Recent Communication to Runners (2026)
2/3/2026 Email
Greetings 2026 RUFA Grandeur Peak participants,
We are just 3 days out from the start of this year’s event! Whether this is your 10th RUFA or your first, this email contains important updates and reminders, so please read it entirely.
First off, THANK YOU. Thank you for your passion for this event, for your fundraising effort and for playing your part in improving air quality. Your participation matters and we are immensely grateful for it.
SHUTTLES AND SCHEDULE
Participants for ALL events MUST take the shuttle to/from the event; our special-use permit hinges on participants leveraging the shuttle system to get to AND from the race. Please don't put the future of our event in jeopardy by deciding that the rules don't apply to you.
The race check-in AND shuttle pick-up/drop-off will be at Black Diamond Equipment (same as last year): 2092 E 3900 S, Salt Lake City, UT, 84124 (the only exception is the noon 6 hr event where check-in will be at Church Fork).
Please see the updated shuttle schedule (.pdf at the bottom of the page); the shuttle vans will run according to this schedule
Depending on which shuttle you take to your start, you will find yourself at the start line area for 15-30 minutes prior to your start. Be prepared for cold temperatures while you wait to start.
Crews and the shuttle : On the schedule, you’ll notice certain shuttles are for runners only vs. “Open”. It is okay for crews to leverage the "open" shuttles, but we encourage folks to minimize this type of involvement as we have limited infrastructure to support crowds. Crews should NOT drive into Millcreek for the race as our event permit dictates that we must not add traffic to the canyon beyond our shuttle system. Aid station food/drinks are for runners only.
RACE CHECK-IN
BD = Black Diamond Retail Store (map)
24-hour runners (6:00PM Friday race start)
Check-in at BD begins at 4:30PM Friday
Shuttles depart at: 5:15PM and 5:30PM
"Date Night" (7:00PM Friday) 6-hour runners
Check-in at BD begins at 5:00PM Friday
Shuttles depart at: 6:15PM and 6:30PM
"All-Nighter" (8:00PM Friday) 12-hr runners
Check-in at BD begins at 6:00PM Friday
Shuttles depart at 7:15PM and 7:30PM
12-hour runners (6:00AM Saturday race start)
Check-in at BD begins at 4:30AM Saturday
Shuttles depart at: 5:15AM and 5:30AM
7:00AM Saturday 6-hour runners
Check-in at BD begins at 5:30AM Saturday
Shuttles depart at: 6:15AM and 6:30AM
Noon Saturday 6-hour runners
Check-in up at Church Fork begins at 11:00AM Saturday
Shuttles - PLEASE leverage the shuttle system; see time-table
REMINDERS / FUNDRAISING
Reminder: if you raise 10x your entry fee, then you get your entry fee refunded!
Course records are very cool, but being a courteous and respectful trail user is way cooler; no matter what your goal is, please exercise mutual respect when passing other participants and trail users. RUFA volunteers/officials may disqualify individuals who are being disrespectful.
AID STATIONS
The base aid station will again be located at the lowest-most site in the Church Fork picnic area, the same as it was in 2025. The base aid station will have hot food, snacks, gels, hot and cold drinks etc. Our aid station leverages a system we are proud of wherein we use stainless steel cups and a washing system to eliminate waste. We also strongly encourage participants to bring their own reusable insulated mug/container for soup, hot beverages, etc.
The Grandeur Peak summit is not an aid station, rather it should be thought of as a timing tent and emergency checkpoint. As such, make sure to take enough food and drink with you from the base aid station to fuel yourself for the entire lap. The summit will have basic emergency supplies (hauled up by our generous volunteers!), but you should not count on refilling bottles/etc.
CONDITIONS
2026 has been crazy! The Wasatch Mountains have seen record LOW snow and precipitation this winter. As a result, the trail is mostly dry except for the very bottom and top of the route. These sections have been very icy recently, so traction (e.g. micro-spikes) and/or poles are highly recommended.
RECOMMENDED GEAR
As a rule, it is good to plan for cold winter weather. While 2026 is uniquely dry, temperatures at the base and on the summit can be surprisingly cold. There is no precipitation predicted for race day (as of 3 days out).
We strongly recommend bringing multiple changes of clothes. It will be very cold at the base aid station, then you may be sweating and shedding layers on the way up, followed by getting extremely cold toward the top and on the way back down.
Rule of thumb: bring a dry change of clothes for every 1-3 laps you plan to complete. Multiple pairs of shoes can also be very helpful. The base aid station will have shelving for you to store your bags.
Given the weather (see below) sun block, sun glasses, hats are highly recommended.
WEATHER
Friday-Start Events: The weather looks very nice for Friday night. Temps in the 30s and 40s (°F), with near zero chance of precip.
Saturday: By mid-day Saturday the cloud cover is minimal with unusually high temperatures for this time of year (in the 50s F).
RUNNER TRACKING
Your splits will be available for friends/family to track here : https://runsignup.com/Race/RunningUpforAirGrandeur/Page-5
AWARDS
Special awards will go to the top three female, male, and non-binary runners in the 24-hour, 12-hour, 6-hour categories. There will not be an official awards ceremony, rather awards will be handed out as the end of the event approaches and we have enough data to know our top 3 runners in each category.
Rest up as it's time to make some memories!
Sincerely,
RUFA Grandeur Race Crew (Mike McMonagle, Eve Davies, Jared Campbell, and Leslie Keener)
P.S. Email runningupforair@gmail.com if you have any questions.
