*BRIAN HEAD TO WOODS RANCH*
Sun Van containing runners:
El Capitan, Shoshoni, Six Pack
Pre, Maverick, & Secret Agent
Sun Van containing runners:
El Capitan, Shoshoni, Six Pack
Pre, Maverick, & Secret Agent
Leg 1 "Giant Steps"
4 miles moderate difficulty
Description: Athlete will ride the "Giant Steps" ski lift to the top of the mountain then run down a groomed trail back to that Brian Head parking lot. Observe stunning morning panorama views and alpine scenery.
Safety: The trail is groomed but be cautious of uneven surfaces. There is no van support on this leg.
Training Tips: Spend some time running your local trail runs and practice running descending as this entire section is downhill. You don't want your quads tightening up on you!
Leg 2 "Twisted Forest"
6 miles hard difficulty
Description: Athlete will exchange with runner 1 inside the parking lot and proceed to do a loop around the resort. This leg is on mixed asphalt and running trails. Enjoy the evergreens and aspens as you charge through the forest.
Safety: The trail is groomed but be cautious of uneven surfaces. There is no van support on this leg.
Training Tips: As this leg is rolling hills, look for opportunities to train on varied elevations. Pace yourself up and down and use a quicker foot cadence opposed to long strides.
Leg 3 "Top of the World"
3 miles moderate difficulty
Description: Athlete will exchange at the intersection of 148 and proceed the climb out of the resort and into Cedar Breaks. Runner will experience million dollar views from the top of this route.
Safety: Entire run on asphalt, low traffic but be aware of surroundings. Stay on the left shoulder to oppose oncoming traffic. Van will initiate following and providing runner support.
Training Tips: Build up those leg muscles as the second half of this run completes the final climb out of the resort. When running up hill use a fast cadence and smaller steps. Pumping your arms also helps to drive momentum.
Leg 4 "Cedar Disco Break 1"
5 miles moderate difficulty
Description: Running through Cedar Breaks is a once in a lifetime experience. Athlete will run a rolling 5 mile asphalt run through the National Park. Views to your right will be of the monument.
Safety: Entire run on asphalt, low traffic but be aware of surroundings. Stay on the left shoulder to oppose oncoming traffic.
Training Tips: Remember that these first legs are all over 10k feet elevation. Cardiovascular exercise is not easy at this height!
Leg 5 "Cedar Disco Break 2"
2.5 miles easy difficulty
Description: Running through Cedar Break is a once in a lifetime experience. Athlete will run a rolling 2.5 mile asphalt run through the National Park. Views to your right will be of the monument.
Safety: Entire run on asphalt, low traffic but be aware of surroundings. Stay on the left shoulder to oppose oncoming traffic.
Training Tips: Remember that these first legs are all over 10k feet elevation. Cardiovascular exercise is not easy at this height!
Leg 6 "Cedar Canyon 1"
6.5 miles moderate difficulty
Description: Athlete will exchange at the turn onto highway 14 then proceed down Cedar Canyon. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the canyon with running streams and sheer canyon walls to keep you company.
Safety: This run takes place highway 14 which is a busier road. Stay to the left and run the wide shoulder against oncoming traffic.
Training Tips: As this entire leg is downhill, look for chances to build your quad muscles. Downhill running is fast but place more stress on the quads, shins, and calves.
*WOODS RANCH TO KOLOB*
Snow Van containing runners:
Hamstring, De Boom, Joker
Cholla, Bear Claw, & Anchor
Leg 7 "Cedar Canyon 2"Hamstring, De Boom, Joker
Cholla, Bear Claw, & Anchor
6.5 miles moderate difficulty
Description: Leaving Woods ranch the runner will turn left onto highway 14 and proceed down Cedar Canyon. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the canyon with running streams and sheer canyon walls to keep you company. At mile 6.4 you will turn left onto Right Hand canyon road, proceed across the bridge to the exchange on the left hand side of the road.
Safety: This run takes place highway 14 which is a busier road. Stay to the left and run the wide shoulder against oncoming traffic.
Training Tips: As this entire leg is downhill, look for chances to build your quad muscles. Downhill running is fast but places more stress on the quads, shins, and calves.
* Runners 8-10 will battle the 7 mile climb we affectionately call "Satan's Stairmaster"
Leg 8 "Satan's Stairmaster 1"
2.1 miles moderate difficulty
Description: Climbing, climbing, climbing. Dont let the distance of this leg fool you. The average incline is an 11% grade and during the day temps in this area can hit mid 90's. Look back up the canyon to see amazing views of Cedar Breaks and down to the right to see all of Cedar City and the surrounding valleys
Safety: The road is twisting alpine style road with a small shoulder, but little traffic. This is very UPHILL, wear a hat, keep your shirt wet and cool and stretch your calves well.
Training Tips: This leg has NO flat sections, its all uphill with a climb over 800 feet in 2.1 miles
Leg 9 "Satan's Stairmaster 2"
2.3 miles moderate difficulty
Description: Run or walk real fast up up and away. We like to call this section satans StairMaster because it will be a hellacious climb and you will definitely feel the burn. The average incline is an 11% grade and during the day temps in this area can hit mid 90's. Look back up the canyon to see amazing views of Cedar Breaks and down to the right to see all of Cedar City and the surrounding valleys. The exchange takes place on the right side of the road just before a cattle crossing at the "C Trail" parking lot.
Safety: The road is twisting alpine style road with a small shoulder, but little traffic. This is very UPHILL, wear a hat, keep your shirt wet and cool and stretch your calves well.
Training Tips: Vertical gain is over 1000 feet on this leg so run or walk some hills to prepare yourself
Leg 10 "Satan's Stairmaster 3"
3.1 miles moderate difficulty
Description: Yes, a little more climbing. But not to fret its only 700 feet until you top out on the Kolob Terrace road. This is the easiest of the 3 climbs as towards the top its more gradual. The road turns from asphalt to the graded dirt road that will lead you to ZION. The exchange is at the transition from asphalt to dirt.
Safety: The road is twisting alpine style road with a small shoulder, but little traffic. This is very UPHILL, wear a hat, keep your shirt wet and cool and stretch your calves well.
Training Tips: Run up some hills. Do it. Do it now
Leg 11 "Aspen Hills"
8.5 miles hard difficulty
Description: Beautiful rolling dirt road run thru groves of aspen trees, wildflowers and evergreen.
Safety: The trail is groomed but be cautious of uneven surfaces. One of the longer legs of the race, be sure to stay hydrated. Tell your drivers to drive slow, to minimize dust.
Training Tips: As this leg is on rolling hills, look for opportunities to train on varied elevations. Pace yourself up and down and use a quicker foot cadence opposed to long strides.
Leg 12 "Kolob Approach"
9 miles hard difficulty
Description: Beautiful rolling dirt road run thru groves of aspen trees, wildflowers and evergreens with a little more downhill into Kolob resevoir
Safety: The trail is groomed but be cautious of uneven surfaces. One of the longer legs of the race, be sure to stay hydrated. Tell your drivers to go slow, to minimize dust.
Training Tips: As this leg is rolling hills, look for opportunities to train on varied elevations.
