Your race, Your pace,
and Your adventure
Your first 5K? Your next 100-miler? Just in it for the fun? There is room for you here. Welcome to a weekend of big goals, warm food, new friends, and maybe a little howling.
Stay for the people
The Ponderosa Polar Challenge is a small, welcoming trail event based at Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort near Zion National Park. Bring a big goal or a small one. We will help you make a weekend of it.
Our central aid station brings everyone back together for a bite to eat, a good laugh, and some encouragement before heading out again.
A distance for every kind of goal
Go for the finish line, the next mile, or a timed challenge. This event was created to help you reach your goals.
Finish in a day
5K · 10K · Half marathon · Marathon
For the joy of moving, the thrill of a new goal, or the excuse to spend a day outside with good people.
Ultras & beyond
50K · 50 miles · 100K · 100 miles · 150 miles
Take on something huge with a community in your corner and a friendly aid station on repeat.
Make time your challenge
12-hour · 24-hour events
See what is possible in your chosen time window. How far will you go?
About timing: All races start at 7 am on Saturday morning. The race course closes at 11 a.m. on Monday, November 9, 2026 for all distances. The 12-hour and 24-hour events have their own time limits. Camping and lodging checkout times are separate from the race finish, so please follow the resort instructions. All races come with three nights of camping.
Keep it short, link it up, or mix it all weekend.
This course offers three base loops that all return to the main aid station. Connect routes to create longer combinations. Choose your own adventure whether you want the flatter 1-mile loop or the more rolling trails on the 2 or 3 mile loops. We keep track of your distance until you hit your goal.
The 1-mile loop uses mainly improved gravel paths with a short trail and road section. The 2-mile route mixes trail with resort paths, while the 3-mile loop is largely single-track and reaches toward the Checkerboard Mesa Overlook.
A weekend with the good stuff included
Because an adventure is more fun when someone else is tending to you at the aid station.
- Three nights of camping included with race registration
- Pasta dinner Friday night when you check in for the race
- Access to resort bathrooms, showers, and available amenities (hot tub, tennis courts, pond, etc.)
- Breakfast at the start and traditional aid station food during the race
- Prepared meals for the entire weekend for 50K and longer registrants, or available as an upgrade
- Handmade finisher medals for all distances, with mugs for marathon and longer finishers
- Belt buckles for 100-mile and 150-mile finishers
- Plenty of support, snacks, and encouragement
Cabins or glamping upgrades may be arranged separately with the resort. Discount code for 30% off sent after registration.
Small community with big celebrations.
Runners showed up with every kind of goal. We made food, told stories, cheered for one another, and celebrated the finish lines that mattered to each person. We even had one runner decide to move up from a 50-mile to 100-mile and finished. Everyone who set out to complete the 100-miler also finished!
Your friendly aid station
Our central cabin aid station is where you can refuel, regroup, and find a friendly face. Expect familiar trail snacks, cooked food, drinks, ice, and basic first-aid supplies.
Runners, volunteers, crews, and pacers all help make this weekend special. There are separate lodging and aid-station-access requirements for guests not running, so please read the details when registering.
Remembering two people who made life an adventure.
This event honors Lois Krotz and Tom McCabe Jr, whose love of adventure, animals, friendship, and showing up for others still inspires the community we are building.
A few things to know before you go
Do I have to be a fast or experienced runner?
Not at all. There is no one right way to take on an adventure here. Pick a distance that feels right for you, and we will celebrate the effort.
How many loops are there?
There are three base loops, measuring 1, 2, and 3 miles. Combine the 3-mile and 1-mile routes for 4 miles, or the 3-mile and 2-mile routes for 5 miles. See the course page for details.
Can I walk or use trekking poles?
Absolutely. Walkers and trekking poles are welcome. The goal is to find what works for you and follow the course rules.
Can I bring a stroller?
The 1-mile loop is the best fit, although it includes gravel and dirt and calls for sturdy wheels. Some of the longer routes are rugged single-track.
How cold will it be?
Expect chilly November evenings, and come ready for wind, rain, or even snow. The existing event guidance mentions nights around freezing and milder daytime temperatures, but check the local forecast before you pack.
Is camping included?
Yes. Race registration includes three nights of camping. Bring your own camping gear. Resort upgrades are available separately.
Does every event have 52 hours?
No. The 12-hour and 24-hour events have their own finish times. The extended-distance race course closes at 11 a.m. on Monday, November 9, 2026. Lodging checkout is separate, so please plan accordingly.
Can I bring a crew member, pacer, or dog?
Crews and pacers are welcome subject to access, waiver, and resort rules and fees. Pacing for ultra distances starts after mile 30 under the existing event guidelines. We love dogs. With that dogs are subject to resort rules which includes not being allowed inside cabins and needing to be on a leash. If you bring your dog, it must be under control and well behaved.