Running Up For Air - Moab

Race Overview

The Up For Air Series is a collection of endurance events created to support improved air quality, while having fun hiking and running on great trails with good people. Proceeds from Up For Air events are donated to non-profit groups: the event directors receive no payment.

Event Origins

Salt Lake City resident Jared Campbell started Running Up For Air on Grandeur Peak in 2012, when he became painfully aware of the terrible pollution in the Salt Lake valley, and that the air quality improved when he ran up higher. He became passionate about bringing attention to this problem and raising funds to improve it. Run Up For Air, Inc. is a 501(C)3, and oversees seven RUFA events in Utah, Colorado, and Washington, all which contribute to this cause.

Event Details

• Location: Starting at the Moab Rim Trailhead
• Date: April 3, 2027
• Course: A short and steep course with unique springs in the desert
• Timing: Participants can challenge themselves in one of the 3, 6, or 12-hour timed events

Course Description

Participants will hike or run up the Stairmaster Trail, to reveal an expansive view of the Moab valley and the snowy La Sal mountains in the background. Stairmaster is a rocky singletrack, gaining 890 feet in .95 miles. Runners immediately turn around and descend the adjacent Moab Rim Trail, which is a 4WD track on pure slickrock, the bare sandstone Moab is renowned for. This is the same distance so is equally steep: RUFA Moab is an excellent course to see how much vertical gain you can accomplish in a set time.

Course Etiquette

The course is open, and race entrants do not have the right-of-way, so please be respectful and courteous to all other users. Because they descend on a different trail, participants can go as fast or slow as they like and not get in each others' way. Jeeps may be slowly grinding up the Moab Rim Trail, but they are moving slower than you: the track is quite wide, so they can be readily avoided.

Charity Contributions

50% of the proceeds from RUFA Moab will go to RUFA Inc, and 50% will be given to Youth Garden Project, a Moab 501(C)3 that engages high school students in a beautiful organic garden on school grounds, and provides weekly free dinners for the community, prepared from the garden. Have faith: your entry fee will be put to very good use! When you collect donations for your fundraiser, donors will be able to choose if they want their donation to go to the Youth Garden Project, Clean Air Utah, or the Running Up For Air Series.

Event Notes

• Minimal Footprint: All events are conducted with a minimal footprint philosophy.
• Cup-Free: Bring your own!
• Aid Station: The aid station is the Start/Finish at the bottom, which is passed every 2 miles.
• Food and Drink: Water, sports drink, and basic food will be provided: if you have special food, bring it and leave it at the aid station.

Event Rules

• No Parking: There is NO PARKING at the event site, or anywhere along Kane Creek Blvd.
• Transportation: Take the free shuttle (preferred), or bike or run 2 miles from town.
• Shuttle Departures: Shuttle will depart from the Helen M Knight Elementary School: exact timetable and directions will be sent one week prior.
• Pets: No pets allowed.

More Information

For further details, please visit the race page: Running Up For Air - Moab.