Skyline Mountain Marathon, Half Marathon, & 55K

Saturday, August 12, 2023 • Eden, UT • Course Map

Described by its race organizers as “punishing, unforgiving,” and yet “ridiculously beautiful,” this race is all that and more — with some 1,900 feet of elevation climb in just the first three miles of the half marathon route, every runner who dares to tackle the trails that wind up the mountains overlooking the Eden Valley below will experience those and everything in between.

The race takes runners along what is known as the Ben Lemond and the Skyline trails, which climb up the mountains here in the northernmost part of Utah through a series of switchbacks, twisting and turning along the dirt trails within the Cache National Forest, looking out onto Salt Lake City to the south and the mountains of southern Idaho to the north.

It’s not hard to figure out why it takes a special kind of runner to attempt this race when you consider that, aside from water stations, there’s none of the amenities at the Skyline Mountain races that runners are accustomed to having at other races — no cheerleading spectators, no rock bands, no blocked-off roads. It’s just runners and the trail, and tough trails at that.

Runners in the half marathon begin their race at the area known as the North Ogden Divide, which also is the mid-way point of the full marathon, just off North Ogden Canyon Road.

From there, they follow the South Skyline Trail as it winds its way southward through the mountains, climbing nearly 1,900 feet from the start to the half marathon’s peak elevation of just over 8,000 feet, which occurs just before runners reach the mile 3 marker.

From that point, the race follows a long and very gradual downhill descent over the next several miles, offering up some of this area’s most spectaular scenery from a vantage point few get to see.

The course keeps heading downhill until runners reach the part of the trail that runs along the shoreline of Pineview Reservoir, where it flattens out and remains flat for the next few miles, as they head into Eden for the race finish.

The half marathon in this race is what the organizers call a “half marathon +1,” meaning that it is actually 14.1 miles rather than 13.1 miles.

Race Weather & Climate

Nestled among the mountains of the Cache National Forest in the northern corner of Utah, just over 50 miles north of downtown Salt Lake City, Eden typically sees some of its warmest and driest weather of the year in August, which has brought record temperatures here as low as 30°F (in 1992) and as high as 98°F (in 1994).

Past Results

Course Map

See the race route map for the Skyline Mountain Half Marathon here.

Starting Time

  • 5:00 AM – full marathon, 55K
  • 6:00 AM – half marathon, 30K

Fees

  • $55 and up – half marathon
  • $65 and up – 30K
  • $75 and up – full marathon
  • $85 and up – 55K

Registration

To reserve your spot in the 2023 running of Eden’s Skyline Mountain Marathon or Half Marathon race, register online at UltraSignup.com here.

Official Race Website

runtheskyline.com/marathon-half

Comments

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

1 comment… add one
  • Myron Charowsky June 12, 2015, 5:03 pm

    I am looking at doing this event. I need some advice. I live in Pennsylvania. What airport should I fly into and where should I stay?

    Reply

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