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 74°F during the day and 43°F 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?
→Trail Half Marathon: 13.3 miles starting at 8:00 AM MT
→30K: 19.2 miles starting at 7:00 AM MT
→55K Ultra: 34 miles starting at 5:00 AM MT
→50 Mile Ultra: 51.2 miles starting at 5:00 AM MT
What are the start times for each race?
→Trail Half Marathon: 8:00 AM MT
→30K: 7:00 AM MT
→55K Ultra: 5:00 AM MT
→50 Mile Ultra: 5:00 AM MT
What are the time limits for each race?
→Trail Half Marathon: 6 hours
→30K: 8 hours
→55K Ultra: 13 hours
→50 Mile Ultra: 19 hours
What terrain will participants encounter?
→Trail Half Marathon: Technical dirt trail
→30K: Technical sand trail
→55K Ultra: Technical sand trail
→50 Mile Ultra: Technical sand trail
What are the course landmarks for each race?
→Trail Half Marathon: Page Rim
→30K: Horseshoe Bend, Page Rim
→55K 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
→50 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?
→No wheelchairs, strollers, or dogs on course
What are the rules regarding crew and pacers?
→Trail Half Marathon and 30K: No crew or pacers allowed
→55K Ultra: Crew allowed only (no pacers)
→50 Mile Ultra: Crew AND pacers allowed
What is the weather forecast for the event?
→Daytime temperature: 74°F
→Nighttime temperature: 43°F
Where is the bib pickup and expo located?
→Page Sports Complex, Page, AZ
→Dates and times: Friday, March 6, 2026, from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM
What is the course description for the 50 Mile Ultra?
→Mile 0–6.2: 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.
→Mile 6.2–13.2 (Slot Canyons & Mega Ladders): Continue up Antelope Wash (long, energy-draining sand). Enter famous Antelope Canyon slot—narrow, 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. Refuel—major climb ahead.
→Mile 13.2–21.6 (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.
→Mile 21.6–30 (Rams Head, Via Ferrata, Antelope Ridge): Navigate to Marie's Canyon rim, then dramatic descent into Rams Head using cables/ladders (fixed lines—careful 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.
→Mile 30–38 (Horseshoe Bend & Vermillion View Trail): Mentally/physically challenging desert crossing toward Horseshoe Bend (sandy terrain, sun exposure—pace 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 Trail—scenic rolling route through sandstone formations above Marble Canyon. Mixed sand/rocky terrain; stay focused on undulating landscape.
→Mile 38–Finish (Lake Powell & Page Rim Trail): Cross highway near Glen Canyon Dam, transition to sidewalk toward final aid station at Lake Powell (gradual climb—maintain rhythm). Final aid station is crucial for last push. Transition to Page Rim Trail—flowing, 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.
