Whaleathon
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Whaleathon 2026
Whaleathon is a community endurance event held around the "Out of the Blue" roundabout at 900 S and 1100 E in Salt Lake City's 9th & 9th neighborhood. The course is the roundabout loop; completing a full marathon requires approximately 26.2 miles, which equals about 630 laps of the outer edge of the center island. Each lap measures roughly 0.04 miles.
The 2026 edition is the first official, permitted version organized by the original founders. For this year the roundabout will be closed to vehicle traffic during the event so runners have exclusive use of the loop. Timing is self-monitored; runners track distance with a GPS device or phone and must show recordings to be recognized as finishers. There is no official timing or declared winner.
Race operations include direction switches every 30 minutes, when all participants change running direction. Runners move at varied paces in a confined space, so organizers note simple etiquette and pace zones: slower runners should stay toward the inside of the loop to allow faster runners to pass on the outside.
Whaleathon is free for spectators, activates a neighborhood public space, and supports local vendors. A portion of event proceeds is donated to Grow the Flow to support the Great Salt Lake. The event began organically in 2023 and has grown each year. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
