Grand Canyon Trail Marathon, Half-Marathon, & 5k Run/Walk
- Date Sat 24th October 2026
- Time 7:30AM MST
- Location Grand Canyon Village, Arizona
- Price $11.60 - $107.00
- Races 6 races
- Distances Ultra, 5km, Half Marathon, Marathon
Event summary
Get ready for an unforgettable experience at the Grand Canyon Trail Marathon, Half-Marathon, and 5k Run/Walk, taking place on Saturday, October 24, 2026, in the breathtaking Grand Canyon area of Coconino, Arizona. Now in its 8th year, this exciting event invites runners and walkers of all ages to traverse the stunning Kaibab National Forest. Participants can choose from three distances: the challenging marathon, the scenic half-marathon, or the family-friendly 5k run/walk, making this the perfect event for everyone from seasoned athletes to casual adventurers.
The marathon and half-marathon courses feature a half-mile start on the sidewalk before leading into 11.5 miles of rugged forest jeep roads, offering an exhilarating mix of rocky sections, soft dirt, and hard-packed trails. With picturesque views of ponderosa pines and the iconic Grand Canyon backdrop, you'll be inspired every step of the way. The 5k course primarily follows the paved Arizona Trail, making it accessible for families with strollers and children. Experience the thrill of competition while enjoying the crisp autumn air and vibrant scenery, as this event promises to be a highlight of the fall season!
The marathon and half-marathon courses feature a half-mile start on the sidewalk before leading into 11.5 miles of rugged forest jeep roads, offering an exhilarating mix of rocky sections, soft dirt, and hard-packed trails. With picturesque views of ponderosa pines and the iconic Grand Canyon backdrop, you'll be inspired every step of the way. The 5k course primarily follows the paved Arizona Trail, making it accessible for families with strollers and children. Experience the thrill of competition while enjoying the crisp autumn air and vibrant scenery, as this event promises to be a highlight of the fall season!
Organiser's Description
RACE INFO
Now in its 8th year, this event is produced by life-long runners who know the beauty of running, walking, and hiking through scenic and challenging terrain. Run or walk through the stunning Kaibab National Forest, nestled on the Coconino Plateau just a hop, skip, and jump away from the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon South Rim.
JULY 21 UPDATE: Here [https://conta.cc/3RjpcoZ] is the most recent pre-race email newsletter that was sent to early registrants.
LOCAL PARTNERS:
We support Run Local. The Grand Canyon Trail Marathon is a joint partnership between the Town of Tusayan [https://tusayan-az.gov/] and Run Tucson [http://www.runtucson.net], the premier local running company in Arizona.
Special thanks to the Tusayan Fire District, the IMAX Visitor Center, and the Kaibab National Forest. [https://www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab]
BRING THE KIDS! Children and strollers are allowed in the 5k
TRAIL MARATHON AND HALF-MARATHON TERRAIN: half mile start on sidewalk, then 11.5 miles of challenging forest jeep roads, including rugged rocky sections, soft dirt, and hard-packed dirt forest roads, with a rolling final mile on the paved Arizona Trail path. According to the National Park Service, the forest is characterized by ponderosa pine, with Gambel oak, New Mexico locust, mountain mahogany, elderberry, creeping mahonia, and fescue.
5K TERRAIN: mostly paved Arizona Trail, with about one mile on hard-pack dirt forest road
DIFFICULTY: the marathon and half-marathon course is challenging for many, with hills and rugged terrain. Top runners finish about 10 minutes slower than road races in the half-marathon.
WEATHER: most likely in the 30's and 40's early morning, with daytime highs hitting 60's - 70's . . . but you never know what late October will bring at 7,000 feet.
CHAIR ATHLETES: The 5k would be challenging for chair athletes, while the marathon and half-marathon is on a rugged course not suitable for chair athletes.
PETS ALLOWED: We love pets but they cannot be with participants on the course during the event.
WANT TRAINING ADVICE? Contact RRCA-certified running coach Tia Accetta at tia@runtucson.net.
Now in its 8th year, this event is produced by life-long runners who know the beauty of running, walking, and hiking through scenic and challenging terrain. Run or walk through the stunning Kaibab National Forest, nestled on the Coconino Plateau just a hop, skip, and jump away from the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon South Rim.
JULY 21 UPDATE: Here [https://conta.cc/3RjpcoZ] is the most recent pre-race email newsletter that was sent to early registrants.
LOCAL PARTNERS:
We support Run Local. The Grand Canyon Trail Marathon is a joint partnership between the Town of Tusayan [https://tusayan-az.gov/] and Run Tucson [http://www.runtucson.net], the premier local running company in Arizona.
Special thanks to the Tusayan Fire District, the IMAX Visitor Center, and the Kaibab National Forest. [https://www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab]
BRING THE KIDS! Children and strollers are allowed in the 5k
TRAIL MARATHON AND HALF-MARATHON TERRAIN: half mile start on sidewalk, then 11.5 miles of challenging forest jeep roads, including rugged rocky sections, soft dirt, and hard-packed dirt forest roads, with a rolling final mile on the paved Arizona Trail path. According to the National Park Service, the forest is characterized by ponderosa pine, with Gambel oak, New Mexico locust, mountain mahogany, elderberry, creeping mahonia, and fescue.
5K TERRAIN: mostly paved Arizona Trail, with about one mile on hard-pack dirt forest road
DIFFICULTY: the marathon and half-marathon course is challenging for many, with hills and rugged terrain. Top runners finish about 10 minutes slower than road races in the half-marathon.
WEATHER: most likely in the 30's and 40's early morning, with daytime highs hitting 60's - 70's . . . but you never know what late October will bring at 7,000 feet.
CHAIR ATHLETES: The 5k would be challenging for chair athletes, while the marathon and half-marathon is on a rugged course not suitable for chair athletes.
PETS ALLOWED: We love pets but they cannot be with participants on the course during the event.
WANT TRAINING ADVICE? Contact RRCA-certified running coach Tia Accetta at tia@runtucson.net.
Races
-
Half-Marathon
Incl. $6.70 Fee & T-Shirt
Sat 24th October 2026 (7:30AM MST)
$101.70
All registrants receive the souvenir race shirt and all finishers receive a commemorative medallion. The course is a few hundred yards long. -
Marathon
Incl. $7.00 Fee & T-Shirt
Sat 24th October 2026 (7:30AM MST)
$107.00
2 laps of the half-marathon course, approximately 26.8 miles overall. All registrants receive the souvenir race shirt and all finishers receive a commemorative medallion. -
Marathon Relay
Incl. $5.20 Fee & T-Shirt
Sat 24th October 2026 (7:30AM MST)
$75.20
For the first-time ever we're offering a relay: the first runner will do the first lap of the half-marathon course, cross the finish line map, then the team's second runner will do the second lap. Completion time must be under 5 hours. Each team member receives a finisher medal and souvenir shirt. -
5k Walk/Run
Incl. $3.40 Fee & T-Shirt
Sat 24th October 2026 (8:00AM MST)
$43.40
All registrants receive the souvenir race shirt and all finishers receive a commemorative medallion. -
Children's 5k
Incl. $1.60 Fee
Sat 24th October 2026 (8:00AM MST)
$11.60
For 12-and-under, all finishers in the Children's 5k division will receive a commemorative medallion, but participants in the Children's 5k will NOT receive a free souvenir shirt. If you want your child to receive a shirt, please register for the regular 5k Walk/Run. -
Virtual Race
Incl. $4.00 Fee & T-Shirt
$54.00
We will mail all shirts and medals.
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469 AZ-64, Tusayan, Grand Canyon Village, 86023, AZ, United States
Grand Canyon Trail Marathon, Half-Marathon, & 5k Run/Walk
