Grand Canyon Trail Half Marathon

Event overview

The Grand Canyon Trail Marathon, Half-Marathon, & 5k Run/Walk takes place on October 24, 2026, in Tusayan / Grand Canyon Village, Arizona. The event is the 8th annual edition and includes in-person and virtual options. It is produced in partnership with the Town of Tusayan, the Tusayan Fire Department, the IMAX Visitor Center, and the Kaibab National Forest. Proceeds support the Tusayan Fire Department and the Grand Canyon Food Pantry.

Distances and formats

• Marathon (about 26.8 miles)
• Half-marathon (about 13.35 miles)
• 5k Walk/Run
• Children's 5k (open to ages 1-12)
• Marathon Relay (two runners, each runs one lap - first lap equals the half-marathon loop)
• Virtual Race

Course, terrain and rules

The event is staged at the IMAX Visitor Center, 450 AZ-64 / 469 AZ-64, Grand Canyon Village, AZ. The marathon and half-marathon run on trail and forest roads within the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument. Course notes: a half-mile sidewalk start, about 11.5 miles on forest jeep roads (rocky, soft and hard-packed sections), and a final rolling mile on the paved Arizona Trail. The 5k is mostly on the paved Arizona Trail with about one mile on hard-pack dirt. Pets are not allowed on course. The marathon has split and overall completion limits (first lap under 2:45; full marathon under 5.5 hours); the relay must finish under 5 hours. Chair athletes may find the 5k challenging; the marathon and half-marathon are not suitable for chair athletes.

Amenities and timing

Finishers receive a commemorative medallion and post-race beer; the first 600 registrants are eligible for a long-sleeve race shirt. Events are chip-timed and include finish-line video, race photography, age-group awards and prize money, and an artisan fair and pancake breakfast on race weekend. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.