Shiprock Marathon & Half Marathon
May 3, 2025
Shiprock
Road
500-1000
Fast & Flat
Mountain Views
High: 72°
/ Low: 45°
Overview
Spectacular scenery of the variety seen in car commercials and movies from “Thelma & Louise” to “Rain Man” is what runners experience along the point-to-point course of the Shiprock Marathon & Half Marathon, named for the 1,800-ft. volcanic rock formation by the same name that is visible for most of the race.
The half-marathon portion of the event begins at the half-way point of the full marathon, in the shadow of the actual Shiprock, on Route 13 and follows the full course to the finish line just off Highway 491.
(Note: The race is a two-day event; the half marathon, full marathon and marathon relays take place on Saturday, while the 10K and 5K runs take place on Friday.)
Thanks to its simple and mostly flat course, the half marathon offers views throughout the race of New Mexico’s vast, wide open spaces, its rock and earth formations that feature nearly every shade of red and orange, and the experience of running along stretches of highway that seem to last forever.
Course Description
The course is paved throughout, and features some long, gradual inclines and declines — the second half of the 13.1-mile half marathon features a steady, gentle downhill grade.
More than 900 runners crossed the finish line in all races combined in 2016 — including just over 680 finishers in the individual half marathon alone — a total that also included many native American Navajos, as this is the only marathon race event that takes place in the Navajo nation.
There’s also plenty to see after the run, while you’re in town for the race, including the Four Corners Monument (where Colorado, Arizona, Utah and New Mexico meet) and the Canyon de Chelly National Monument just over the border in Arizona.
