Why Sign Up For This Race?

Beautiful course, free breakfast, good company, race photos, custom locally made finisher medal and awards, friendly competition, and a performance t-shirt you will actually want to wear when running. What more could you want Really if you can think of something let us know and we will try to get it!

As the name suggests the Apex Half Marathon is the hardest Half Marathon we offer. This race will have you running up one of the most scenic canyons in the area in the middle of winter. The canyon road is closed to vehicle traffic in the winter due to snow and ice. Butterfield Canyon will not disappoint with beautiful mountain views and an amazing canyon run free of vehicles.

We offer the 10k distance as well for those who may want to opt for a less difficult morning in the canyon. The 10k is still a challenging route with amazing views in the lower canyon where there will be far less snow.

Snowshoes required for both distances! See details in description below.

We get the winter blues every year so we wanted to make a race in January that would push you in fun and challenging ways. Like we always say at Happy Trails Running events, if it doesn't challenge you it won't change you.

Due to the Canyon being closed there will be no aid stations on this course. Adding to the challenge and making the finish all the more rewarding! We will have colored bands at the 10k and Half turn around to ensure runners went the entire distance.

General

Race
January 10th 2026
Starts and finishes at Butterfield Canyon Trailhead 8300 W Hwy 111, Herriman, UT 84096

Half Marathon will start 9:00 am
Early - $55 (ends 8/10)
Normal Registration - $65
Late - $75 (begins 12/10)

10k will start 9:30 am
Early - $40 (ends 8/10)
Normal Registration - $50
Late - $60 (begins 12/10)

Packet pickup
Friday 3 pm to 6 pm at the Sandy Salt Lake Running Store 8946 S State St, Sandy, UT 84070.

Race day pickup starts at 7:30 am located at the starting line.

We recommend all runners arrive at least 45 minutes before their races start time to ensure a stress free and smooth start. Pre-race announcement 15 minutes before the race begins.

Snowshoes
Snowshoes required for all runners. The first couple miles may be packed down well but the last couple miles will not be. Runners will also have to yield the uphill snow track to uphill runners. This means the front of the pack runners could in essence be blazing a trail up and again down the canyon. We are requiring snowshoes for all runners for safety and comfort.

These snowshoes can be rented from REI at the Salt Lake City location. We recommend buying your own snowshoes and using them to train and prepare for this race. Snowshoes are worth it and a great way to train during the winter.

Swag
Runners will receive a high quality race shirt and a custom locally made finishers medal.

Post Race Breakfast
Great Harvest Bread will have cinnamon rolls, seasonal bread, and pumpkin chocolate chip bread! We will also have chocolate milk, orange juice, and bananas.

Awards
Overall male and female for Half Marathon will receive a custom locally made plaque for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. Salt Lake Running Company will provide 1st place with gift cards as well!

Age Division medals will also be handed out to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place male and female in these age groups: >20, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+

Free Photos
Xotio Media will be on the course taking photos as well as the finish line. Photos will be hosted on their website providing easy access for downloads using bib recognition. We will NOT put a logo or watermark on your picture. Instead of ruining your picture with our logo we would rather rely on you telling your friends and family about our races!

Aid Stations
No aid stations. This canyon road is closed to all vehicle traffic due to snow in the winter. This is part of the challenge!

Parking
Free parking. Limited parking on the street leading to canyon gate. Just under half a mile away is a huge parking lot.

Word of mouth
Your friends and family are the best way to promote this race. Running is much more fun with a buddy!

Volunteers
These events are not possible without help! To show our appreciation all volunteers will receive a $65 credit for any future Happy Trails race. Expires after one year. In addition volunteers will have access to food at the finish line area.

Late Registration
Begins December 10th and closes January 9th at 11:59 pm

Same Day Registration
Not available. Registration will close Friday night at 11:59 pm

Weather
Average high is 35*F and average low is 25*F

Race Director - Don Hantla
801-230-5070
happytrailsrace@gmail.com

Half Marathon

The Half Marathon starts just past the gate at Butterfield Canyon Trailhead. This gate will be closed due to the snow this canyon experiences every winter. With any luck there will be a fresh dusting of snow. Nothing is more pretty and rewarding than snowshoeing on fresh untouched snow.

This challenging course will have you climbing the first 6.55 miles up this beautiful canyon taking in amazing views. This is a special canyon and we just love being able to run it with no vehicles.

No aid stations on this course. We recommend bringing a hydration bottle or flask. This is a very challenging course due to the elevation gain!

13.1 miles and +2,267 ft elevation total
100% canyon road closed to vehicles

No cutoff time, we want everyone finishing even if it means walking.

10K

The 10k starts just past the gate at Butterfield Canyon Trailhead. This gate will be closed due to the snow this canyon experiences every winter. With any luck there will be a fresh dusting of snow. Nothing is more pretty and rewarding than snowshoeing on fresh untouched snow.

This course still has you running up the canyon like the Half Marathon but is much more of a mellow incline. This is a special canyon and we just love being able to run it with no vehicles.

No aid stations on this course. We recommend bringing a hydration bottle or flask.

6.2 miles and +711 ft elevation total
100% canyon road closed to vehicles

No cutoff time, we want everyone finishing even if it means walking.

Navigation

Course is very easy to follow. Stay on the canyon road. We will have wristbands the runners will have to pick up to prove they made it all the way to the turn around. Grab one and bomb back down to the finish!

About Us

At Happy Trails Running we focus on a beautiful course and an amazing experience. We want our races to be events that runners look forward to every year. We believe in quality over quantity which is why we cap all races at 300 or less participants. This lets us hold races in unique areas that would be off limits to a large race due to parking and trail capacity.

We also believe in keeping everything local. This enables us to both support our community but also keep costs down. We want our races to be simple, affordable, and convenient for runners. You won't find huge expos at our races, just local businesses, friends, and family having a great time!

If there is anything we can do to improve your experience with our races please reach out to us. We are always trying to improve our events. Your feedback, what you liked and did not like, is the best way to achieve this.

Our courses will not focus on setting PR's with mostly downhill running but instead on enjoying all of the beautiful trails the Wasatch Mountains have to offer. We hope our races will make lasting memories and experiences for all of our runners.

If it doesn't challenge you, it won't change you!

We hope to see you at the races or on the trails. Until then, Happy Trails!

Event's current local time: 5:43 PM MT