If you’re looking for a place to chase a half marathon this summer, Utah deserves a spot on your short list. Between June and August, the state offers a mix of high-desert heat, mountain cool-downs, and scenery that makes every mile feel like an adventure. Whether you’re after a fast downhill course, a run through red rock country, or a quiet trail in the pines, these four upcoming races give you plenty of reasons to lace up.
Drop13 Big Cottonwood Canyon Half Marathon & 5K
Saturday, June 13, 2026 – Holladay, Utah
This one starts high in Big Cottonwood Canyon and drops 13.1 miles down a winding road into the valley. The net downhill profile is famous for personal bests, but the real draw is the scenery—granite cliffs, pine forests, and mountain air that makes the effort feel lighter. It earned a quality score of 77 out of 100, and with early summer weather, it’s a strong pick for a fast, scenic half.
2026 Bryce Canyon Half Marathon
Saturday, July 11, 2026 – Bryce Canyon, Utah
If you’ve ever wanted to run through a national park, here’s your chance. The Bryce Canyon Half Marathon takes place entirely inside Bryce Canyon, with views of the iconic hoodoos and high-altitude plateaus (start elevation around 8,000 feet). The course is mostly paved, but the elevation gain and thin air make it a challenge worth taking. Plus, you get to finish in a place that looks like another planet.
Parowan City Half Marathon - Yankee Meadow Run
Saturday, August 1, 2026 – Parowan, Utah
Tucked into the Dixie National Forest near Parowan, the Yankee Meadow Run offers a quieter, more rustic experience. The course winds through meadows and aspen groves on a mix of dirt roads and single-track, with a gentle elevation profile that suits both first-timers and trail-curious road runners. It’s a small-town event with big-hearted aid stations and a post-race barbecue that feels like a community cookout.
Hobble Creek Half Marathon
Saturday, August 22, 2026 – Mapleton, Utah
Hobble Creek Canyon delivers a point-to-point course that starts in the canyon and finishes in the quiet town of Mapleton. The downhill slope is gentle enough to hold a steady pace, and the canyon walls provide shade for much of the early miles. Late August in Utah can still be warm, but the canyon keeps things cooler than the valley floor. It’s a solid choice for a late-summer goal race.
Utah’s half marathon scene is as diverse as its landscape. Whether you’re chasing a PR, a national park buckle, or just a weekend escape, there’s a race here calling your name.
Ready to find your next Utah half marathon? Browse all upcoming half marathons in Utah here.