Thelma and Louise Marathon and Half
Moab, United States · Saturday 24 April 2027
Running the Thelma and Louise Marathon means spending 42 kilometers threading through the raw, unforgiving landscape of Moab's Behind the Rocks area. The course is hilly enough to demand respect, with nearly 800 meters of climbing spread across the distance, and you'll feel every bit of that elevation as you push through sections where the trail steepens unexpectedly. Your legs will know they're working at altitude, starting around 1,379 meters and climbing to 1,745 meters at the highest point. The dirt beneath your feet shifts constantly, ranging from hardpacked sections to loose, sandy stretches that slow your pace and force you to concentrate on foot placement rather than rhythm. There's no pretending to coast on this course. The remoteness of the area means you're genuinely isolated for long sections, which can feel either liberating or humbling depending on how the day is treating you. The visual backdrop is what separates this race from countless other trail marathons. You'll run beneath the towering red rock walls of Lone Rock, a formation so distinct it draws your eye even when you're tired and focused inward. The desert landscape is spare and honest, with little shade and vast open stretches where you're fully exposed to whatever weather Moab decides to throw at you in late April. There's a wildness to the course that justifies its name. This isn't a manicured trail system designed for smooth running. It's the kind of place where the terrain forces you to adapt constantly, where the beauty is inseparable from the difficulty, and where finishing feels less like completing a race and more like surviving an adventure you're genuinely glad you undertook.
Difficulty Calculator
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Adjusted Time
5:07:59
Time difference: +68.0 minutes compared to a flat, road, temperate course.
Course Details
Elevation Gain807m
Elevation High1745m
Elevation Low1379m
Weather Forecast
High23°C
Low15°C
Chance of Rain22%
Thelma and Louise Marathon and Half 2027 Course Analysis
Thelma and Louise Marathon and Half is a full marathon held in Moab, United States, scheduled for Saturday 24 April 2027. The course is run on trail surface with 807m of total elevation gain, reaching a maximum altitude of 1745m above sea level. For registration and full race details, visit the official Thelma and Louise Marathon and Half website.
Elevation Profile
This is a very challenging course with 807m of total elevation gain — significantly more than the average trail marathon. The route ranges from 1379m to 1745m above sea level (366m range). Hill training is essential, and runners should expect a significantly slower time compared to a flat course.
Expected Race Day Weather
Based on historical weather data for April, the expected race day conditions are as follows. Moderate temperatures between 15°C and 23°C are expected. While comfortable for most runners, those targeting fast times should pay attention to hydration, as these temperatures can impact performance over the full distance. There is a moderate chance of rain (22%). Runners may want to prepare for wet conditions but shouldn't expect persistent rainfall.
Surface Type: Trail
Thelma and Louise Marathon and Half is a trail race, meaning the course includes unpaved surfaces such as dirt, gravel, or forest paths. Trail surfaces are inherently slower than road courses due to uneven footing, technical sections, and often steeper gradients. Trail-specific shoes with good grip are recommended, and runners should expect a finish time 10-20% slower than their equivalent road marathon time.
How Difficult Is Thelma and Louise Marathon and Half?
Our difficulty rating for Thelma and Louise Marathon and Half is calculated using a model that combines elevation gain, temperature impact, and surface type. Use the difficulty calculator above to enter your target finish time and see exactly how many minutes this course would add or subtract compared to a perfectly flat, cool, road-based marathon. Faster runners and slower runners are affected differently by the same course conditions, so the difficulty is personalised to your pace.
Looking for an easier marathon or a tougher challenge? You can also compare Thelma and Louise Marathon and Half against other marathons to find the right race for your goals.
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