Moab Trail Marathon 2026: Shuttle, Parking and Start Times
Race weekend is November 7 and 8. Nobody parks at the start, so here is how the shuttle, packet pickup and Kane Creek traffic work.
Quick answer: The Moab Trail Marathon is Saturday, November 7 and Sunday, November 8, 2026, starting at the Kane Creek Recreation parking lot. There is no parking at the start on race day: runners ride a shuttle from Helen M Knight Elementary School, about 13 minutes and 5 miles. Entry fees run from $45 to $190.
The weekend includes a trail marathon, half marathons, a 10K and a Kids K, and the Saturday half marathon doubles as a national championship. The start is in canyon country west of town, which is why logistics matter more than the distances.
Local tip: Pick up your packet on Friday. It is the only time you can drive to and park at the Kane Creek lot, it gets you a coupon for a free fry or shake at Milt's Stop & Eat, and it means race morning is just the shuttle.
Moab Trail Marathon schedule and start times
Runners start in waves, and your wave and shuttle time are assigned when you register. The times below are the first and last wave of each race.
| Day | Race | First to last wave | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, Nov 7 | Marathon | 7:45 to 8:25 am | 6 waves |
| Sat, Nov 7 | Kids K | 8:45 am | |
| Sat, Nov 7 | Half marathon | 9:50 to 10:15 am | 6 waves. The 9:50 wave is for the USATF and Collegiate championships; an 11:00 am sleep in wave is also offered. |
| Sat, Nov 7 | 10K adventure run | 10:25 to 10:27 am | 4 waves |
| Sun, Nov 8 | Half marathon | 8:00 to 8:45 am | 3 waves |
Source: Moab Trail Marathon race info, checked November 1, 2026. The RunSignup listing shows slightly different wave counts for some races (RunSignup race info), so confirm your wave in your registration email. The weekend hosts the 2026 USATF Trail Half Marathon National Championships and the Collegiate Trail Running Championships.
Shuttle, parking and packet pickup
There is no on site parking at the start on race day. Runners take a shuttle or get dropped off, and the race page is blunt about it.
| Item | What the race says |
|---|---|
| Race day parking | No parking at the start. Take the shuttle or be dropped off by a friend or family member. |
| Shuttle pickup | South side of Helen M Knight Elementary School in Moab. |
| Ride time | About 13 minutes and 5 miles to the start. |
| Packet pickup, Friday Nov 6 | 2 to 6 pm at the Kane Creek Recreational Parking Lot (the start and finish). Parking is limited, so pick up quickly. |
| Packet pickup, race morning | From 6:15 am, by shuttle from the elementary school. |
| Friday pickup perk | A coupon for a free fry or shake at Milt's Stop & Eat. |
Source: Moab Trail Marathon race info, checked November 1, 2026.
Watching the race
The race page gives no spectator rules. RunSignup's listing says spectators can ride a free shuttle between the finish and the school once all participants have reached the venue (RunSignup race info, checked October 31). Treat that as unconfirmed until you hear from the race. Questions go to director@moabtrailmarathon.com.
The course runs through canyons and along rim tops, so most of it cannot be seen from the finish area. Plan to watch the finish, not the course.
What race weekend means for Kane Creek Boulevard
The start and finish are in the Kane Creek area west of town. The BLM says you reach the Kane Creek Recreation Area by turning west off Highway 191 onto Kane Creek Boulevard and driving about 2 miles (BLM Kane Creek Recreation Area, checked November 1, 2026).
The same road serves mountain bike and off highway vehicle trails, including Amasa Back, Hunter Canyon Rim and Pritchett Canyon, and Kane Springs Road becomes a 4WD, high clearance road past Ledges Campground. We could not find a published road closure or traffic plan for race weekend, so assume the road stays open but expect more shuttle buses, drop offs and runners near the Kane Creek lot on Saturday morning.
- Camping or riding on Kane Creek Boulevard? Arrive before the first waves or plan around them, and ask the race director whether any lots will be restricted.
- Not racing? Pick another trailhead on Saturday morning. Fisher Towers on Highway 128 and Corona Arch are on the other side of town.
- Dropping off a runner? Use the elementary school shuttle unless the race tells you otherwise.
The course and who it suits
This is a trail race on desert singletrack with canyon rim views, fully marked, with aid stations offering water and snacks (race info). The RunSignup description lists jeep trails, sandy washes, slickrock, short dirt road sections, an old mining trail and a couple of technical sections, and says no track sections exist (RunSignup, checked October 31).
Honest take: this is a technical course in remote country, not a road race with scenery. First time trail runners should read the course page and the cutoff times, which are in a separate PDF, before registering.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Entry fees | $45 to $190, depending on distance and registration date. |
| Availability | Numbers are limited, and Saturday races typically fill early. |
| Registration | On RunSignup. |
| Cutoff times | In the "Race Cutoff Times and Suggested Qualifying Times" PDF on the race site. |
Source: Moab Trail Marathon race info, checked November 1, 2026.
Making a race weekend of it
The Moab Folk Festival is on the same weekend, so lodging is tight. Browse Moab lodging early, and read our November in Moab guide for conditions. Moab Canyonland Airport averages roughly a 54°F high and a 27°F low in November (NOAA normals via the Climate Charts site), so expect cold, early starts.
Rest days work well at Arches, where a vehicle pays $30 for seven days and timed entry was not required in 2026 (NPS, checked November 1, 2026).
Moab Trail Marathon: common questions
When is the Moab Trail Marathon in 2026?
Saturday, November 7 and Sunday, November 8, 2026. Saturday has the marathon, half marathon, 10K and Kids K. Sunday has a half marathon only.
Where does the Moab Trail Marathon start?
At the Kane Creek Recreation Parking Area in the Kane Creek area west of Moab. The start and finish are in the same place.
Can I park at the start?
No. The race says there is no on site parking on race day. Runners take the shuttle from Helen M Knight Elementary School or are dropped off.
How long is the shuttle ride?
About 13 minutes and 5 miles from the south side of Helen M Knight Elementary School to the start.
When is packet pickup?
Friday, November 6, from 2 to 6 pm at the Kane Creek Recreational Parking Lot, or on race morning from 6:15 am by shuttle from the elementary school.
How much does it cost to enter?
The race lists entry fees from $45 to $190, depending on the distance and when you register.
Is the Moab Trail Marathon sold out?
Numbers are limited and Saturday races typically fill early. Check RunSignup for current availability.
Is Kane Creek Boulevard closed during the race?
We found no published closure. Expect extra shuttle and drop off traffic near the Kane Creek lot, and ask the race director at director@moabtrailmarathon.com.
Can spectators ride the shuttle?
RunSignup says spectators can ride a free shuttle between the finish and the school after all runners have reached the start. The race page does not list spectator rules, so confirm with the race.
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Last checked November 1, 2026. Dates, prices and rules change; confirm with the organizers and land managers linked above before you go.