Moab 240 — Destination Trail's desert 200-miler — runs 240 miles through the canyon country of southeast Utah. Starts and finishes in Moab. Course traverses Arches National Park, Canyonlands, and the La Sal Mountains (the highest peaks in southeast Utah). 29,000 feet of climb. 117-hour cutoff. Held in mid-October — the cooler shoulder of the desert season.

The course

The most varied terrain of the major 200-milers. Red-rock canyons, slickrock benches, alpine meadows in the La Sals, jeep roads, sand washes. Elevation ranges from 4,000 ft (Moab valley) to 10,500 ft (La Sals). October temperatures range from 30°F at altitude to 75°F in the canyons. The course is loop-shaped, with most aid stations crew-accessible.

By the numbers

  • Distance: 240 miles (loop)
  • Vert gain: 29,000 ft
  • Vert per mile: 121 ft/mi (low — flatter than Cocodona or Tahoe)
  • Lowest point: 4,000 ft (Moab valley)
  • Highest point: 10,500 ft (La Sal Mountains)
  • Cutoff: 117 hours
  • Date: Mid-October

How to qualify and enter

Lottery-entry. 100-mile qualifier required, with race director review. Demand has grown sharply since 2022. Charity bibs available.

What makes Moab different

Three things distinguish Moab from the other 200s:

  • Less vert. 121 ft/mi means more runnable miles. Cocodona is 160; Bigfoot is 198. Moab rewards road-ultra-style fitness.
  • Wider temperature swings. Desert valleys can hit 75°F at noon; La Sal nights drop to 25°F. Layer planning is everything.
  • Spectacular scenery. The Arches and Canyonlands sections are postcard-worthy. The race is also the most photographed 200 on Instagram.

Gear strategy

  • Vest: 12L. Salomon Adv Skin 12 — varied conditions.
  • Shoes: 2-3 pairs to rotate. Hoka Speedgoat for varied terrain; Hoka Tecton X for runnable sections.
  • Layers: light shell + insulated mid-layer + sun shirt. The wide temperature range demands real layering.
  • Sun protection: hat, sunglasses, sunscreen. Reapply every 4 hours during daylight.
  • Sleep kit: sleeping bag + pad + pillow at the major aid stations.

The Moab experience

Most finishers describe Moab as the most varied of the 200-milers — five distinct ecosystems in one race. The Arches sunrise, the canyon-bottom heat, the La Sal cold, the Moab town finish. Less brutal than Bigfoot 200, less remote than Cocodona 250 — the right pick for a first or second 200-miler with breadth of experience.