that takes you through Utah’s spectacular Bryce Canyon National Park, a geologic wonder that lures visitors from around the world with its incredible red rock formations, stunning views of amphitheater-like canyons like Inspiration Point, and wide-open skies.

The point-to-point course is a flat and downhill run, boasting a net elevation loss of 1800 ft. However, with a starting elevation of 7,652 ft., the thin air can be a challenge for runners who are not used to the high altitude.

The race begins at 6:00 AM at Ruby’s Inn on Highway 63, in Bryce, Utah. The course heads north briefly, then turns east onto National Scenic Byway 12, where runners are treated to spectacular views of the sunrise as it lights up the pink cliffs and red walls of the canyon ahead.

For the next four miles, the route descends through Bryce Canyon National Park, offering beautiful vistas of the unique sandstone pinnacles and spires that rise from the bottom of the canyon.

After mile five, the course leaves the park and the downhill becomes more gradual as the route rolls through pastures and ranches, crossing the Tropic Ditch and descending into the town of Tropic.

From there, the course continues eastward along the Paria River and toward the finish in Cannonville, at an elevation of 5,800 feet. Brilliant red and white rock formations frame the finish line, creating a memorable end to the race.

Organizers note that runners must reach the finish line in Cannonville by 9:00 AM — Highway 12 will need to be re-opened to traffic by then — so they’ll have a course time limit of 3 hours to finish the race. They’ll also award $3,000 in cash prizes to the top 5 overall male and female runners.

Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah. (Photo by Jeremy Taylor/flickr)

Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah. (Photo by Jeremy Taylor/flickr)

Race Weather & Climate

Located just outside Bryce Canyon National Park in southern Utah, about 260 miles south of Salt Lake City, Bryce Canyon Airport typically sees mild to moderately warm weather in July, which has brought record temperatures here as low as 28 degrees (in 1982) and as high as 98 degrees (in 2002).

  • July 13 average low temp: 46ºF
  • July 13 average high temp: 77ºF

Past Results

Course Map

See the race route map for the Bryce Canyon Half Marathon here.

Starting Time

  • 6:00 AM — half marathon
  • 6:30 AM — 5K

Course Time Limit

3 hours

Fees

  • $75 and up — half marathon
  • $40 and up — 5K

Registration

To reserve your spot in the summer 2024 running of Utah’s Bryce Canyon Half Marathon or 5K race, register online at RaceEntry.com here.

Official Race Website

www.brycecanyonhalfmarathon.com

Comments

Ever run in the Bryce Canyon Half Marathon? Share your impressions here, or post your review in the Comments below.

See more races in: July, Utah

4 comments… add one
  • Marko Turcotte November 21, 2016, 11:27 pm

    When does your 2017 registration open up?

    Thanks

    Reply
  • Elizabeth Livesay July 11, 2016, 5:11 pm

    I just have a question. My friend picked up my packet and the short that was in my packet is large, I requested a small. Do you have any smalls left over? I’m barely 103 lbs. ?

    Reply
  • Michele S June 9, 2016, 1:01 am

    Ruby’s Inn is right at the start but a lot of runners stayed in Panguitch and Tropic and rode to the start on shuttles. They also provided shuttles from the finish back to those areas.

    Reply
  • Greg Yost May 30, 2016, 10:06 pm

    What are the lodging options during race days?

    Reply

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