2025 Elephant Rock Trail Run Races - Year 9
Welcome to Utah’s gnarly 50k and the original Elephant Rock Trail Races!!! The challenging and famous Elephant Rock consists of four races: the 7-miler, the half-marathon, the full-marathon, and the 50K. Join us for the 9th annual run in the beautiful, scenic Mueller Park in Bountiful, Utah. The 50k “challenging” course offers views of untamed terrain from single track and fire roads starting at the Holbrook Canyon trailhead and weaving through The Great Western, Sessions Mountains, Mill Creek, Kenney Creek, and Mueller Park. We have a strict cut-off time of 13 hours imposed upon us by the park. This is one of the main reasons this race is extremely difficult for first-time 50kers. We highly encourage those undertaking this challenge to have already run at least a full trail marathon before attempting this course. Everyone else will have 8 hours to complete all three distances (7-miler, long-half, and the full marathon). If anyone does not finish within the cutoff times, they will receive a finishers award but will not have an official time recorded.
2025 - UPDATES from 7/28/2024
With the development of new trails at Mueller Park, we continuously work with the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest services to update the course. Change has been approved for a small section of the course. This impacted the Half, Full, and 50k courses. The 7-miler distance remains the same as in previous years.
The Change: The 0.5-mile section of the Pipeline known as "Elephant Ridge" and "The Chute" has been eliminated to utilize only park-approved designated trails. The course will follow the newly built designated "North Canyon Trail" just before that turn-off. Course distances, challenges, and all the fun have been preserved. Course details have been added to the "Course Description" section.
Utah Slam of Ultra Qualifier
Starting in 2023, Elephant Rock 50k is one of the required races for the Utah "Trail Series" Slam of Ultra Running award. Registering for this race itself does not qualify you for the award. Detailed information, challenge updates and requirements will be posted here as soon as registration opens for the Trail Series Slam.
50K Course - 2025 is the Alternate-Course
The 50k alternate course will take effect contingent on trail conditions and the weather. The alternate course eliminates the section from Mill Creek to Kenny Creek from the course. By doing that, the only option to reconnect the course to Mueller Park will be to run an out and back on the first section (total 15.5 miles, 7.75 miles/section) and finish the course with the 16.3-miler trail at Mueller Park. Overall, the trails in the first section of the 50k course are always ready for the event, with a few snow spots here and there at the Great Western when the area gets a harsh winter, but the snow is usually gone in the 2 weeks before the event. By the way, trails dry out quickly. In the second section, at Mueller Park, the trails are pristine. The only concerning section that leads us to make this course change decision is the one from Mill Creek to Kenney Creek (miles 11-17), the final segment connecting the first section to Mueller Park. Although the snow is not typically an issue on those trails, the contribution of a harsh winter and spring rain might make trail vegetation outgrown. Additionally, since the Forest Service does not maintain that section, trails might become unrecognizable. The vegetation can outgrow chest-high and become jungle-like. There could be many fallen trees in that section, in particular. There would be a lot of bushwhacking needed during the event (something unexpected in a race, unless you’re doing The Barkley Marathons), and honestly speaking, that’s how you would feel by going through Mill Creek and Kenney Creek. You will still have the epic experience of running on the Great Western, a section of the Wastach100, near Sessions Mountains, with amazing views and running at Mueller Park and good elevation gain throughout the course. We are continuing to work with the Forest Service to provide the safest racing experience for everyone involved.
Original Elephant Rock Trail Run Courses
The Elephant Rock Trail Run is a challenging trail race through an area truly a hidden gem in the Wasatch Mountains. The course at Mueller Park, a half-marathon trail, winds across and up the mountain, keeping the elevation gain manageable (about 2,516 +/- ft over the entire course). For those who raced this course before, the crazy fun- adding 800 ft. of vertical climb in less than half a mile near the beginning of the race was eliminated! It was what we called “Elephant Ridge,” which led to another 0.5 miles of extremely rocky, technical steep descent down “The Chute” with lots of gravel that challenged even the elite runners not to fall. This race is also ideal for road runners who want to see what running trails are like. You will love this so much that you will be converted to trail running :) Check out a video showing the course below: "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8ZOZswaAnU">Course Preview Video
Registration - Enjoying the Outdoors Safely and Responsibly
Event permits are contingent on state and county safety guidelines to protect the public. We follow the guidelines and healthy hygiene practices outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and the Utah Department of Health. Please continue your efforts to safe practices when recreating outside. Also, please check the Outdoor Recreation Resources for further instructions: https://coronavirus.utah.gov/recreation/
One more thing: Please be respectful of one another approach to the subject. The event is not here to impose nor support personal agendas.
Course Description - 7/28/2024 UPDATE
** Please, review 50k Course information above.
The Elephant Rock 50k is one gnarly, stunning point to point course connecting Holbrook Canyon Trail, The Great Western, Sessions Pass, Mill Creek, Kenney Creek, Mueller Park Trailhead, North Canyon Trail, Rudy’s Flat, and Elephant Rock. This course is not for first time 50kers without having already run at least a full trail marathon, either an official race or self-supported. This course is tough. About 8,600’ of climb with 6,084' of climb just in the first 15.5-miler. Additionally, due to access, there will only be 2 limited aid stations for the first 15.5 miles, which includes the Start at Holbrook Canyon trailhead. You will have to carry at least a 2 liters of water while climbing. Think graduate level mountain run. The remaining section of the 50k is a moderately challenging trail at Elephant Ridge and North Canyon trail sections, but then it turns into one of the most scenic loop courses (16.3 miler). The long half-marathon distance is approximately 16.3-miler loop anti-clockwise. The full-marathon will run 10 miles (5-miler out & back) on the 7-miler course, heading to the Rock, and then the long half-marathon loop anti-clockwise. The Elephant Rock 7 miler runs from the bridge (start) to the "Rock," and back (3.5 miler each way).
The 50K course is in the Wasatch Mountains above Bountiful, Utah. The trail will be well marked. It consists of dirt trails (80%), dirt roads (19%), and paved ground at the start/finish line (1%). The half, full and 7-miler courses are all "on trails."
There is over 2,516 +/- ft. of elevation gain and loss at Mueller. The climb heading towards Rudy’s Flat is very light with rolling hills, known as North Canyon Trail, and then the rest of the way to the finish line is a fairly gentle mostly downhill slope. RACE TIME: 6:00 am (Cut-off time for all races, is 2:00 pm and no exceptions, except for the 50k. The 50k will start at 5:30 am. The cut-off time is 6:30pm and no exceptions) *** All participants will receive an Event Instruction email at least 2-3 weeks prior to race date. We will send it via the email you use during your registration.
USATF Sanctioned Event
The Elephant Rock Trail Run is sanctioned by USA Track & Field: https://www.usatf.org/
Refunds, transfers or deferments (rollover), and Distance changes Policy
We do NOT offer refunds, transfers, or deferments (rollovers).
A one-year deferment (rollover) will be allowed with a documented medical reason emailed 1 month before race day. In addition, if the city or USDA Forest Services cancel the event due to unforeseen circumstances such as the pandemic or fires, a one-year moratorium will be given to all participants, with no refunds. The entry fee you pay is for this year’s race (the year you signed up to run) and covers this year’s supplies, fees, insurance, etc. Please make the right decision when registering for the event.
Distance changes: No refund is given if downgrading. If upgrading, the original order is "removed," they are forwarded to the payment screen to pay the original difference.
Courses MAPS & GPX files
Courses maps and GPX files are available upon request. Please email us at elephantrocktrail@gmail.com
Volunteers
We need volunteers! If you volunteer for a full shift you get free entry (1/2 shift equals 50% off) to any course of your choice in addition to get free food at the finish and likely some swag. You cannot volunteer in the same year you are planning to race. Race credits are applied to the subsequent year only. Your Volunteering time can also count as "Service" to another ultra race event. Please, inquire us about it.
A volunteer icon is available in this site with a description of the tasks. Please, note: After you volunteered, in order to receive your entry comp, you must contact event via email, elephantrocktrail@gmail.com , so we can get you setup. You will not be automatically setup without event knowing your intent. Thank you for your volunteering!
Awards
All Finishers of all distances will receive a handcrafted medal. Top Female and Male of each distance will also receive a special award. There will NOT be AG awards. Differently from past years, there will NOT be 2nd or 3rd place prizes for each distance. Please, note: Every year, it is very unpredictable the number of participants. Our awards Supplier requires a minimum 2-month turnaround order. We will provide awards at the event "while supplies last." In case you do not receive your award "at the event," your award will be mailed to you. Please, make sure your ultrasignup contact is always up-to-date. This is very important!
Event's current local time: 6:28 AM MT
