Whaleathon
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Whaleathon 2026
Whaleathon is a community endurance challenge held around the "Out of the Blue" roundabout at 900 S and 1100 E in Salt Lake City's 9th & 9th neighborhood. The event task is a full marathon distance of 26.2 miles, which equates to about 630 laps of the roundabout where each lap measures roughly 0.04 miles. Whaleathon began in 2023 and the 2026 edition is the first official permitted event organized by the original founders.
This edition includes a temporary road closure of the roundabout so participants have the full loop to themselves. Timing is self monitored; runners use a GPS watch or phone and must show a recording to be recognized as a finisher. There is no official timing and no declared winner. Every 30 minutes race directors signal a direction switch and all runners reverse direction around the loop. Runners share the loop at varied paces, with slower runners advised to keep toward the inside of the roundabout and faster runners passing on the outside.
Whaleathon is free for spectators, activates a neighborhood public space, and supports local vendors. Fifteen percent of proceeds are donated to Grow the Flow to benefit the Great Salt Lake. Registration closes October 21, 2026. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
