Grand Circle Trailfest

That is tough to say. We sold out both our inaugural year (2016) and last year (2017). Both years we sold out early in the registration process (shortly after early bird registration ended).

Update: 2019 Trailfest sold out March 4th.

Every registration includes a tent site and a 4- or 6-person tent. (You can also bring your own tent if you prefer.) If you're coming with other runners and want to share a tent, make sure one person in your group claims a tent site for the group. Everyone else in the group can simply indicate "no campsite needed" during registration. 

Example: If I were registering and so were three of my friends, I would make sure one of us selected a 4-person or 6-person tent be provided for us. Then the other three friends would select "No campsite needed" when registering.

Picking a tent site is on a first come first serve basis. You may check in for friends. They will all be set up in the baseball fields just above the festival. Each registration comes with its own tent site, though we encourage you to share with friends. You will not be put in a tent with a stranger.

A limited set of car/van/RV sites are available for vehicles 26 ft. or shorter.

Nope, you can stay anywhere you like. We'll provide a campsite and tent for everyone who registers but you don't have to use it. If you want to stay somewhere else and drive to the festival and races, that is allowed. 

Kanab has lots of hotel and VRBO options. However, you will not receive a discount by not camping with us. All registration fees include a campsite whether you use it or not.

Early fall in southern Utah is beautiful. Expect clear skies and sunny days. The days will be a little warm (highs in the low 70s) but the mornings and evenings will be chilly. Plan to dress warmly before the race and then gear check any layers you don’t want to run with. The occasional thunderstorm rolls through this time of year so there is the possibility of rain.

Highly Recommended

• Camp pillow
• Camp/Shower towel
• Jacket or vest
• Sleeping bag & pad (40° for most nights check weather conditions before)
• Blanket to lounge on
• Snacks/Food
• Soap/Shampoo
• Extra clothing
• Socks for each race
• Running shoes
• Flashlight or headlamp
• Camp shoes
• Camera/Phone/Chargers
• Any personal medication
• Running hydration system/pack
• Warm clothes for nights & mornings

*Many of these items can be purchased in Kanab or in one of the communities along the way. The nearest Walmart is in Hurricane Utah 60 minutes from Kanab. 

Recommended

• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Sun hat
• Toiletries
• Extra blanket
• Long underwear

A few more things

• Personal first aid kit
• Gloves
• Insect repellent
• Rain gear
• Ear plugs
• Reading and writing materials
• Personal Bathroom Kit (personal wipes, hand cleaner, etc.)

*Check the weather beforehand for Kanab. If there is a cold front that moves in a 40° bag wont be enough and you would be better off bringing a 20° or layered clothing or an extra blanket. If you sleep cold you might consider bringing a warmer bag anyway.

Each morning’s race will start at 7:30am, just after sunrise. We'll have a “rolling start” meaning the start line will be open for about 45 minutes and runners will start as they arrive rather than having one large start with everyone at the same time. It's a little unceremonious but it makes for less congestion on the course.

We are counting on about a 20 minute/mile pace. These trails are difficult. A 20 minute/mile pace on road does not equal a 20 minute/mile pace on these trails. Runners should plan accordingly. A mixture of running and walking would be fine.

There will be shuttles available. We don't recommend you use them. Why? They'll return to Festival HQ very soon after the race. We suggest driving yourself and then taking time to explore the National Park before heading back to Festival HQ. 

The shuttle will take runners from Festival HQ in Kanab to the start line of the race and then back again to Kanab after the finish. The shuttle is OPTIONAL and a pass must be purchased for each day you want to use it. This can be done as part of the Trailfest registration process.

At every race location there is no parking at the start line. However there is a large designated parking area very near to the start. All runners who drive themselves to the race location will park in this lot and then take a short shuttle ride to the start line. Shuttles will then take them back to their car after the finish.

Runners do not have to take the shuttle from Kanab to the race start. This is an optional shuttle. In fact we encourage you to drive yourself and carpool with friends. By driving yourself to the race each morning you have the freedom to grab something to eat afterward or stay and explore the park. The trails you will run on are spectacular, but there is more to see here than just these 13 miles or so of trail.

Yes, each course will have at least one aid station (usually about halfway through the course). 

Each aid station will have water, Gnarly electrolyte drink, Honey Stinger energy gels, basic foods (fruit, pretzels, etc), and toilets. See each course description for exact location.

Unfortunately no. Our insurance does not cover dogs on course and Jacob Hamblin Park has a strict no dog policy. If you are camping at HQ there will be a separate area designated for campers with dogs, however it will be slightly removed from the festival and you are responsible to keep your dog out of the park.

Strollers are not permitted on these trails.

While we used to have an option of creating or joining a team for Trailfest, beginning 2020 we will no longer offer the team option as a part of registration. Please don't let this stop you and your group of friends of making sweet matching t-shirts or other fun things!

We'll provide catered meals each night of Trailfest (Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday).

We'll also offer a continental style breakfast each race morning (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday). Runners may help themselves to breakfast each morning. You'll receive a wristband when you pick up your bib. Show this wristband when entering the buffet area to eat dinner. 

Additional meal tickets can be purchased at the registration tent or at the buffet table for $10, cash or credit accepted.