Moab Trail Marathon Nov 4, 2017 - Has Anyone Run It Before?

yes, well marked and stocked. i ran 3:38 but died a bit over the last 8 or so miles, could have pretty easily been under 3:30 and was probably in 2:40-45ish marathon shape. slow people wear packs. i just had a soft flask in my hand and would swig a few ounces of whatever they had at stations then fill up for the in between. epic course except for the last 3 miles, which go into some shitty canyons with ropes and stuff and really slow you down.

Did it, never will do it again, most of the race was on slick rock. I don't even know how in the heck you train for that? It was like running on marble, I had no traction and was sliding all over the place, never again.

Neveragain wrote:

Did it, never will do it again, most of the race was on slick rock. I don't even know how in the heck you train for that? It was like running on marble, I had no traction and was sliding all over the place, never again.

I ran a 50k there a few years back, and had a similar experience. The terrain on this course beat your legs to death, very jarring. Had the race been all dirt, it would have been sweet, but alas, it was not.

That being said, Moab is an amazing place, one of my favorite road trip destinations in the country. If you're not trying to PR or anything, Id say give it a go and maybe allocate some time for hiking in Arches and Canyonlands Natl parks.

Neveragain wrote:

Did it, never will do it again, most of the race was on slick rock. I don't even know how in the heck you train for that? It was like running on marble, I had no traction and was sliding all over the place, never again.

Hmm. Does the weather play into that? Or is it rock just typically wet/dusty and slick? Seems like something easily hikeable but perhaps not so fun for running.

Any other thoughts good or bad?

bort wrote:

That being said, Moab is an amazing place, one of my favorite road trip destinations in the country. If you're not trying to PR or anything, Id say give it a go and maybe allocate some time for hiking in Arches and Canyonlands Natl parks.

I've never ran the race, so I cannot comment on that. I did just want to echo this thought. If you are just looking for a fun experience (independent of time based on what others are saying), I would consider it assuming you have never been to Moab. For an outdoors type, it is an absolutely amazing destination--probably on my short list of best areas in the nation. If you can spend a day or two extra hiking/driving around, I would recommend you do so at some point.

I've run it twice...last time this past Nov. (when it was wet).It's a great event...it was the USATF trail marathon champs (half and full) for some years.As far as trail races in the US go it is very well organized and a fairly big race.The scenery/route has some great views...there are some cliffs and some very technical trail running sections. It is probably one of the most technical trail races that I have ever run (for maybe 5-6 of the miles).It is a mix of slick rock, single-track, sandy jeep roads, dirt roads...you have all the variety. As far as times go...well it has 4,000' climbing, you're at moderate altitude and like i said it gets quite techy. I was a good 40-min slower than my road marathon PR time.

Consideringit wrote:

Neveragain wrote:

Did it, never will do it again, most of the race was on slick rock. I don't even know how in the heck you train for that? It was like running on marble, I had no traction and was sliding all over the place, never again.

Hmm. Does the weather play into that? Or is it rock just typically wet/dusty and slick? Seems like something easily hikeable but perhaps not so fun for running.

Any other thoughts good or bad?

I've run a half marathon down in Moab (same organizers I am pretty sure) and it was well organized and fun. Only glitch was they insisted everyone leave sweats at a trailer and go to the start and then did not start the race for about a half hour (very cold in the predawn there). All the locals just ignored it, kept sweats, warmed up to the trailer and kept warm. I listened to the instructions and froze my ass off.

Otherwise very good race, and very nice people, good club.

The slickrock is awesome to run on. Amazingly beautiful. A bit of pounding but not tricky at all (come to Montana if you want "technical", LOL, Sage).

What's technical in Montana? I've run "The Rut." (as well as mountain "trails" in CO and European SkyRunning races...which can get very gnarly).For the OP here's a rough video I found on Youtube (shows some of the race course): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WA9na8UTIqY

sc42 wrote:

I've run a half marathon down in Moab (same organizers I am pretty sure) and it was well organized and fun. Only glitch was they insisted everyone leave sweats at a trailer and go to the start and then did not start the race for about a half hour (very cold in the predawn there). All the locals just ignored it, kept sweats, warmed up to the trailer and kept warm. I listened to the instructions and froze my ass off.

Otherwise very good race, and very nice people, good club.

The slickrock is awesome to run on. Amazingly beautiful. A bit of pounding but not tricky at all (come to Montana if you want "technical", LOL, Sage).