Changes

The race will start and finish at the Antelope Island State Park Marina. The event field we have used for years is being rehabbed, and having the start/finish at the Ranch like 2022 is too far away logistically.  The good news is that the course will remain the same.  See the course description below for all the deets.

Distance – 50K, how far is that? 50K, oh, you mean in miles, it’s about 31 miles.
Vert – Yep, there is some. Oh, how much? Well, roughly 3900’ of gain.

Race Registration

Registration will open June 1st, 2024.  The entry fee for this year will be $107.61. On October 1, entry will be $117.73.

There may be race day registration this year, it depends on if the race is full or not. I’ll let everyone know around November 1st. If there is race day registration, the cost will be $120.00. If you wait until race day to register there is no guarantee of a shirt or other goodies.

Refunds

Click here for refund policy.

Discount Codes

DUMBEST IDEA EVER! Just makes your running buddy mad that you got into this sweet race for less money than he/she did. I don’t do them and have no plans to have any. Just pay the entry fee if you want to run the race.

Course Info

For 2024 the course will generally remain the same, a big loop around the island. The island marina will be the start/finish instead of the Ranch. Basically, start at the marina, go south to the Mountain View Trailhead and continue on the Mountain View Trail to the Ranch.   Continue south of the Ranch (NOTE:  This IS a drop bag location) on the dirt road, then head up the Sentry Peak Trail until you get to the North Sentry aid station. Then head downhill all the way to the shoreline. Continue to follow the old ranch road/trail until you get to the top of the switchbacks on the Split Rock Trail. Go down the switchbacks, then up Death Valley. You’ll see the Elephant Head aid station in the distance. After Elephant Head, continue on the White Rock Trail until you get to the White Rock trailhead. There will be an aid station here (NOTE: This is not a drop bag location). Turn right and follow the dirt road along the chain link fence all the way to the Mountain View Trail. Head north on that trail until you finish.

Between the North Sentry aid station and the top of the switchbacks, there will be no course markings, but the trail is super easy to follow and no one has gone off course in this section.

Here’s a link to the gpx of the course.

Race Check In

Check in is at the big parking lot near the entry station to the park. Your bib will get you on to the island for the day. Check in will be from 6:00am until around 8:30am, however, your race starts at 8:00am, so plan on getting to check in before 7:30am. It’ll take you about 15 minutes to get from check in to the marina.  DO NOT go past the entrance station without your bib.

Aid Stations

Some of the aid stations aren’t real close together, so you’ll need to plan accordingly. Lower Frary – 6.1 miles from the start.  Ranch – 11.7 miles from the start.  Also the only drop bag location on the course.  North Sentry – About 15.5 miles from the start. No drop bags here. 1000′ climb. Elephant Head – About 24 miles from the start.  No drop bags here.  White Rock Bay – This one is about 5.5 miles from Elephant Head and 29.5 miles from the start.  No drop bags here either.  Start/finish – 31.7 miles.  Yay!  You finished.

Time Limits

The time limit for the 50K will be 10 hours. That means you need to cross the finish line no later than 6pm.

Timing

We hand time the race.  Just make sure your bib is visible when you cross the finish line.

Drop Bags

There will be two drop bag locations, one at the start/finish (duh) and the other at the Ranch aid station.  That’s it.

Dogs

I love dogs. Your dog is welcome to run the race with you. They must be on a leash at all times, even when you’re out of sight of everyone. If you are busted with your dog off leash, you risk disqualification from the race plus if the park catches you, you can be fined. I now have a dog policy, please read it.

Camping

Reserve a campsite if you want to camp out. There will be camping at the start only for volunteers. Here’s the link.

Some Rules

Here are a few of the rules. We’ll make up others as needed.

1. NO TRASHING THE PARK. If you are observed purposely dropping litter of any kind (including the little gel tab thingies), you will be removed from the race. Period. We will have trash cans setup a ways outside each refreshment stop. Drop your trash in those or carry them with you. They aren’t that heavy. This ain’t no road race and we aren’t your Mother and don’t want to sweep the course to pick up your trash.
2. Don’t cut the course. Of course that would be kind of difficult. Make sure your race number shows.
3. No bandits. I know the trails are open to anyone and you certainly could, but you risk being banned from future events if you do.
4. No pacers. Come on now, really. If you need a pacer for a measly 31 miles, well, we won’t go there. Of course you can hang with someone else running the race if you’d like.
5. No aid outside of the aid stations. It’s pretty easy for your friends and family to follow you and meet you at the three road crossings and at the Ranch. They can heckle you or cheer you on, but don’t take any aid from them.

Weather

Weather, hmmm, it has snowed on the race before when it was held in November, so be prepared. It could also be a pretty nice, but cool day, perfect for that PR. Usually…it’s a pretty nice Fall day!

Directions to Antelope Island

If you’re coming from either the north or south on I-15, take exit 332. This exit has a state park sign on the freeway. It’s also the Antelope Drive exit.  Go west on Antelope drive. This means turn left off the northbound exit and right off the southbound exit. Drive about 4-5 miles towards the Great Salt Lake (west). Just before the lake you will run out of houses, etc. and see the main gate on to the island causeway. Just prior to the main gate, there is a paved parking lot on the left. This is where you can check in Friday morning. You will pick up your goody bag, etc. here. Your bib is your pass on to the island. There is no separate island pass. If you carpool with your friends and your family comes out later, they will have to pay the entrance fee ($15/car) to get on the island. Go across the causeway towards the island, enjoy the scenery of the mud flats and water. Once on the island, you will see the marina immediately on your right.  There is a dirt entrance just past the pavement parking.  Turn there and everyone will be parking in the large dirt lot next to the marina.  Do not park in the paved lot as that is for visitors to the marina area.

Finish Line Stuff

We’ll have some sort of food for you to eat when you finish. My lovely wife will once again make buffalo chili for everyone. We’ll do a vegetarian version as well. Soda, beer from Roosters Brewery, cookies, possibly some homebrew, maybe some other stuff. We’ll have a large canopy up for you to hang out around.

Awards

So, everyone that finishes will get a nifty coffee mug as a small token of your awesome accomplishment. The overall male and female 50K winners will get some sort of trophy as well as some lunch money.

Miscellaneous Stuff

You may encounter Bison out on the course. The first year there were some blocking the trail for the front runners just a quarter mile from the finish. No, you don’t get time compensation for buffalo delays. Go around the animals if you can, or just wait them out. Your call. Usually the females will move out of the way. Lift a tail and check if you’re not sure of the gender. If you can do that, then you’ll probably be eligible for a Darwin award. If you have family following you, make sure they don’t speed. The speed limit on the island is 25 mph except for the ranch road, where it’s 40 mph. The rangers do write tickets.