Pure Zion 2009 >>

November 7-8, Zion National Park

Take your favorite trail race, your best weekend club run, and your fondest trail running vacation, and put them in a blender. That's basically what we've done in planning the first signature Wilderness Running event. Events like this are sometimes called a Fat Ass. We call this one Pure Zion.

The main event of Pure Zion is a 20-mile run through the heart of the Park on the Wildcat Canyon and West Rim Trails. The run will begin at 7:30 AM on Saturday, November 7, 2009, and is a great way to enjoy your hard-earned summer fitness while winding down from a season of high stakes racing. You are also guaranteed to make some memories as you soak up the scenery of one of the country's great trail running venues during the best time of the year to visit. A second run is planned for Sunday, November 8 on the La Verkin Creek Trail in the Kolob Canyons section of the Park. (Additional route information and photos below.)

Group size is extremely limited by Park policy. Among other things, this means we can adapt the runs to participant interest. For instance, there are excellent half-marathon and 50K options based on the West Rim course that can be readily accommodated. The La Verkin Trail is an out-and-back: a roughly 15-mile round trip takes you to Kolob Arch, but trail time can easily be extended to 20+ miles.

We Provide:

- Run-related transportation and logistical support.

- Pre-run dinner in Springdale Friday night.

- Picnic in Zion Canyon Saturday post-run.

- Gear giveaways you'll actually love.

You Provide:

- Transportation to and from Springdale, Utah, and your own lodging while in town.

- A sunny disposition. Game faces are for race day. And Pure Zion isn't a race.

- Solid fitness. These are minimally supported runs through remote backcountry. Not recommended for beginner trail runners.

There is no charge to participate in Pure Zion, but pre-registration is required to ensure group size does not exceed the Park cap. If you would like to add your name to the participant list, simply email me.

Run Details: Wildcat Canyon & West Rim Trails