Mark your calendar for Saturday, April 18, 2026, when Happy Trails Running presents the Jordan River Marathon & Half Marathon, winding along Utah’s scenic Jordan River Parkway in South Jordan. With springtime blooms, shaded foliage, and seamless trail access, this boutique event delivers quality over quantity.
A Scenic Parkway Experience
The Marathon begins at 6:45 AM, followed by the Half Marathon at 7:30 AM, both launching from East River Front Park. Courses follow paved trails alongside wetlands, golf courses, parks, bridges, and riverside vistas nearly the entire way—crisp, flat, and PR-friendly with only 200 ft of elevation gain for the half. Aid stations every 3–4 miles include Tailwind hydration, Honey Stinger snacks, fruit, Swedish Fish, and even Coke—plus first aid supplies and course marshals for navigation.
Why It Stands Out
This is a small-scale event—capped at 250 marathon and 250 half runners—allowing access to a beautiful trail network usually inaccessible to larger races. Swag includes tech shirts, custom locally made medals, post-race breakfast from Great Harvest Bread, and free race photos with no watermarks. Awards are presented to both overall and age division finishers, supported by local sponsors like Salt Lake Running Company.
Runners repeatedly praise the vibe—a local, welcoming trail run with great organization and scenery. As one Redditor described a Happy Trails race:
“It’s a small local rave with only about 150 runners… mostly on a river parkway in a suburb 20 minutes south of Salt Lake City.”
The Happy Trails Jordan River Marathon & Half is the perfect springtime running experience—built for scenic beauty, ease of logistics, and friendly competition. With capped fields, quiet trails, generous amenities, and intimate vibes, it’s a top pick for runners who value experience over size.
