BRYCE CANYON CITY — The annual Bryce Canyon Half Marathon event, which started as a local scouting project 15 years ago, is set to go next weekend.
The half marathon has grown into a popular annual activity in Bryce Canyon Country. The event was initiated in 2004 with the intention of bringing visitors to the area and has grown to have around 1,500 participants, including international visitors from countries such as Norway and Colombia.
The half marathon starts at Ruby’s Inn on July 14 at 6 a.m. Participants will run along Highway 63 and Scenic Byway 12 before finishing in Cannonville. Over the course of the race, runners will drop more than 1,800 feet in elevation. Runners that are unable to complete the half marathon by 9 a.m. will be picked up by a shuttle so that Scenic Byway 12 can open both lanes of traffic.
The top five overall male and female runners will receive cash prizes divided from $3,000.
In addition to the 13.1-mile race, the Bryce Canyon Half Marathon includes a 5K and a Color Me Fun Run, both of which take place in Cannonville. The Color Me Fun Run is July 13 at 6:30 p.m., while the 5K is July 14 at 6:30 a.m.
The fee to register for these races is $60 for the half marathon, $35 for the 5K and $10 for the Color Me Fun Run. Registration includes a finisher’s medal, which is awarded at the finish line, and a runner’s shirt designed for this year’s event.
Runners will have access to water stations and portable toilets along the routes as well as bagels, fruit and chocolate milk in the runner’s corral at the end of the race. Race packets can be picked up July 13 between noon and 10 p.m. at the Grand Staircase National Monument Visitor Center in Cannonville.
A spaghetti dinner sponsored by the Bryce Valley Booster Club is being held July 13 from 5-7 p.m. near the finish line in Cannonville. The meal includes spaghetti, a dinner roll, salad and lemonade. The dinner is a separate event from the race and costs $8 for guests 13 and older and $5 for those under 12. Funds raised from the dinner will go toward supporting athletics at Bryce Valley High School.
Aside from the Bryce Canyon Half Marathon and associated activities, Bryce Canyon Country features many other summer adventures that can be enjoyed. These activities include hiking, biking, exploring, swimming, horseback riding and off-roading. Ruby’s Inn also offers several great activities, which can be found here.
For more information, click here or follow Bryce Canyon Half Marathon on Facebook. To book a room at Ruby’s Inn, click here.
Event details
- What: Bryce Canyon Half Marathon
- When: Half Marathon on July 14, 6 a.m., 5K on July 14 at 6:30 a.m., The Color Me Fun Run on July 13 at 6:30 p.m.
- Where: Starts at Ruby’s Inn, 26 South Main Street Bryce Canyon City, Utah 84764. Travels along Highway 63 and Scenic Byway 12 and finishes in Cannonville
- Admission: $60 for half marathon, $35 for 5K, $10 for Color Me Fun Run
- For more information click here; to book a room at Ruby’s Inn click here.
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