Ponderosa Polar Challenge 2025

  • Date Sat 8th November 2025 - Mon 10th November 2025
  • Time 6:00AM MST
  • Location Orderville, Utah
  • Price $45.00 - $350.00
  • Races 10 races
  • Distances Ultra, Half Marathon, 10km, 5km, 1 Mile

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Event summary

Get ready for the Ponderosa Polar Challenge 2025, taking place from Saturday, November 8th to Monday, November 10th, in the breathtaking Orderville, Kane, right next to Zion National Park! This unique endurance event invites runners and adventurers of all kinds to choose their own winter adventure, with race distances ranging from 1 mile to an impressive 150 miles. Whether you're aiming for a new personal record or simply hoping to soak in the stunning trails, this event is all about movement, exploration, and community.

Participants will enjoy a generous 52-hour time limit to complete their chosen distance, navigating through scenic loops of 1-mile and 4-miles in either direction until reaching their finish line. With camping included in your registration, you can bring your friends and family along for a weekend of fun and camaraderie. The lodge offers a variety of activities such as a pool, hot tub, and more, ensuring there's something for everyone. Plus, runners tackling 50K and beyond will be treated to delicious race weekend meals and aid station snacks to fuel their adventure. Join us for an unforgettable weekend where every step counts, and become part of a community celebrating the spirit of adventure while supporting worthy causes!

Organiser's Description

PONDEROSA POLAR CHALLENGE: CHOOSE YOUR OWN WINTER ADVENTURE

This is a unique endurance event set against the stunning backdrop of the Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort right outside of Zion National Park. Whether youre looking for a fun walk/run or an ultra-marathon challenge you've found the right place. This race is about movement, adventure, and communitynot just speed. With distances ranging from 1 mile to 150 miles, you decide how far you want to go within a 52-hour time limit. This race will feature two different loops (1-mile and 4-miles) that can be run either direction until you reach the finish for your race distance.



RUN YOUR OWN ADVENTURE:

Whether youre chasing a new PR or simply soaking in the beauty of the trails. Choose your own distancerun, walk, hike, or mix it up. Theres no pressure to be the fastest, only to enjoy the journey. We want everyone to be successful. Bring your family and friends to join in the weekend adventure (the lodge has several other activities including a pool, hot tub, tennis courts, volleyball, pickleball etc. to do if youre not wanting to race the whole weekend, but want to stick around to cheer on and encourage others.) For all participants 3 nights of camping spots are included in your registration. For those who wish to upgrade to a cabin a 30% off discount code to the Zion Ponderosa Lodge Resort will be sent after registration.



Those tackling 50K and longer distances will enjoy race weekend meals and aid station snacksbecause fueling the adventure is part of the fun! We want to make sure you have the energy needed to finish. All food will be found at the home base/aid station at the start/finish of each loop. Sandwiches, a taco bar, hamburgers/hotdogs, and breakfast items are examples of items available throughout the race. We want to make sure that everyone has what they need to be successful. (If there is something special that you need feel free to bring it and we are happy to keep it in our kitchen. We will have a wide variety of food and drinks, but may not have everything like your favorite energy drink so make sure to bring anything with you that is a must have).

Runners in shorter distances (marathon or less) will have breakfast Saturday morning included in their registration. These shorter distance runners will also have the option to opt in for more food for an additional fee, free to bring food with them, or can use the on-site restaurant at the lodge as another option during their stay.

If youre bringing a pacer, spectators, or other support theyll either need to pay for camping or lodging at one of the many cabins on site through the Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort. Options to upgrade for meals for the weekend are also available during registration.



HONORING ADVENTURERS & SUPPORTING GOOD CAUSES:

This race is held in honor of Lois Krotz and Tom McCabe, two adventurers who embodied the spirit of staying present, forging deep friendships, and embracing the outdoors. Their passion for exploration and human connection is at the heart of this event.



A portion of race proceeds will be donated to a couple dog rescues (National Pyrenees Rescue and Arctic Rescue) in honor of Lois as she was very passionate about animals including her own Fei and Guan. In honor of Tom a portion of proceeds will be donated to a trail maintenance volunteer group as his love for hiking and the outdoors were central to how he lived his life. Tom was also known to howl while out on adventures and we want to bring that type of energy to our races.



WHY PONDEROSA POLAR CHALLENGE?

* Choose Your Distance: Run anywhere from 1 mile to 150 miles at your own pace.
* 52-Hour Cutoff: Time is on your sidehow far will you choose to go?
* Camping & Community: Everyone gets camping for the full weekend included. Ultra runners get meals for the entirety of the event while shorter distances can opt in for more meals. (Feel free to book your own cabin through the Ponderosa Lodge if you're worried about the cold or are not into tent camping.)
* For a Good Cause: Support dog rescues and outdoor trail maintenance programs.
* Adventure First: Its not just a race, its a weekend of camaraderie, movement, and memories.



Join us for a winter running experience unlike any other. Sign up, choose your distance, and let the adventure begin!

Races

  • Ponderosa Polar 150 Miles

    Sat 8th November 2025 (6:00AM MST)

    $350.00

    Looped course with 1 and 4 mile trail loops that can be run either direction. Includes camp site and food for the entire weekend, hand-crafted finisher mug, medal, and belt buckle. Also built in are Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort amenities such as (pool access, tennis courts, pickle ball, volleyball, and showers).
  • Ponderosa Polar 100 Miles

    Sat 8th November 2025 (6:00AM MST)

    $300.00

    Looped course with 1 and 4 mile trail loops that can be run either direction. Includes camp site and food for the entire weekend, hand-crafted finisher mug, medal, and belt buckle. Also built in are Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort amenities such as (pool access, tennis courts, pickle ball, volleyball, and showers).
  • Ponderosa Polar 100k

    Sat 8th November 2025 (6:00AM MST)

    $250.00

    Looped course with 1 and 4 mile trail loops that can be run either direction. Includes camp site and food for the entire weekend, hand-crafted finisher mug, and medal. Also built in are Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort amenities such as (pool access, tennis courts, pickle ball, volleyball, and showers).
  • Ponderosa Polar 50 Miles

    Sat 8th November 2025 (6:00AM MST)

    $225.00

    Looped course with 1 and 4 mile trail loops that can be run either direction. Includes camp site and food for the entire weekend, hand-crafted finisher mug, and medal. Also built in are Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort amenities such as (pool access, tennis courts, pickle ball, volleyball, and showers).
  • Ponderosa Polar 50k

    Sat 8th November 2025 (7:00AM MST)

    $175.00

    Looped course with 1 and 4 mile trail loops that can be run either direction. Includes camp site and food for the entire weekend, hand-crafted finisher mug, and medal. Also built in are Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort amenities such as (pool access, tennis courts, pickle ball, volleyball, and showers).
  • Ponderosa Polar Marathon

    Sat 8th November 2025 (9:00AM MST)

    $120.00

    Includes three nights of camping, breakfast Saturday morning, hand-crafted finisher mug, and medal. Also built in are Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort amenities such as (pool access, tennis courts, pickle ball, volleyball, and showers). Option to upgrade for full weekend food access at check-out.
  • Ponderosa Polar 1/2 Marathon

    Sat 8th November 2025 (9:00AM MST)

    $100.00

    Includes three nights of camping, breakfast Saturday morning, hand-crafted finisher mug, and medal. Also built in are Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort amenities such as (pool access, tennis courts, pickle ball, volleyball, and showers). Option to upgrade for full weekend food access at check-out.
  • Ponderosa Polar 10k

    Sat 8th November 2025 (9:00AM MST)

    $70.00

    Includes three nights of camping, breakfast Saturday morning, and medal. Also built in are Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort amenities such as (pool access, tennis courts, pickle ball, volleyball, and showers). Option to upgrade for full weekend food access at check-out.
  • Ponderosa Polar 5k

    Sat 8th November 2025 (9:00AM MST)

    $60.00

    Includes three nights of camping, breakfast Saturday morning, and medal. Also built in are Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort amenities such as (pool access, tennis courts, pickle ball, volleyball, and showers). Option to upgrade for full weekend food access at check-out.
  • Ponderosa Polar 1 Mile (Kids 12 and Under Only)

    Sat 8th November 2025 (9:00AM MST)

    $45.00

    Includes three nights of camping, breakfast Saturday morning, and medal. Also built in are Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort amenities such as (pool access, tennis courts, pickle ball, volleyball, and showers). Option to upgrade for full weekend food access at check-out. (Kids 12 and under only)

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Location

Twin Knolls Rd, Orderville, 84758, UT, United States

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Nov 8, 2025

$45.00 - $350.00