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Bears Ears Marathon and Half

November 8, 2025
Blanding
Road
Distances
Marathon, Half-Marathon
Starting Time

8:00 AM

Fees

$80+

Perfect For
1-100
Fast & Flat
Mountain Views
High: 58°
/ Low: 33°
Overview
The Bears Ears Marathon & Half Marathon will be held on November 2, 2024 in Blanding, Utah, near the Bears Ears National Monument. Run a newly-modified, ultra-fast, point-to-point course. The course starts in Blanding (6,100 feet elevation), covers highway 191 in San Juan County, and descends into Bluff, Utah. Runners descend over 1,700 feet total, making it one of the fastest in the Four Corners Region. Both marathon and half marathon courses are USATF certified, and the marathon is a Boston Qualifier.

The Bears Ears Marathon staring line is in Blanding, Utah. Line up to race at the intersection of 500 N and Bronco Lane. The Half and Full Marathons will begin at 7:30 am on the morning of November 4th. Starting line elevation is 6,150.
After two quick turns racers will head south on Main Street / HWY 191. From there the racers will have a gradual descent through mile 9 on the course.
Section 2 is the fastest 5 miles section of the course, and the most scenic. The course continues downhill through White Mesa, a Ute Reservation, and into the heart of San Juan County.
Mile 13.1, marked on the map, is the starting line for the Half Marathon. Half Marathon Racers will be bused down at 6:00 am to the starting area. Both races will start at 7:30 am.
Section 3 features the first of two large descents. Just after mile 14, racers will head drop off of White Mesa into Recapture Pocket and run alongside Bears Ears National Monument. This first large drop takes runners from 5,200 feet to 4,900 in elevation.
Section 4 features miles 17 – 24. After nearly 17 miles of gradual downhill, section 4 has uphill features. Racers can expect a 5 miles stretch of small rolling hills that can be unexpected if not planned for in training. Luckily section 4 ends with a return to the gradual downhill feature friendly to racers.
Finish Line in Bluff, Utah. After 25 amazing miles, racers will reach Cow Canyon and Bluff, Utah. This final stretch features the last large descent through Cow Canyon and into the town of Bluff. Here racers will exit HWY 191 and turn onto Navajo Twins Drive / 7th East. Racers will finish at an elevation 4,300, resulting in a downhill course that drops over 1,700 feet.

Bears Ears Marathon and Half Course Map

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