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Race guide · Moab, Utah
How to train for the Arches Ultra
A winter desert ultra on slickrock and singletrack along the edge of Arches National Park. Here's what to know and how to get ready.
Next race Sat Jan 30, 2027
| Distance | Climb | Start | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 Mile | 50 mi | 4,524 ft | Sat 6:30 AM |
| 50K | 31 mi | 2,894 ft | Sat 7:30 AM |
| Half | 13.1 mi | 873 ft | Sat 8:30 AM |
All distances start and finish at Seven Mile RV Park north of Moab, on the Bar M, Klonzo and Klondike trail systems.
What makes it hard
Slickrock and sand
The course runs from smooth to technical slickrock, with a little sand, which works your feet and ankles differently from dirt trail.
Train for it: Run on varied, technical surfaces and build ankle and calf strength.
A winter start
Late January in the desert usually means a cold, dark start and a cool, dry day.
Train for it: Train through winter, and practise your layering and glove plan on long runs.
Runnable and fast
With modest climbing, you'll run most of the course, and it's easy to go out too fast.
Train for it: Steady long runs at race effort, paced by feel rather than the watch.
How long to train
Plan on 16–20 weeks for the 50-miler, 12–16 for the 50K and 8–10 for the half if you're already running 4–5 days a week.
Get a plan built around race day
Set Arches Ultra as your goal race and VertPro builds your training back from the start line, then adapts week to week. A Vert.run coach reviews your plan in the first 24 hours.
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How hard is the Arches Ultra?
It's one of the more runnable desert ultras: the 50-miler climbs about 4,500 ft and the 50K about 2,900 ft, on slickrock, singletrack and a little sand.
When is the Arches Ultra 2027?
Saturday, January 30, 2027, according to the organiser. Always confirm on the official race site.
Race facts checked October 2, 2026 against madmooseevents.com. Confirm dates and rules with the organiser. Vert.run is not affiliated with the race.