City of Rocks Ultra Marathon

04/17/2025

📢 City of Rocks Ultramarathon 2025 Canceled

To our amazing running community:

I’m sad to share that we’ve made the difficult decision to cancel this year’s City of Rocks Ultramarathon, originally set for May 31, 2025. After relocating to Colorado and starting a full-time job, I found myself unable to give this year’s event the attention it needs and deserves.

All registered runners will receive a full refund, processed through Square. It should take about 7–10 days to show up — feel free to message me if you have any issues.

But this is just a pause — not a farewell. We’ll be back in 2026, and I can’t wait to welcome you all back to the trails at City of Rocks.

Thank you for your continued support and understanding 💙
— Jessica Isbrecht, Race Director

Send a message to learn more

07/10/2024

Did anyone lose this key out on the trails at City of Rocks? It was found near Elephant Rock and was not claimed by any other visitors.

06/05/2024

Race Results have been published to our website. Check your email too.
Photos are available for purchase from https://www.theequestrianvagabond.com/Clients-Running/2024-City-of-Rocks-Ultra-Marathon

It takes a village to pull off a multi-sport event like ours and we appreciate everyone's help so much! Thank you to Stephanie and Phil Christensen for catering, Peter Wilk our HAM radio operator, without him we would not have been able to relay messages during a search for a runner (who ended up just being slow, not off-course or injured), the Raft River High School cross country team for spending their Saturday manning aid stations, Erika Mittermaier who ran the half marathon and then picked up a stethoscope to help out the equine racers, the Becker family, Dandelion Dilluvio-Scott and Damien Scott, and Kevin Chan for helping with the gates and checkpoints. We could not have done it without the help of some amazing friends and family like Byron and Ann Igoe (Byron's parents) who drove out from New York and slept in their modified SUV the whole week, Sara Ike our incredible friend from NJ who worked through terrible pain from a healing broken arm, Lance Wende and Flo Pixie-Mcv Wende our newest friends who went above and beyond, especially considering that we just met them last year when they were camping next to us in race camp.

Thanks also to UltrAspire and the Thatcher family for supporting our race.

We are already looking forward to 2025! Tentative race date is May 31st so mark your calendars!

Half Marathon (12 miles), Marathon (27 miles), Extra (32.3 miles), and Ultra (51.6 miles)!

06/03/2024

Race results are posted. We had 104 total entrants across four races with a 100% completion rate across the board.

That's impressive because this race is not a walk in the park. There is significant elevation gain on each course.

We are so impressed by all of our runners. Thank you all for coming. We look forward to having you back next year!

05/29/2024

A stunning view of the Twin Sisters and Circle Creek meadows from the Geowatt trail which is part of our City of Rocks Ultra half-marathon course. Registration is still open and we will be taking walk-in registrations on Saturday morning for all distances.

05/25/2024

Get the latest info and updates on course changes, camping, pre-race check-in, and more.

We are thrilled to have you join us for the upcoming City of Rocks Ultramarathon on June 1st! As the race day approaches, we want to ensure you have all the important information and updates to make your experience memorable and smooth. If you registered on behalf of someone else, please share this...

05/24/2024

🌟Celebrating the Geddes Family's Endurance! 🌟

Last year, the Geddes family brought an incredible spirit to our event! Matthew, Tevye, and Zane rode a whopping 170 miles on their endurance horses, showcasing true determination and bond with their animals. Meanwhile, Sharlyn and Oliver tackled the 51.5 mile Ultramarathon, a monumental challenge.
Sharlyn achieved a personal record, her first time ever attempting to run further than 27 miles. After completing the first loop of the course (marathon distance), she made the brave decision to elevate to the Ultra distance. Her grit and determination were truly inspiring! She earned the cooling relief of a soak in the horse water trough!
Let's give a round of applause to the Geddes family for their amazing achievements and the spirit they brought to our event!
City of Rocks offers both endurance RIDING and endurance RUNNING. Will you or your family be competing in multiple events at our race? We want to hear about your amazing endurance adventure! 🏇🏃‍♀️💨

05/17/2024

From Crewing at Cocodona to Preparing to host City of Rocks Ultra: A Journey of Inspiration!

Last week, I had the incredible opportunity to be part of the support crew for an extraordinary athlete, Dandelion Dilluvio-Scott, sponsored by the amazing team at Ultraspire, while she tackled the grueling Cocodona 250 mile race in Arizona. The dedication, perseverance, and sheer determination displayed by runners in events like these never fail to inspire me.

As I witnessed firsthand the challenges and triumphs of ultra running, I couldn't help but reflect on our own upcoming race. With just weeks to go until City of Rocks Ultra, I'm filled with anticipation and excitement. Will our race ever evolve into something as epic as Cocodona? I don’t know but I will take the lessons learned from this experience and apply them to our future events.

Just as Ultraspire generously supports athletes like the one I crewed for, they're also backing our race by donating awards for the winners. Their commitment to the sport and community is truly commendable, and we're honored to have them on board.

To all the aspiring runners out there, whether you're gearing up for your first ultra or chasing new goals, remember that every step of the journey is a testament to your strength and resilience. And if you're looking for your next challenge, join us at City of Rocks Ultra where the spirit of endurance and camaraderie awaits!

Let's continue to push boundaries, support one another, and make every mile count. See you at the starting line! 🏃‍♂️💨

05/15/2024

🚨 Last Call Alert! 🚨 Don't miss out on our early entry discount for City of Rocks Ultra!

⏰ After 11:59 pm on May 15th, entry fees will increase to $100 per race. This is your final chance to secure your spot at a discounted rate!

But that's not all - May 15th is also the cut-off for ordering catered meals at the event. Ensure you have delicious, nourishing meals waiting for you at the finish line by placing your order before the deadline.

Whether you're tackling the marathon, half marathon, 50k or 50 mile, City of Rocks Ultra promises an unforgettable experience amidst stunning landscapes and a supportive community of fellow runners.

Register now and lock in your savings before time runs out! See you at the starting line! 🏃‍♂️💨

05/14/2024

Calling all adventurers and trail enthusiasts! 🏃‍♂️🐎

Are you ready to be a part of something truly special? The City of Rocks Ultramarathon and Endurance Ride on May 31-June 2, 2024 isn't just an event – it's an unforgettable experience fueled by passion, camaraderie, and the spirit of endurance.

WE'RE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR VOLUNTEERS to join our team in Almo, Idaho and help make this year's event a roaring success! From manning aid stations and ensuring our equine competitors stay hydrated to scribing for veterinarians and lending a hand with setup and breakdown, there's a role for everyone.

Join us in supporting our incredible athletes as they tackle the rugged trails of Almo, Idaho. Whether you're a seasoned trail runner, an avid equestrian, or simply someone who loves the great outdoors, your help is invaluable in creating a memorable and rewarding experience for all.

Step up, lend a hand, and become a part of our tight-knit community of trail heroes. Sign up to volunteer today and let's make magic happen together! 💪✨

Ready to join the adventure? Comment “I can help” and our Race Director will contact you to schedule!

05/13/2024

🌟 Gratitude to Sandy and Devan Horn for Making City of Rocks Ultra a Reality! 🌟

As we reflect on the success of City of Rocks Ultra last year, we can't help but express our deepest gratitude to two incredible individuals who were instrumental in bringing our vision to life.

Sandy Horn, a seasoned ultra runner with an impressive track record of 35 ultras and 31 marathons, including 14 100 mile races, along with his daughter, Devan Horn, an experienced endurance rider and ultra runner who conquered the Mongol Derby twice, lent us their expertise and unwavering support every step of the way.

From sharing invaluable insights on course design to lending a helping hand in the smallest details like making PB&J sandwiches for aid stations, Sandy and Devan's generosity and dedication were truly remarkable. Working with this dynamic father-daughter duo was an absolute pleasure, and their guidance played a pivotal role in the success of the inaugural City of Rocks Ultra.

Thank you, Sandy and Devan, for your boundless support, enthusiasm, and commitment to making City of Rocks Ultra a resounding success. We couldn't have done it without you!
🙌🏃‍♀️🏇

04/22/2024

🎉 Exciting News Alert! 🎉

We're thrilled to announce a fantastic addition to this year's City of Rocks Ultramarathon – please join us in welcoming UltrAspire as our newest sponsor! 🌟

UltrAspire is renowned for their top-notch race vests and hydration gear, and we're beyond grateful for their generous support. As part of their sponsorship, UltrAspire will be donating some incredible prizes to our 1st place male and female athletes in each race division:

🏅 Half-Marathon Winners: 550 Pocket Handheld
🏅 Marathon Winners: Element Waist Belt
🏅 50k Winners: Spry 4.0 Race Vest
🏅 50 Miler Winners: Legacy Race Vest

Big shoutout to UltrAspire for helping us elevate City of Rocks Ultra to new heights! Let's show them some love, and get ready to race with the best gear in hand! 💪🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️