Thelma and Louise Marathon and Half.
The 50K is the longest distance at the Thelma and Louise Marathon and Half, a women's-focused trail race in the Behind the Rocks area south of Moab. You run the same desert loop twice over slickrock, sand and jeep trails, then turn away from the finish with just under two kilometres left for one more out-and-back of about eight kilometres.
Thelma and Louise Marathon and Half 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
Start and finish sit in a remote spot on the Behind the Rocks Trail, and the work begins early: after just over a kilometre the longest climb of the loop rises at around six percent to about 1,740 metres, the high point of the day. A long, gently falling stretch follows before the course tips down around kilometre 11 to its low point just under 1,580 metres. From that basin the second climb gains almost 100 metres, and the loop then runs downhill back to the start area, which you pass after a little over 20 kilometres.
Lap two repeats the pattern, with the climbs now arriving at kilometres 21 and 33. At kilometre 40 you part from the marathon course: a turn-off rises gently to just over 1,660 metres and comes back the same way. The final stretch of just under two kilometres is then familiar ground, rising slightly to the finish.
Underfoot the course moves between dirt road, bare slickrock, sandy washes and jeep trails, with views across to the La Sal Mountains. The race belongs to the Run Moab series by Mad Moose Events and is cup-less: you drink from whatever you bring yourself.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 1.1 | 2.2 km | 6.1 % | 10.3 % | +131 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 12.5 | 1.8 km | 5.4 % | 9.6 % | +97 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 21.2 | 2.2 km | 6 % | 10.2 % | +131 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 32.6 | 1.8 km | 5.5 % | 9.3 % | +96 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 40.2 | 0.5 km | 4.4 % | 10.1 % | +21 m | — |
| km 41.1 | 0.5 km | 4.1 % | 6.6 % | +18 m | — |
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 Thelma and Louise Marathon and Half.
Start under control
Over 50 kilometres the first lap is groundwork and nothing more. You start at just over 1,600 metres and meet the steepest ground of the loop after one kilometre, so walk the ramps near ten percent from the very beginning. Sand takes pace however hard you push: hold the effort there and let the watch drift.
Hold your rhythm
The race is decided between kilometres 33 and 40. The fourth climb leaves the lowest point of the loop, and if you pounded the descents before it, your quads will have nothing left for the long way that follows.
Spend what is left
The trap sits at the turn-off. If you are mentally at the finish by kilometre 40, the extra section feels like a punishment even though it looks harmless: after two short rises it keeps climbing, almost four kilometres in all to the turnaround. Plan drinks and fuel so they cover this part too, and make the turnaround your target rather than the finish line.
Training plan for Thelma and Louise Marathon and Half: 12-week build
Build the base
Expect roughly 5:30 to 8:30 hours. The effort stays almost entirely aerobic, broken by four climbs of about a quarter of an hour each and two short rises near the end. What counts is not peak output but how long you can hold a calm running rhythm alternating with a brisk hike.
Train race pace
That belongs in your long runs: build them to about four hours, split them into two equal parts, and add a final 45 minutes on a steady, gentle incline. You are rehearsing the moment when the race could be over but another hour remains. Long sessions on consecutive days help as well, because around 40 percent of the course runs downhill and your legs need to know that load.
Rehearse the course
The surface needs its own work. Run on sand, loose tracks or rock whenever you can reach them, and add calf and foot strength, since soft ground takes away push-off at every step. The altitude of up to around 1,740 metres matters most over such a long effort if you come from low ground: allow for a more careful opening pace.
Arrive fresh
With no cups on offer, fuelling is part of the training too. Do your long runs with the container you will carry on 24 April, and practise drinking and eating from it on the move.
Courses
Download the Thelma and Louise Marathon and Half course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Thelma and Louise Marathon and Half 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 Thelma and Louise Marathon and Half.
How long is Thelma and Louise Marathon and Half?
Thelma and Louise Marathon and Half 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 Thelma and Louise Marathon and Half have?
Thelma and Louise Marathon and Half has around 724 m of elevation gain over 50 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Thelma and Louise Marathon and Half?
Thelma and Louise Marathon and Half is classified as Rolling, averaging 15 vertical metres per kilometre. 25% of the route is flat, 33% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 3% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Thelma and Louise Marathon and Half have?
The hardest climb of Thelma and Louise Marathon and Half starts at kilometre 1.1, runs for 2.2 km at an average of 6.1% and gains 131 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 4. 6 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Thelma and Louise Marathon and Half a loop course?
Yes, Thelma and Louise Marathon and Half is laid out as a loop: start and finish are in the same place.
Is there a GPX file for the Thelma and Louise Marathon and Half course?
Yes. The Thelma and Louise Marathon and Half 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 Thelma and Louise Marathon and Half?
Preparation for Thelma and Louise Marathon and Half should account for 50 km, 724 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 Thelma and Louise Marathon and Half?
The pacing strategy for Thelma and Louise Marathon and Half should reflect 50 km, 724 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 Thelma and Louise Marathon and Half take place?
Thelma and Louise Marathon and Half takes place on April 24, 2027.
Where does Thelma and Louise Marathon and Half take place?
Thelma and Louise Marathon and Half takes place in Moab, United States.
Which distances does Thelma and Louise Marathon and Half offer?
Thelma and Louise Marathon and Half offers 4 distances — 50K: 50 km; Marathon: 42.2 km; Half Marathon: 21.1 km; 15K: 15 km.
How do I register for Thelma and Louise Marathon and Half?
Registration runs through the organiser: madmooseevents.com. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
