Moab 240 Ends After Storm Strands 70 Runners in Utah

Severe weather forced organizers to cancel Utah's Moab 240 ultramarathon on Sunday, October 11, 2026, after flooding and dangerous conditions left about 70 runners and volunteers stranded overnight near Bridger Jack Mesa in San Juan County. Local authorities and race staff coordinated evacuations as heavy rain, strong winds and deteriorating road conditions prevented participants from safely leaving the remote course.

Destination Trail, which manages the event, arranged transportation for the stranded group from an aid station near Bridger Jack Mesa in Bears Ears National Monument. FOX 13 News reported that buses were announced around 10 a.m. Sunday, with participants transported to Sun Outdoors Arches Gateway. By approximately 1 p.m., the remaining runners had been evacuated safely.

The race covers 241.8 miles through desert terrain, canyons, slick-rock formations and two mountain ranges around Moab, near Canyonlands and Arches National Parks. It began Friday and had been scheduled to finish Tuesday, but organizers halted the competition after weather conditions made continuing unsafe.

Destination Trail said the group had been isolated after severe weather affected access roads. Organizers had delivered supplies to the aid station before the storm, including heated tents, hot food and drinking water, allowing participants and volunteers to shelter while awaiting transportation.

In an earlier update, race officials described the situation and the preparations made for those unable to continue.

"All runners and volunteers have access to heated tents, hot food, and plenty of drinking water. While everyone at the aid station has shelter and essential supplies, road conditions have made access to the location unreliable at this time," Destination Trail said.

The San Juan County Sheriff's Office confirmed that it was coordinating with race organizers to help the stranded participants. In a statement issued Sunday morning, the agency said the response would depend on conditions in the affected area.

"We are working closely with race organizers to coordinate assistance and help participants reach safety as conditions allow. This remains an active and evolving situation. Additional information and updates will be provided as they become available," the San Juan County Sheriff's Office said.

As the weather worsened, organizers made the decision to end the event rather than risk further exposure to hazardous conditions. Gephardt Daily reported that race officials cited reports of damaged aid station structures, falling trees, strong winds, heavy rain and freezing temperatures, with conditions expected to deteriorate further overnight.

"After a lot of careful discussion, we've made the incredibly difficult decision to call the Moab 240," race organizers said.

Organizers also explained why runners were instructed to remain at aid stations until crews or shuttles could reach them.

"The weather has become too dangerous to safely continue — we've received reports of aid station structures blowing away, trees falling down, wind, rain, freezing temps — and we're expecting conditions to get worse tonight. We're holding runners at their next aid station, and telling them to shelter there until crew or a shuttle can pick them up. Our aid station volunteers are ready to help keep them warm and safe while they wait," race organizers said.

The San Juan County Sheriff's Office worked with event staff as road access remained unreliable. The remnants of Tropical Storm Rachel were moving across the western United States on Sunday, bringing heavy rain and contributing to flooding in Utah, Arizona and Nevada, according to the source reports.

Destination Trail acknowledged the disappointment for participants who had spent months preparing for the endurance event and traveled to Utah to compete.

"We know this isn't how anyone hoped Moab 240 would go. So many of you trained for months and traveled a long way to be here, and we're truly sorry the race ended this way. Sometimes the weather has other plans, and when it does, everyone's safety has to come first," Destination Trail said.