The 2026 Antelope Canyon Ultras will take place on March 7, 2026, in Page, Arizona, with the start and finish at the Page Sports Complex. The event is set against the backdrop of the stunning red rock landscapes of the American Southwest, featuring a mix of technical sand trails, dirt roads, and slot canyons. Participants can expect a high level of difficulty, with temperatures projected at 74ยฐF during the day and 43ยฐF at night. The event offers a range of distances, from a trail half marathon to a 50-mile ultra, each presenting unique challenges and scenic routes through some of the most iconic desert terrain in the United States.
What distances are available for this event?
โTrail Half Marathon: 13.3 miles starting at 8:00 AM MT
โ30K: 19.2 miles starting at 7:00 AM MT
โ55K Ultra: 34 miles starting at 5:00 AM MT
โ50 Mile Ultra: 51.2 miles starting at 5:00 AM MT
What are the start times for each race?
โTrail Half Marathon: 8:00 AM MT
โ30K: 7:00 AM MT
โ55K Ultra: 5:00 AM MT
โ50 Mile Ultra: 5:00 AM MT
What are the time limits for each race?
โTrail Half Marathon: 6 hours
โ30K: 8 hours
โ55K Ultra: 13 hours
โ50 Mile Ultra: 19 hours
What terrain will participants encounter?
โTrail Half Marathon: Technical dirt trail
โ30K: Technical sand trail
โ55K Ultra: Technical sand trail
โ50 Mile Ultra: Technical sand trail
What are the course landmarks for each race?
โTrail Half Marathon: Page Rim
โ30K: Horseshoe Bend, Page Rim
โ55K Ultra: Upper Antelope Canyon, Sand Dune Canyon, Deer Canyon, Treestump Canyon, Rams Head Canyon, Ligai Si' Anii, with views of Grand Staircase-Escalante and Bryce Canyon
โ50 Mile Ultra: Upper Antelope Canyon, Sand Dune Canyon, Deer Canyon, Treestump Canyon, Rams Head Canyon, Horseshoe Bend overlook, Ligai Si' Anii, with views of Grand Staircase-Escalante and Bryce Canyon
Are there any restrictions on what participants can bring?
โNo wheelchairs, strollers, or dogs on course
What are the rules regarding crew and pacers?
โTrail Half Marathon and 30K: No crew or pacers allowed
โ55K Ultra: Crew allowed only (no pacers)
โ50 Mile Ultra: Crew AND pacers allowed
What is the weather forecast for the event?
โDaytime temperature: 74ยฐF
โNighttime temperature: 43ยฐF
Where is the bib pickup and expo located?
โPage Sports Complex, Page, AZ
โDates and times: Friday, March 6, 2026, from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM
What is the course description for the 50 Mile Ultra?
โMile 0โ6.2: Depart Page Sports Complex into desert toward Red Mesa. Sandy trails/dirt roads with gradual climb to mesa high point, technical cliff-band descent, soft sandy roads to Owl Canyon entrance. Narrow, winding terrain leads to an impassable dryfall requiring a short technical scramble (hands needed). Descend sand dune into Antelope Wash to first aid station.
โMile 6.2โ13.2 (Slot Canyons & Mega Ladders): Continue up Antelope Wash (long, energy-draining sand). Enter famous Antelope Canyon slotโnarrow, twisting sandstone walls. Turn right into Sand Dune Canyon with scrambling and deep sand. Exit via ladder series toward mega ladder system in Deer Canyon (alternate route via canyon-wall ladders). Navigate Deer Canyon using ladders/cables to second aid station. Refuelโmajor climb ahead.
โMile 13.2โ21.6 (Ligai Si' Anii Canyon & White Cone): Brief jeep road reprieve, then desert approach to Ligai Si' Anii Canyon. Traverse sandy wash narrowing to a slot near the top; explore briefly, then return out. Transition to jeep roads, then tackle steep, demanding climb up White Cone (use short strides). Summit offers panoramic views before fast, technical descent to third aid station. Prepare for upcoming technical section with cables/ladders.
โMile 21.6โ30 (Rams Head, Via Ferrata, Antelope Ridge): Navigate to Marie's Canyon rim, then dramatic descent into Rams Head using cables/ladders (fixed linesโcareful footing required). Follow canyon floor to impassable Mountain Sheep Canyon; veer left, climb out to mesa above Antelope Ridge. Final cliff-band push to level mesa. Follow rim past Antelope Ridge Via Ferrata to fourth aid station. Refuel, then descend steep/technical route back toward Red Mesa, cross Coppermine Road, begin long desert crossing.
โMile 30โ38 (Horseshoe Bend & Vermillion View Trail): Mentally/physically challenging desert crossing toward Horseshoe Bend (sandy terrain, sun exposureโpace wisely). Pass iconic Page "P" to fifth aid station near Horseshoe Bend. Cross highway, run mile of soft sand to famous overlook (photo opportunity). Connect to Vermillion View Trailโscenic rolling route through sandstone formations above Marble Canyon. Mixed sand/rocky terrain; stay focused on undulating landscape.
โMile 38โFinish (Lake Powell & Page Rim Trail): Cross highway near Glen Canyon Dam, transition to sidewalk toward final aid station at Lake Powell (gradual climbโmaintain rhythm). Final aid station is crucial for last push. Transition to Page Rim Trailโflowing, scenic clockwise loop to finish. Rewarding views, relatively runnable surface to pick up pace if energy remains. Finish line concludes epic journey through Southwest's breathtaking terrain.