Running in Moab

In 1993 I started reading books from an author named Wilbur Smith. They were books talking about Africa, wars, indigenous people and incredible adventures. In one of the stories a group of people had to get from a jungle to another destination very fast. They were on foot and they ran to save their lives and the ones of others. In that story 4 or 5 men ran 500 km in a week, it took the author about 50 or 60 pages to explain in exceptional detail the gruesomeness of such a task… with such incredible words that it felt real.

That was just fiction, but from that moment on I was hooked on running. From that moment on I always wished I could do that. Run that much, that long, pushing it to the limits of life itself for the sole purpose to keep life alive.

I am not a professional athlete by any mean, not even close, but I love to run.

I always think when I run, and I think about running for hours after I run.

I run for two simple reasons.

To see the world outside of me and the one inside of me.

Moab Is an amazing place to run.

I run evenings as my job as an innkeeper requires me to get up before dawn, but I love sunset runs.

The red rocks, the blue skies and the green shrubs have amazing tones in the evening at sunset.

Running is incredible, running is easy and liberating. Running is a great way to end your day in Moab.

Moab Is home to many different Half Marathons and all of them are on spectacular courses featuring incredible landscapes and Red Rocks all around.

1 :  Canyonlands Half Marathon and 5 Mile

The first Canyonlands Half Marathon was run on May 1, 1976 had just 22 finishers, including a dog. Today, thousands of runners come together in March to enjoy the scenic red rock formations and winding Colorado River that Moab has come to be known for! Running parallel to Arches National Park and the Mighty Colorado, runners are in for a real treat. Long considered a “Bucket List” race, Canyonlands Half Marathon was named by Runners World UK, in their article “The Worlds Greatest Races,”  in the July 2018 issue.

2: Thelma and Louise Half Marathon, Relay, & 10K

Because a girls weekend should include an exciting challenge, we present Thelma and Louise Half Marathon & Relay.  Bring your best girl friends to Moab, and experience the towering red rock walls along the Colorado River at this women’s only event.  If you choose to do the relay, you and your relay partner will take a boat shuttle up or down the river.  Be sure to watch the movie before you arrive, since the raffle prizes require a correct answer to our Thelma and Louise movie trivia questions!

3: Canyonlands – The Other Half…
This is My Favorite!

Started in 2004, as a fall companion to the popular Canyonlands Half Marathon, this road half marathon might just be one of the most scenic races in the country. Starting at the Historic Dewey Bridge, The Other Half travels through the well known “scenic alley,” past the rising red rock formations of Fisher Towers and Castle Valley.

I have run this course 6 times and I am planning on running it again on October 14th 2018

Time to lace up and go for a Run, Moab is a great place for it!!

~ Vic