Four steep climbs onto high-desert mesas above the Virgin River, with West Temple and The Watchman in constant view — a spring 100-miler through southern Utah’s red rock instead of alpine forest.
Quick facts
- Location: Ruby Rider Ranch, Apple Valley, UT (start/finish) — high-desert mesas adjacent to Zion National Park
- Date: Early-to-mid April (2026 running was April 11; race falls before this page’s July reference date, so results below reflect the 2026 running)
- Distance: 96.9 miles, 36-hour cutoff
- Website: aravaiparunning.com/zion
- Contact: info@aravaiparunning.com · (602) 346-0554 — Aravaipa Running
- Registration: Open entry via aravaiparunning.com/UltraSignup, no qualifier required; tiered pricing rises as the race date approaches
Course description
Starting and finishing at basecamp near Smithsonian Butte, the course links long stretches of singletrack, slickrock, and exposed desert trail across wide-open mesas with constant sightlines to Zion’s sandstone walls — West Temple, The Watchman, and the Virgin River far below. Runners face four steep climbs onto separate mesas (Wire Mesa, Mondo Z, Smith Mesa, Guacamole, and Virgin BMX among the named sections), each followed by narrow rim running and technical, ever-changing footing. The out-and-back and loop sections repeat some mesas twice, meaning familiar terrain returns late in the race when it’s hardest to appreciate.
Elevation change
Approximately 10,481 feet of cumulative gain. Low point 3,442 feet; high point 5,442 feet — modest by Rocky Mountain standards, but the technical slickrock and repeated mesa climbs add up.
Aid stations
16 aid stations along the course, roughly every 6-9 miles: Wire Mesa (mile 8), Wire Mesa II (15.3), Mondo Z (23), Gooseberry (30.8), Mondo Z II (34.6), Virgin Desert (42.9), Virgin Dam (51.5), Smith Mesa (59.7), Virgin BMX (69.1), Guacamole (74.9), Guacamole II (81), Virgin BMX II (87.5), and Mondo Z III (91.7) before the finish. Early stations carry standard hydration, electrolyte mix, and snack food; later stations add hot food like quesadillas, ramen, and grilled sandwiches. All aid stations have portable restrooms, and medical personnel are stationed at Mondo Z, Virgin Desert, and Virgin BMX. Crew and pacers are permitted only at designated aid stations, with pacers joining from mile 42.9 onward.
Special conditions & average temps
Southern Utah’s high desert in April brings wide temperature swings — warm, sun-exposed days on open slickrock followed by cold desert nights. The terrain itself is the main hazard: narrow rim sections, loose rock, and technical slickrock footing rather than altitude. Little natural shade exists across the mesas, so sun exposure and dehydration are real concerns despite the moderate elevation.
Recent results — top 3, men & women
The 2026 running (April 11) is the most recent race relative to this page. The prior two years, 2025 and 2024, follow below.
2026
- Men: 1. Kevin Slider 18:49:59 · 2. Rex Shields 19:53:15 · 3. Benjamin Johnson 21:09:05
- Women: 1. Lydia Oldham 22:29:56 · 2. Natalie McPhillips 23:44:36 · 3. Karen Krob 24:55:18
2025
- Men: 1. Zander Chase 19:09:11 · 2. Stephen Woodall 21:22:50 · 3. Julian Mracky 21:32:43
- Women: 1. Ashley Paulson 21:18:14 · 2. Heidi Waddoups 23:41:42 · 3. Karen Krob 24:30:52
2024
- Men: 1. Jonathan Kuplack 18:42:28 · 2. Connor Baty 21:15:35 · 3. Ian Hayashi Jones 21:46:06
- Women: 1. Nicole Thomas 22:29:44 · 2. Kelly Swanson 27:03:35 · 3. Kathryn Sullivan 28:14:16
Registration deadline & how to get in
Open registration via aravaiparunning.com and UltraSignup — no qualifying race required. Pricing is tiered and rises the closer registration gets to race week, with the final window closing the Monday before the race.
Traveling to this race? Find lodging near the venue via Hotels.com.