Bears Ears Ultra

About the Event

Sunrise over Canyonlands. Nearly 11,000 ft elevation. Remote singletrack in the Abajo Mountains. The Bears Ears Ultra returns to Monticello, Utah, on Saturday, June 20, 2026. Choose 50 miles, 50k, or 30k. Runners are treated to stunning views of Canyonlands National Park, Bears Ears National Monument, Monument Valley, Bears Ears Buttes, Dead Horse Point State Park, Six Shooter Peaks, Behind the Rocks Wilderness Study Area, and the La Sal Mountains — and as far as Colorado's San Juan Mountains from the Robertson Pasture Trail. Expansive views of Southeastern Utah's canyon country. Some of the most remote singletrack trails in Utah.

50 Miler
5:00 AM start • Sunrise start • Nearly 11,000 ft max elevation

50k
6:00 AM start • Abajo Mountains singletrack

30k
7:00 AM start • Accessible ultra distance

13k
7:30 AM start • Shortest distance • Great for first‑time trail runners

Location & Setting:

Monticello, Utah — in the heart of the Abajo Mountains (also known as the Blue Mountains)
Bears Ears National Monument — named for the twin buttes that resemble a bear's ears
Views of Canyonlands National Park, Monument Valley, Dead Horse Point State Park, Six Shooter Peaks, Behind the Rocks Wilderness Study Area, and the La Sal Mountains
From the Robertson Pasture Trail, runners can see as far as Colorado's San Juan Mountains
Elevation approaches 11,000 ft — high alpine terrain with expansive canyon country views

Course & Terrain:

Some of the most remote singletrack trails in Utah
A mix of high alpine forest, aspen groves, and exposed ridgelines
Technical sections typical of Utah's canyon country — rocks, roots, and loose surfaces in places
50 mile course likely includes significant elevation gain (specific stats on race website)

What's Included:

Chip timing
Finisher medal
Event shirt
Aid stations with water, electrolyte, and typical ultra fare (details on race website)
Medical support on course
Bag drop at start/finish
Post‑race food

Logistics:

Start times staggered by distance (5:00 AM for 50 milers, 6:00 AM for 50k, etc.)
Early start sunrise over Canyonlands — a spectacular view as you begin
Check race website for packet pickup times and locations, race guide, maps, aid station information, cutoff times, driving directions, FAQs, travel information, and cancellation policy
Camping? Not specified — likely available in the Monticello area or at nearby campgrounds (check race website)
Altitude: Abajo Mountains range from 7,000 to 11,000 ft. Runners from sea level should arrive early to acclimatize.
No dogs on course (typical for wilderness area races)
Pacers allowed? Check race website for specific rules

Registration & Refunds:

Registration closes Wednesday, June 17, 2026 at 11:59 PM MT
Check race website for cancellation/refund policy (Mad Moose Events typically has a no‑refund policy but offers deferrals or credits in some cases)

Top Performances (50 Miler Men):

Damon Chavez — 7:34:01 (2024) — course record
Michael Carilli — 8:07:06 (2024)
Ryan McAvoy — 8:15:52 (2024)

water_drop Avg rainfall

4.5 mm

ac_unit Avg snowfall

—

air Avg wind speed

9.8 km/h (Light breeze)

opacity Sweat loss rate

High

terrain Course conditions

Hard and dry surface

sunny Max UV Index

Very High (8.0)

humidity_mid Humidity

67.7%

wb_twilight Sunrise

05:41

nightlight Sunset

20:34

About Monticello

Learn more about the host city, Monticello.

Monticello was the primary residence and plantation of Thomas Jefferson, a Founding Father, author of the Declaration of Independence, and the third president of the United States. Jefferson began designing Monticello after inheriting land from his father at the age of 14. Located just outside Charlottesville, Virginia, in the Piedmont region, the plantation was originally 5,000 acres (20 km2), with Jefferson using the forced labor of enslaved black people for extensive cultivation of tobacco and mixed crops, later shifting from tobacco cultivation to wheat in response to changing markets. Due to its architectural and historic significance, the property has been designated a National Historic Landmark. In 1987, Monticello and the nearby University of Virginia, also designed by Jefferson, were together designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The United States nickel has featured a depiction of Monticello on its reverse every year since 1938 with the exception of 2004–05.

Hotels & Places to Stay

Video

Watch highlights and course previews from previous years.

Race Results

All-time top performances and historical records for Bears Ears Ultra.

Place	Name	Gender	Age	Year	City	Time
🥇	Damon Chavez	M	27	'24	—	7:34:01
🥈	Michael Carilli	M	35	'24	—	8:07:06
🥉	Ryan McAvoy	M	26	'24	—	8:15:52
4	Logan Meyer	M	24	'24	—	8:32:55
5	Max Gallant	M	29	'24	—	8:43:14
6	Chris McQuivey	M	41	'22	—	8:52:29
7	Chris Michael	M	43	'24	—	8:56:32
8	Brydon Anderson	M	29	'25	—	9:22:32
9	Mark Hammond	M	40	'25	—	9:34:16
10	Dave Chew	M	36	'21	—	9:37:24

Place	Name	Gender	Age	Year	City	Time
🥇	Erin Park	F	35	'24	—	8:40:59
🥈	Kenedy Thorne	F	25	'24	—	8:54:20
🥉	Anita Ortiz	F	60	'24	—	9:19:18
4	Irena Ossola	F	36	'24	—	9:29:55
5	Caroline Weiler	F	25	'21	—	9:51:51
6	Kylee Drugan-Eppich	F	29	'21	—	10:03:27
7	Anita Ortiz	F	57	'21	—	10:39:13
8	Salynda Heinl	F	37	'22	—	10:42:38
9	Rachel Schur	F	37	'24	—	10:59:12
10	Natalie Goetz	F	24	'24	—	11:08:02