Butterfield Canyon Marathon.
The Butterfield Canyon Marathon saves its hardest work for the middle of the race: between kilometres 20 and 24 the loop from Herriman climbs to just over 2,200 metres, its high point. Steep, rocky climbs and single-track descents set the terms of the day, and a late-August date makes heat part of the preparation too.
Butterfield Canyon Marathon 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
The loop starts and finishes at Butterfield Trailhead Regional Park at around 1,650 metres, and the first eight kilometres stay below 1,800 metres. At kilometre 9 the trail kicks up abruptly, climbing to about 2,000 metres in little more than two kilometres. After a drop to around 1,750 metres, a longer and steadier climb from kilometre 15 regains nearly all of that height.
The core of the race opens at kilometre 20. Two steep steps, separated only by a short link, carry you upwards, and the second is the hardest passage of the day, with almost 300 metres of gain in a kilometre and a half. The high point arrives shortly before kilometre 24, after which the course sheds almost 500 metres over six kilometres. Kilometre 30 brings one last climb, three kilometres long, to just above 1,900 metres. From there the route essentially just falls back to the park.
Four fifths of the loop are dirt trail, with fire road and dirt road making up the rest. The climbs are often rocky, much of the descending is single-track, and the mountain views open up along the way. Starts are early because August days turn hot later on, so anyone out for a long time meets that last climb in different conditions from the front of the race.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 0.4 | 1.8 km | 4.6 % | 9.5 % | +83 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 6.3 | 2.4 km | 4.4 % | 8.7 % | +107 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 8.9 | 1.2 km | 15.4 % | 38.6 % | +184 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 10.4 | 0.4 km | 13.4 % | 22.9 % | +53 m | — |
| km 14.7 | 3.7 km | 6.9 % | 17.9 % | +259 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 20.1 | 1.5 km | 10.8 % | 26 % | +160 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 22 | 1.5 km | 19.2 % | 31.8 % | +293 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 30.5 | 3.1 km | 6.5 % | 14.7 % | +202 m | Cat. 3 |
Climb categories follow the road-cycling convention and rate the terrain itself (length and gradient) regardless of sport: Cat. 4 marks the easiest rated climbs, Cat. 1 the hardest, and HC (hors catégorie, “beyond categorization”) is reserved for the most brutal ascents. Short climbs below the Cat. 4 threshold stay unrated.
How to pace Butterfield Canyon Marathon.
Start under control
Run this race on effort from the very start, because almost nothing here is flat and the watch tells you nothing on the steep pitches. The first eight kilometres are the only ones that feel like normal running, which is exactly why you should take them deliberately easy. Hike the section at kilometre 9 already, even if your legs still want to run.
Hold your rhythm
The day is decided between kilometres 20 and 24, where the two steps pack around 450 metres of gain into just over three kilometres, with three climbs already in your legs. Measure your hike so that you can move straight back into a run at the top. Overreach here and you lose more than minutes on the hill: you lose the whole second part of the race.
Spend what is left
The biggest trap sits right behind it. The long descent invites you to win time back, but every hard downhill stride spends quads you still need from kilometre 30. Let it roll without pushing. Many runners will meet the warmth on that final climb, so back off before it forces you to.
Training plan for Butterfield Canyon Marathon: 12-week build
Build the base
Expect around 5:30 to 8 hours as an age-group runner. At heart that is one long aerobic day, repeatedly interrupted by pitches that send your heart rate high. Just under 30 percent of the course is steep, split about evenly between up and down, so you need to be ready for both directions.
Train race pace
Your key session is the long mountain day with its hardest climb two to three hours in, mirroring the double step from kilometre 20. Practise strong uphill hiking on rocky ground there, because on gradients like these a good hike is the fastest way forward.
Rehearse the course
The descent deserves the same care. Run single-track downhill deliberately on tired legs and add strength work for quads and ankles. The most race-specific session is a long descent followed straight away by a steady half-hour climb: it rehearses kilometres 24 to 34 and shows you how expensive fast downhill running becomes.
Arrive fresh
Heat and altitude belong in the plan as well. Move some long summer sessions into warmer hours and test your fluids and fuelling there, since the longer your day lasts, the further you run into the heat. The whole course lies between 1,650 and just over 2,200 metres. If you live lower down, plan to arrive a few days early and set your race effort correspondingly lower.
Courses
Download the Butterfield Canyon Marathon course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Butterfield Canyon Marathon dynamically
Ben connects your goal, the course, current load, recovery, and calendar. Your plan stays pointed at race day even when real life is not perfectly plannable.
Everything about Butterfield Canyon Marathon.
How long is Butterfield Canyon Marathon?
Butterfield Canyon Marathon is 42.16 km long. That distance shapes how much aerobic endurance, pace durability, and race-specific work belong in the training plan.
How much elevation gain does Butterfield Canyon Marathon have?
Butterfield Canyon Marathon has around 1,523 m of elevation gain over 42.16 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Butterfield Canyon Marathon?
Butterfield Canyon Marathon is classified as Mountainous, averaging 36.2 vertical metres per kilometre. 5% of the route is flat, 32% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 14% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Butterfield Canyon Marathon have?
The hardest climb of Butterfield Canyon Marathon starts at kilometre 22, runs for 1.5 km at an average of 19.2% and gains 293 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 3. 8 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Butterfield Canyon Marathon a loop course?
Yes, Butterfield Canyon Marathon is laid out as a loop: start and finish are in the same place.
Is there a GPX file for the Butterfield Canyon Marathon course?
Yes. The Butterfield Canyon Marathon course is on this page as a free GPX download — ready to import into Garmin, Wahoo, Komoot, Strava or any other app that reads GPX.
How should I prepare for Butterfield Canyon Marathon?
Preparation for Butterfield Canyon Marathon should account for 42.16 km, 1,523 m of elevation gain, current training load, and available training time. An adaptive plan helps place key sessions without ignoring recovery and real life.
What pacing strategy works for Butterfield Canyon Marathon?
The pacing strategy for Butterfield Canyon Marathon should reflect 42.16 km, 1,523 m of elevation gain, and your current fitness. Start controlled and keep margin for sections where the profile or fatigue makes target pace harder.
When does Butterfield Canyon Marathon take place?
Butterfield Canyon Marathon takes place on August 28, 2027.
Where does Butterfield Canyon Marathon take place?
Butterfield Canyon Marathon takes place in Herriman, United States.
Which distances does Butterfield Canyon Marathon offer?
Butterfield Canyon Marathon offers 2 distances — Marathon: 42.16 km; Half Marathon: 21.1 km.
How do I register for Butterfield Canyon Marathon?
Registration runs through the organiser: happytrailsrace.com. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
