Arches Ultra 50 K

Overall score 3.1Good
Thin evidence2 sources#46 of 71 ultras

Moab, Utah · 51.5 km (32 mi) · 882 m (2,890 ft) gain

Race day Sat 30 Jan 2027

Website (opens in a new tab)

Is it right for you?

Footing
Moderate2.5
Climbing
Gently rolling3.9
Overall cutoff
Generous4.0
Intermediate cutoffs
Reasonable3.3
Crew access
Some points3.4
First timer friendly
Friendly3.9

Footing and climbing are course traits: 5 is the smoother, flatter end, not a better race.

Watch out: Follow slickrock flags and paint carefully. All 5

Held back by race (2.6) and support (2.9).

Best for

Provisional: based on 2 sources. Why

Ran it? Your rating helps.

Score breakdown

Every score is out of 5, and 5 is always the better end.

Each bar is a range of 0.25 points; the light bar holds this race. The average race scores 3.4.

What does this score mean?

Why runners love it

  • Two distance-matched runners valued the scenery and their finishes.
  • A recent first-time ultra runner recommends the event with appropriate preparation.

Watch out for

  • Follow slickrock flags and paint carefully.
  • Recent feedback describes limited finish-line activity for later arrivals.
  • The course borders Arches National Park; it does not enter it.
  • Bring reusable drinking equipment and plan around limited parking.
  • The 50 K aid chart ends at 32 mi (51.5 km) and contains one conflicting checkpoint time.

Latest or next race

Sat 30 Jan 2027

Official race site(madmooseevents.com, opens in a new tab)
Climbing
882 m (2,890 ft)
Cutoff
11 hours
Pace needed
20:36 per mi (12:48 per km)

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What runners say

Overall score 3.1 out of 5

2 reviews and race reports

2 reviews

  • Shelby Fox

    Raced 2026 · Team RunRun coach race report

    Tone: Positive

    The first-time ultra runner rated her 50 km (31.1 mi) experience four stars and would return. She liked volunteers, views and the cutoff, but found slickrock navigation demanding and late-finisher celebrations sparse. Her coaching affiliation is disclosed; her GPS ascent differs from the current official figure.

    Covers Support, Course, Conditions, Cutoffs, Stay and travel

    Read on teamrunrun.com (Team RunRun coach race report, opens in a new tab)

  • Ryan Goodman

    Raced 2018 · Ultrarunner Journal

    Tone: Positive

    The writer explicitly distinguishes his 2018 50 km (31.1 mi) run from his 2019 longer race. The earlier edition felt mentally challenging because of sustained slickrock, but he valued completing it and returned. Shared observations praise aid and scenery; the longer-race mud account does not describe his 50 K edition. Affiliate links and reader support appear on the blog.

    Covers Support, Course, Conditions

    Read on ultrarunnerjournal.com (Ultrarunner Journal, opens in a new tab)
Ran Arches Ultra 50 K? Rate it

Pick a score, then tell the next runner about the footing, cutoffs and aid stations.

Scores

Open a category for its ratings and the evidence behind them.

Good. How runners feel about it, how well it is run, and the community around it. Counts for 25% of the overall score.

Toughness for its distance: Tough

  • Runner satisfactionLoved4.0

    Two runners valued their finishes; one explicitly awarded four stars and would return. · Low confidence

  • OrganizationWell run3.8

    The recent runner found organization sound but late-finisher celebrations sparse. · Low confidence

  • Community and vibeWarm3.6

    Volunteers receive praise; the recent runner found little finish-line activity for later arrivals. · Low confidence

Good. Aid stations, crew access, drop bags and pacer rules. Counts for 25% of the overall score.

  • Aid stationsGood3.8

    The 2026 runner praises volunteers and supplies; the current maximum listed gap is 8 mi (12.9 km). · Low confidence

  • Crew accessSome points3.4

    Current linked chart permits crew at Bar M and Klonzo, with repeated visits. · Medium confidence

  • Drop bagsNone1.2

    Current linked official chart prohibits drop bags for the 50 K distance. · Medium confidence

Good. Course marking, scenery, and how runners rate the trail itself. Counts for 15% of the overall score.

  • Course markingMostly clear3.0

    Both runners warn that slickrock requires close attention to flags and painted markings. · Low confidence

  • ScenerySpectacular4.5

    Both accounts praise red-rock views and the surrounding mountains. · Low confidence

  • Trail experienceGreat4.0

    Scenic variety appeals, while prolonged hard slickrock adds physical and mental strain. · Low confidence

Course traits, not part of the score

  • FootingModerate2.5

    Both runners describe sustained hard slickrock and technical sections. · Low confidence

  • RunnabilityMostly runnable3.6

    The recent runner found most terrain approachable, with technical climbs requiring care. · Low confidence

  • ClimbingGently rolling3.9

    Climbs 90 ft per mi (17 m per km), from the recorded elevation gain. · High confidence

Very good. Race-day temperature and how predictable the weather is. Counts for 14% of the overall score.

  • Race-day temperatureWarm or cold3.2

    The recent runner describes a cold start and comfortable afternoon; historical conditions differ. · Low confidence

  • Weather reliabilityVariable2.9

    The older report contrasts dry ground with snowmelt mud across different editions. · Low confidence

Course traits, not part of the score

  • AltitudeModerate3.1

    The current highest point is 1,479 m (4,852 ft). · Low confidence

Very good. How generous the overall and intermediate cutoffs are for the terrain. Counts for 13% of the overall score.

  • Overall cutoffGenerous4.0

    A recent first-time ultra finisher found the allowance comfortable; the current chart allows eleven hours. · Low confidence

  • Intermediate cutoffsReasonable3.3

    Several checks apply, but the printed Bar M clock time conflicts with the finish deadline. · Medium confidence

Not part of the score

  • First timer friendlyFriendly3.9

    A recent first-time ultra runner recommends it with preparation for hills and slickrock. · Low confidence

  • Getting inUsually open4.0

    The organizer offers open registration and race-morning entry, subject to remaining places. · Low confidence

Very good. Getting there, places to stay, race-day logistics and value. Counts for 8% of the overall score.

  • LogisticsSimple3.7

    One start and finish simplifies travel, but limited parking requires planning. · Low confidence

Course

Route, 51.5 km (32 mi)

One big loop

Surface
Mixed
Climbing
882 m (2,890 ft)
Climb rate
Rolling, 17 m per km (90 ft per mi)
High point
1,479 m (4,850 ft)
Start
07:30

Cutoffs and aid

Overall cutoff
11 hours
Pace needed
20:36 per mi (12:48 per km)
Longest gap
13 km (8.0 mi)
Drop bags
None
Crew access
Some points

Getting in

Entry
Open

Checkpoint cutoffs

Current linked chart gives 18:30 finish; homepage starts 07:30. Bar M at 12 mi (19.3 km) prints 11:30 p.m., conflicting with final cutoff, so that checkpoint time is unresolved. Reconfirm with organizer.

CheckpointCutoff
Klonzo: 16 mi (25.7 km)26 km (16 mi)12:40 local
Klonzo: 27 mi (43.5 km)43 km (27 mi)17:00 local

Footing, aid and entry notes in full

Getting there and staying

Where to stay
The start-area RV campground is unavailable for the current event. Nearby camping and town lodging require separate arrangements.

Similar races

Closest on distance, course shape, climbing, footing, region and season.

  • Arches Ultra 50 Mile

    Overall score 3.1Moab, UT

    Point to point or one big loop · Similar climbing · Similar footing

  • Black Canyon 100K

    Overall score 4.1Mayer, AZ

    Point to point or one big loop · Similar climbing · Similar footing

  • Antelope Canyon Ultras 50 Mile

    Overall score 3.4Page, AZ

    Point to point or one big loop · Similar climbing · Similar footing

Every ultra ranked by likeness to this one

Key facts

Checked against the 2027 edition on the official race site. Rules change, so confirm before you enter.

Location
Moab, Utah, United States
Region
Mountain West
Typical month
January
Surface
Trail, slickrock and sand beside Arches National Park; the race does not enter the park. Current linked aid chart finishes at 32 mi (51.5 km), despite the 50 K name.
Footing
Official ascent is 882 m (2,894 ft), with technical slickrock. Athlete GPS measurements from other editions are not official course measurements.
Aid and crew
Official chart permits crew at Bar M and Klonzo, prohibits 50 K drop bags, and shows five on-course aid visits plus finish. Maximum listed gap 8 mi (12.9 km). Pacers unverified.

Sources

Pages we used for facts and ratings. See how we rate ultras.

Training for Arches Ultra 50 K? Moku Coach builds your plan around race day.