race.vacations
Dead Horse Ultra
Ultraslickrockdesert trailjeep road

Dead Horse Ultra

Moab, Utah, UT

The premier desert slickrock race in Moab: technically engaging, scenically stunning, and reliably cold at the gun — bring layers and a hydration pack.

When
November 14, 2026
Distances
50 Mile · 50K · 30K · 15K
Surface
Trail
Course
Unknown
Elevation gain
4,895 ft
Altitude
4,564 ft–5,797 ft
Weather
Cool
Nearest airport
CNY
Suggested trip
2 nights

Score breakdown

8.1/10

Strong. A strong destination race with real appeal.

Scenery / setting9.5· 20%
Course character8.0· 15%
Weather appeal6.0· 15%
Destination appeal9.0· 15%
Logistics practicality7.5· 15%
Difficulty clarity8.0· 10%
Data confidence8.0· 5%
Editorial judgment8.5· 5%

Also worth knowing (not weighted)

Non-runner appeal8.5
Remoteness5.0

Editorial score (v0.1) — full method on How we score. Never affected by sponsorships.

Weather

MonthAvg high / lowBand
November35–51°FCold
High cold riskSnow possible (~0.47 in)~0.39 in typical precipVery dry desert air; precipitation rare (~4 days/month) but snow possible. Pre-dawn start temps can dip well below 30°F — layering is critical.

Historical averages for planning — not a forecast. Always check conditions before race week.

Route & course

50 Mile

Unknown · Trail · starts 6:00 AM
Elev gain
4,895 ft
Elev loss
4,892 ft
High point
5,797 ft
Low point
4,564 ft
Start · 4,564 ftHigh point · 5,797 ftFinish · 4,564 ft

9 aid stations; 12h45m cutoff. Opens on ~4.5 miles of rough jeep road to spread the field, then transitions to technical slickrock and sandy singletrack on the Magnificent Seven trail system. Mixed-use course — expect mountain bikers, dirt bikers, and ATVs. Course record: 6h02m (M), 7h10m (F).

50K

Lollipop · Trail · starts 7:30 AM
Elev gain
2,805 ft
Elev loss
2,812 ft
High point
5,768 ft
Low point
4,560 ft
  • A shared stem leads into a loop
  • Note the loop direction
Start · 4,560 ftFinish · 4,560 ft

5 aid stations; 10h00m cutoff. Wave start at 7:30, 7:35, and 7:40 — runners self-select wave by anticipated finish time. Lollipop format returns to Gemini Bridges TH. Course record: 3h04m (M), 3h49m (F).

30K

Unknown · Trail · starts 9:00 AM
Elev gain
1,729 ft
Elev loss
1,729 ft
High point
5,131 ft
Low point
4,564 ft
Start · 4,564 ftFinish · 4,564 ft

Equal gain/loss and single venue suggest lollipop or out-and-back; format not explicitly confirmed by official source. Approachable for experienced trail runners.

15K

Unknown · Trail · starts 9:30 AM
Elev gain
932 ft
Elev loss
932 ft
High point
5,000 ft
Low point
4,564 ft
Start · 4,564 ftFinish · 4,564 ft

Entry-level trail option; equal gain/loss and single venue suggest out-and-back, but format not explicitly confirmed. Good intro to Moab slickrock terrain.

Travel

Base town
Moab
Nearest airport
CNY · 20 min
Rental car
Recommended
Rideshare
Limited
Lodging
Good
Facilities
Good
Trip length
2 nights
Travel complexity
4/10

Most visitors fly into Grand Junction (GJT, ~1.5 hrs) or Salt Lake City (SLC, ~3.5 hrs) — CNY has limited commercial service. A rental car is effectively required. Moab has ample lodging and dining but books up fast around popular race weekends.

Trailhead is ~10 miles north of Moab center via Hwy 191; easy drive. Book lodging early — Moab is a popular outdoor destination and November weekends fill. Packet pickup available at the trailhead the day before (Friday 2–6 p.m.) or race morning.

Best for / avoid if

Best for

  • Trail runners wanting a Moab destination race
  • Runners chasing the Triple Crown of Moab
  • Those seeking technical desert slickrock over high-mountain suffer
  • Runners who want multiple distance options (15K–50M) at one venue
  • trail enthusiasts
  • scenic runners
  • technical terrain lovers

Avoid if

  • You dislike shared-use trails with motor vehicles and mountain bikers
  • Cold pre-dawn starts (sub-30°F possible) are a dealbreaker
  • You need aid-station cups — this is strictly cup-free
  • prefer flat races
  • cannot handle rocky footing

First-timer mistakes

Forgetting a hydration pack or handheld — there are zero disposable cups on course. Also underestimating November cold: temperatures at the gun can dip well below 30°F, so bring more layers than you think you need.

Where to stay, eat & explore

Local picks for the weekend.

  • Arches National Park Activity

    World-famous sandstone arch formations, 5 miles north of Moab — a must for non-runners and post-race recovery days.

  • Canyonlands National Park Activity

    Vast canyon and mesa park adjacent to Moab; Island in the Sky district offers iconic overlooks 30 minutes from town.

  • Magnificent Seven MTB Trail System Activity

    The race course trails are a world-class mountain bike network — non-running companions can ride while you race.

  • 7 Mile RV Park CampgroundLodging

    Closest campground to the start/finish.

  • La Sal MountainsActivity

    High-elevation hiking/backdrop from course.

Runner reports

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Race history

Race-trip notes

Base in Moab (10 miles south of the trailhead); the town offers ample lodging, food, and outdoor activities making this an easy 2–3 night destination trip. Race sells out annually, so register early — price jumps one week out.

About this race

Starting at Gemini Bridges Trailhead, the Dead Horse Ultra sends runners across 100% unpaved desert terrain linking Getaway, Bull Run, Arth's Corner, Little Canyon, Gold Bar Rim, Golden Spike, and Poison Spider trails. The first 4.5 miles spread the field along a rough jeep road before singletrack slickrock and sandy trails take over; elevation relief is modest (~1,200 ft spread for the 50-mile) but the technical underfoot surface and shared-use traffic from mountain bikers and ATVers keep runners honest. This is a cup-free race — hydration packs or handhelds are required.

Last verified June 21, 2026. Race details can change — always confirm with the official race website.