Red Mountain 50K Trail.
The Red Mountain 50K Trail in Ivins, Utah, is built like a wheel: four loops on the dirt trails of the Santa Clara Reserve hang off one central aid station, and only the third climbs to over 1,200 metres. A good day here means preparing for that long middle section and saving something for the last climb.
Red Mountain 50K Trail 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
The first loop climbs from around 840 metres in one long, stepped pull to about 1,040 metres, then drops to the central aid station, which you reach near km 12. The second is shorter and repeats the pattern with two climbs before running out almost level around km 20. Up to here everything stays manageable: moderate grades, short steep pitches, plenty of runnable ground.
The third loop exists only on this distance, and it makes the race. From km 23 the course gains just over 300 metres in two stages. The second stage is the longest climb of the day at almost four kilometres and tops out at km 30 on the high point of the course. The way back loses that height steadily, broken by a short, very steep ramp at km 34, and reaches the central station for the last time near km 38.
The closing loop first drops to about 850 metres. From km 44 a final climb of just over two kilometres follows, then it is downhill to the finish at Unity Park in Ivins. You are on dirt trails through the Santa Clara Reserve throughout, an unmanned aid station sits about midway through the orange section, and the March desert weather stays unpredictable.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 1.9 | 1.1 km | 6 % | 12 % | +63 m | — |
| km 3.3 | 1.7 km | 3.1 % | 6.2 % | +52 m | — |
| km 11.8 | 1.7 km | 4.9 % | 12.6 % | +84 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 14.3 | 1.6 km | 4.7 % | 8.4 % | +76 m | — |
| km 22.9 | 2.4 km | 5 % | 10.1 % | +119 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 26.4 | 3.9 km | 4.8 % | 9.8 % | +187 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 34 | 0.8 km | 6.9 % | 14.6 % | +57 m | — |
| km 43.9 | 2.1 km | 5.4 % | 9.9 % | +116 m | Cat. 4 |
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 Red Mountain 50K Trail.
Start under control
This course is hardly ever flat, but most climbs sit around five percent and stay runnable. That is what makes it treacherous: you can run a lot of the first two loops uphill, but only at an effort that leaves you fresh at the central station at km 22. It splits the race cleanly, and what is left in your legs there decides the rest.
Hold your rhythm
The race is settled between km 23 and 30. Both climbs are long enough for a comfortable effort to turn slowly too expensive, and they arrive just as fatigue sets in. Keep the effort even and take short walking breaks early rather than grinding to a halt near the top.
Spend what is left
The trap comes after the last pass through the station. The descent to km 40 runs easily and invites you to make up time. Spend your quads there and the climb from km 44 becomes a walk. Adjust your pace to the weather on the day as well: in the desert it can turn out differently from what you planned for.
Training plan for Red Mountain 50K Trail: 12-week build
Build the base
Age-group athletes are out for roughly 5:30 to 8 hours. The effort is mostly steady and aerobic but keeps being interrupted by climbs: around three quarters of the course runs noticeably up or down, and there is little true recovery on level ground.
Train race pace
Preparation should be built around the third loop, which sends you over the longest climbs of the day after hours on your feet. Put the vertical of your long runs in their second half and include a climb of 30 to 40 minutes that you can still finish running. Moderate grades matter more here than very steep ramps: the skill to practise is staying at a run on five percent for a long time and switching to a brisk walk at the right moment.
Rehearse the course
The closing section asks for legs that tolerate downhill running. End some long runs with a descent and then a climb of a little over ten minutes, the way the last loop does. Train on unpaved ground where you can, since the whole course runs on dirt trails.
Arrive fresh
With the race in early March, your longest runs fall in the winter months. Use them to test kit for changeable weather, and practise eating and drinking quickly as you pass an aid station. The passes through the central station are more than 15 kilometres apart on the third loop, so train carrying your own fuel as well.
Courses
Download the Red Mountain 50K Trail course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
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Everything about Red Mountain 50K Trail.
How long is Red Mountain 50K Trail?
Red Mountain 50K Trail is 50 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 Red Mountain 50K Trail have?
Red Mountain 50K Trail has around 1,090 m of elevation gain over 50 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Red Mountain 50K Trail?
Red Mountain 50K Trail is classified as Hilly, averaging 22 vertical metres per kilometre. 15% of the route is flat, 41% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 5% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Red Mountain 50K Trail have?
The hardest climb of Red Mountain 50K Trail starts at kilometre 26.4, runs for 3.9 km at an average of 4.8% and gains 187 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 3. 8 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Red Mountain 50K Trail a loop course?
No, Red Mountain 50K Trail is a point-to-point course: start and finish are in different places.
Is there a GPX file for the Red Mountain 50K Trail course?
Yes. The Red Mountain 50K Trail 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 Red Mountain 50K Trail?
Preparation for Red Mountain 50K Trail should account for 50 km, 1,090 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 Red Mountain 50K Trail?
The pacing strategy for Red Mountain 50K Trail should reflect 50 km, 1,090 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 Red Mountain 50K Trail 2027 take place?
Red Mountain 50K Trail 2027 takes place on March 6, 2027.
Where does Red Mountain 50K Trail 2027 take place?
Red Mountain 50K Trail 2027 takes place in Ivins, United States.
Which distances does Red Mountain 50K Trail offer?
Red Mountain 50K Trail offers 2 distances — 50K: 50 km; 30K: 30 km.
How do I register for Red Mountain 50K Trail?
Registration runs through the organiser: redmountain50k.com. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
