Grand Canyon Trail Half Marathon

2024 Registration is now open!  Hold onto your hats folks, it's time to hit the trail for the 2024 edition Grand Canyon Trail Half Marathon and 5k! Get ready to run or stroll through the stunning Kaibab National Forest, nestled on the Coconino Plateau just a hop, skip, and jump away from the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon South Rim. The race kicks off in Tusayan, Arizona, where you'll find the start/finish line and all the post-race festivities.  The course is within the recently designated Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument.  Get set for a thrilling and challenging course that'll take you on a wild ride under a canopy of trees, past tree-lined cliffs, and under historic railroad tracks. Who knows, you might even be lucky enough to spot some of the local wildlife! Once you've crossed the finish line, grab your coveted souvenir medal, relax at the beer garden, check out the artisan fair.  After you've recover, head a few miles up the road to check out the scenery at the Grand Canyon. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to experience nature's majesty at its finest! Supported by the local community, the event takes place in partnership with the Town of Tusayan, the Tusayan Fire Department, the IMAX Visitor Center, the Kaibab National Forest, The Grand Canyon Chamber and Visitor Center, and more.   Your donations help support the vital services provided by the two local non-profits: the Tusayan Fire Department and the Grand Canyon Food Pantry.   The event is staged at the IMAX Visitor Center, 450 AZ-64, Grand Canyon Village, AZ 86023, about 3 hours from the Phoenix Sky Harbor airport and 4 hours from Las Vegas.

 

Check out these sweet event treats: Snazzy race medal for the first 500 finishers in the 5k and half marathonA colorful long sleeve shirt to commemorate your epic journey across the trails near the South RimTasty post-race snacks to refuel your engineFree beer to celebrate your triumph, with discounted pours supporting the Tusayan Fire DepartmentDiscounts to nearby tourist activities, because you deserve to keep the fun going!  While you’re vacationing at the Grand Canyon National Park, take advantage of all the discounts offered by our friends at the Grand Canyon Chamber of Commerce and enjoy your visit to America’s most awe-inspiring destination.   Local Partners:

We support Run Local. The Grand Canyon Trail Half Marathon is a joint partnership between the Town of Tusayan and Run Tucson, the premier local running company in Arizona.  Special thanks to the folks from the Kaibab National Forest for providing the permit for the event. 

Click here for 2021 race video put together by race sponsor Damion Alexander from Long Realty.  You can also click here for the images from the course at Damion Alexander's Smugmug account.

Overview:

Bring the Kids! Children and strollers are allowed in the 5k

Do Good! This event raises funds for the Tusayan Fire Department and Grand Canyon Food Pantry --  we're glad to use this event to provide support to these important area organizations

Trail Half-Marathon Terrain: half mile start on sidewalk, then 11.5 miles of challenging forest jeep roads, including rugged rocky sections, soft dirt, and hard-packed dirt forest roads, with a rolling final mile on the paved Arizona Trail path. According to the National Park Service, the forest is characterized by ponderosa pine, with Gambel oak, New Mexico locust, mountain mahogany, elderberry, creeping mahonia, and fescue.

5k Terrain: mostly paved Arizona Trail, with about one mile on hard-pack dirt forest road

Difficulty: the half marathon course is challenging for many, with hills and rugged terrain.  Top runners finish about 10 minutes slower than road races.

Weather: most likely in the 30's and 40's early morning, with daytime highs hitting 60's - 70's . . . but you never know what early November will bring at 7,000 feet.

Chair Athletes: The 5k would be challenging for chair athletes, while the half-marathon is a rugged course not suitable for chair athletes.  

Pets Allowed: We love pets but they cannot be with participants on the course during the event.

Want Training Advice? Contact RRCA-certified running coach Tia Accetta at [email protected]. 

A few comments from recent participants:

I had an amazing first half marathon trail race experience! Thank you so much!Best long sleeve tshirt i have got in a whileThank you for making the medals coasters, they're on my coffee table.Really appreciated the virtual option! I've done many this year and yours has been one of the best. Registration was clear & the medal and t-shirt arrived in the mail in a timely manner (actually they arrived on race day!). Absolutely fantastic experience. Everyone was so helpful and friendly...it was an amazing course and event. Well done.Oh my gosh!! I was super stoked to get that (coaster medal) when I finished. Very high quality and such a special momento to remember my first 1/2 marathon. Loved it!!Loved the trickle start. This was my first 1/2 marathon and I felt there wasn't any pressure to start quickly. I was able to go at my own pace and not be in anybody's way. Very relaxing.I thought I was was pretty prepared but then injury... then fatigue.  THANK YOU for not making me feel like a super loser for taking so long to complete the course. That was kind and beautiful and I appreciate it more than you could ever know. 
Beautiful scenery, challenging terrain and lots of hills/inclineSince this was my first ever 1/2 marathon (and I have bad knees), I was so happy I could walk. I trained for months and finished in 3 hours and 45 minutes by walking the entire course!! Woo Hoo!!Hi Randy and Tia: Just want to personally thank you both for an outstanding event. This was my first trail walking 1/2 marathon, and I truly had a fantastic time. Everything from picking up my packet to crossing the finish line was perfect. You both (and all the sponsors and volunteers) are awesome.Thanks for being patient and answering all my questions and concerns before. It really helped to make me feel comfortable about the event and timing. I will be back!! Wanna' know what else to do?

Tusayan is your welcoming community nestled in the Kaibab Forest just a mile from the main entrance to the Grand Canyon National Park. Comfortable motels, a campground, restaurants, the world famous IMAX Theater, and the official Arizona State Visitor Information Center make Tusayan a perfect home base for enjoying the South Rim. Check out these local options -- and be sure to view their public safety protocols:

https://www.grandcanyoncvb.org/where-to-stay https://www.grandcanyoncvb.org/where-to-stay/inside-park-lodging https://www.grandcanyoncvb.org/where-to-stay/tusayan-lodging https://www.grandcanyoncvb.org/what-to-do