A 4-Day Adaptive Trail Stage Race in the Utah High Desert

The XRedRocksRun prsented by Global Rescue is a trail-running stage race held alongside the XRedRocks hike-and-fly competition in Monroe, Utah.

Inspired by the Challenge division of XRedRocks, each day features a shorter runner-specific trail task built from the same mountain/desert landscape, waypoint culture, and daily race format as the hike-and-fly event. Runners will travel only on foot, tagging official GPS waypoints and progressing toward a daily runner goal.

This is not a traditional fixed-distance trail race. XRedRocksRun is an adaptive stage race. Daily routes are selected based on weather, terrain, safety, access, retrieval logistics, and the official XRedRocks task structure. Runners should be ready for long climbs, exposed terrain, changing conditions, route-finding, and back-to-back days of running and fast hiking.

The goal is simple: move through the course efficiently, make good decisions, and complete as much of the daily task as possible.

What Makes XRedRocksRun Different

XRedRocksRun is not just a trail race next to a paragliding event. It is a ground-based version of the XRedRocks experience.

Each day, the hike-and-fly athletes receive a task from the Race Committee. XRedRocksRun will follow that same spirit with a shorter runner task designed for foot travel. Runners will start from an official start location, follow a GPX route, tag designated waypoints, and finish at an official runner goal.

Some days may be fast and direct. Some days may include a big climb to a launch, ridge, high point, or desert waypoint. Some days may be adjusted for weather or safety. The format rewards fitness, patience, navigation, self-sufficiency, and smart decision-making.

Race Format

XRedRocksRun is a four-day adaptive stage race.

There are four possible race days. Each runner’s best three scored days will count toward the final standings, and the lowest score will be dropped. Runners may participate all four days, but only three days will count toward the overall result.

Each day will include:

• Official runner task announcement
• GPX route
• Start location
• Required waypoints
• Runner goal
• Cutoffs and safety notes
• Retrieval plan along the course or at goal

Runners who reach the official runner goal will be ranked by elapsed time. Runners who do not reach the goal will be ranked by official progress along the course.

 

Runner Divisions

Trail Sport

Trail Sport is designed for strong trail runners who want the full XRedRocksRun experience with shorter daily stages and more conservative route options.

Expected daily range: approximately 3–10 miles
Possible long day: approximately 10–20 miles
Estimated total over four days: approximately 25–50 miles

Trail Sport is recommended for runners who are comfortable on trails, able to run and hike for multiple hours, and ready for back-to-back days in mountain/desert terrain.

Trail Long

Trail Long is designed for experienced trail runners, ultrarunners, and mountain runners who want a longer and more demanding version of the XRedRocksRun format.

Expected daily range: approximately 10–20 miles
Possible long day: option up to 50km ultra
Estimated total over four days: approximately 40–60 miles

Trail Long is recommended for runners with prior trail, ultra, mountain, or multi-day endurance experience who are comfortable moving for extended periods through remote terrain.

Distance Expectations

Daily mileage will vary. XRedRocksRun follows an adaptive task format, which means exact routes are not locked months in advance.

The runner tasks will be shorter than the full hike-and-fly tasks and will be designed specifically for foot travel. Distances, vertical gain, and finish locations may change based on weather, safety, access, and retrieval logistics.

Runners should register because they want an adventure stage race, not because they need an exact fixed distance.

*Reminder: Task distances vs travel distances will vary. Part of the unique tactics of this event are the "choose your own adventure" style of the tasks. This will be explained ahead of the event and before each task.

Scoring

XRedRocksRun uses a low-point scoring system.

Each day:

1st place = 1 point
2nd place = 2 points
3rd place = 3 points
And so on.

Runners who reach the official daily goal are ranked first by elapsed time.

Runners who do not reach the daily goal are ranked by official progress along the course. Progress is measured along the official runner course line, not by total GPS distance traveled.

The overall winner is the runner with the lowest total score after the scored stages are complete.

There are four possible race days. Each runner’s best three scored days will count toward the overall standings, and the lowest score will be dropped.

Progress on Course

If a runner does not reach the official goal, they are still scored.

Progress is based on how far the runner advances along the official course line. Running extra distance off course does not improve scoring. A runner who stays closer to the intended route and progresses farther along the official line will score ahead of a runner who runs more total miles but makes less official course progress.

This keeps the scoring true to the XRedRocks style: finishers first, then furthest official progress.

Daily Task Announcement

Runner tasks will be announced before each stage.

Each task will include:

• Start location
• Goal location
• Required waypoints
• GPX file
• Estimated distance
• Estimated vertical gain when available
• Cutoffs
• Remote gate or safety cutoff if applicable
• Retrieval information
• Weather and safety notes

Tasks may be changed by the Race Committee due to weather, access, or safety.

Self-Sufficiency

XRedRocksRun is a self-supported trail stage race.

Runners must carry what they need for the day, including food, water, required gear, navigation, and emergency equipment. Race-provided aid may be available at official checkpoints or goal locations, but runners should not expect frequent aid stations.

Outside crew, pacers, personal resupply, and pre-stashed supplies are not allowed unless specifically approved by the Race Committee.

Runners may use normal public services along the route if available to all participants, such as stores, gas stations, public water, or emergency assistance.

There may be mobile aid stations or checkpoints provided on the day.

Required Gear

Required gear may be adjusted based on the daily task, but runners should be prepared to carry:

1. GPS watch or phone with GPX route and maps pre-loaded
2. Continuous GPS track recording
3. Fully charged phone
4. External battery
5. Satellite tracker or InReach when required (we are looking into device rental at this time)
6. Emergency blanket or bivy
7. Headlamp
8. Minimum water capacity, usually 1.5–2 liters or more depending on conditions
9. Food/calories for the full stage
10. Wind/rain layer
11. Warm layer when required by weather or elevation
12. Basic first aid and blister care
13. Whistle
14. ID and emergency contact information

Gear checks may be conducted before or during the race.

Cutoffs and Retrieval

Each day may include a goal cutoff and one or more safety cutoffs.

Some stages may include a remote gate. Runners must reach that location by the posted cutoff to continue onto the next section. Runners who miss a cutoff may be stopped, redirected to an alternate finish, or retrieved from an approved extraction point.

Runners who do not reach goal by the task stop time will be ranked by official progress and retrieved from a designated extraction point.

Staff will monitor participant location and communicate with the participant to arrange retrieval. Runners who leave the official course, ignore cutoff instructions, or continue beyond a closed section may be responsible for self-extraction unless emergency circumstances require otherwise. Communication, location, and status updates will be mandatory.

Passenger vans will be used throughout the event to transport participants to the start location and retrieval along the course. Personal crew may assist with logistics as long as they have clearance and are communicating with race staff.

Who Should Register

XRedRocksRun is for runners who want a true mountain/desert adventure.

This event is a good fit if you:

• Are comfortable on trails and rugged terrain
• Can run and hike for multiple hours
• Can follow a GPX route
• Are comfortable carrying your own gear, food, and water
• Understand that distances may change
• Are prepared for heat, cold, wind, storms, exposure, and altitude
• Want a multi-day challenge with strategy and uncertainty

This event may not be a good fit if you:

• Need an exact fixed distance before race week
• Are uncomfortable navigating with GPX
• Expect frequent aid stations
• Are not comfortable being alone between checkpoints
• Are looking for a beginner trail race
• Are not prepared for remote terrain or changing weather

Tentative Schedule

September 29

1800: Mandatory Race briefing and registration at the Red Barn, Monroe.

• Runner check-in
• Meet and Greet
• Gear check
• Mandatory safety briefing
• Task format and scoring review

September 30th, 2026 – Oct 3, 2026

0730 weather briefing: race start 0800. [WEATHER PERMITTING]

All athletes are expected to attend the prize-giving ceremony and HUGE BBQ, which will take place on Oct 3, 2026 at 1900 or as soon as scoring is completed and verified.

Example Task:

Below is an example hike/run from 2025. Waypoints/checkpoints are given the night before, and the participants have time to download maps and come up with their route strategy (take a faster, but longer road or shortcut on a more technical trail or even shorter bushwacking). Participants make as much progress as possible along the course towards goal, reaching the checkpoints along the way, until they decide to stop or reach goal. Participants are scored based on their progress along the course, or the fastest times to goal. Retrievals are organized along the course, or extraction points as close as possible (be prepared for some extra time and miles to catch a ride).