Grand Canyon Trail Half Marathon
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Event overview
The Grand Canyon Trail Marathon, Half-Marathon, & 5k Run/Walk takes place on October 24, 2026 in Tusayan / Grand Canyon Village, AZ. The event is staged at the IMAX Visitor Center (450 AZ-64). Race formats listed include:
- Marathon - single-run course near the South Rim
- Half-marathon - single-loop trail course
- 5k Walk/Run
- Children's 5k, Virtual Race, and a Marathon Relay
The marathon route is reported as about 26.8 miles and the half-marathon as about 13.3 miles. The course lies within the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument and runs through the Kaibab National Forest.
Courses and logistics
Surfaces are mixed: hard-packed and soft dirt, rocky sections, paved asphalt, concrete sidewalk, and gravel. The half-marathon includes roughly 11.5 miles on forest jeep roads after a half-mile town start. Total ascent for the half is about 556 ft and maximum elevation near 6,729 ft. Half-marathon aid stations are at about Miles 4.5, 8 and 11.5; participants are advised to be self-sufficient while volunteers support the course. The marathon requires completion of the first lap under 2:45 and the whole race under 5.5 hours. Marathon relay teams must finish within 5 hours. Pets are not allowed on-course. The 5k has a paved section but includes a dirt road that may be difficult for chair athletes; children and strollers are allowed in the 5k. Race finishers receive a commemorative medallion and other listed event amenities. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.