Death Valley Trail Marathon

2026 Death Valley Trail Marathon & Half Marathon

The 38th annual Death Valley Trail Marathon & Half Marathon takes place in Titus Canyon within Death Valley National Park. Titus Canyon has reopened after prior storm damage; construction in the Red Pass area will continue over the winter while the west end of the canyon remains open and serves as the race location.

Distances offered

• Marathon
• Half Marathon

The race starts and finishes at the west end of Titus Canyon where it meets Scotty's Castle Road. The course follows a single dirt road through the canyon and requires no additional markings. The half marathon runs into the canyon to an aid station at about mile 6.5 and returns to the finish. The marathon continues past that aid station to an approximate mile 8 turnaround, returns to the entrance aid station at mile 13, proceeds to a mile 18 turnaround, and then returns to the finish.

Aid stations are stocked with water, lemonade, sports bars, and a range of sweet and salty snacks; energy gels are not provided. Marathon aid stations are near miles 3, 6.5, 9.5, 12, 15.5, and 18. Portable toilets are placed at the start/finish and at multiple course locations. No private aid or support is allowed along the trail. Headphones and earbuds are not permitted for safety reasons.

The field is limited to 200 participants under National Park Service rules. Registrations are non-refundable; if the event is cancelled, a credit toward a future race will be offered. The course cutoff is six hours, equivalent to about 13:45 min/mile for marathoners and 27:30 min/mile for half marathoners.

Typical conditions in early December include nights in the 30s to 40s Fahrenheit and daytime highs from the low 60s to mid 70s Fahrenheit. Event proceeds support Beatty High School student organizations and the event partners include the Death Valley Natural History Association. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.

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