Utah’s Snowbird Ski Resort is home to what is widely considered the toughest 50K in the USA. Every July athletes from around the world descend upon Little Cottonwood Canyon to take on The Speedgoat 50K and its not for the casual runner.

The course features a series of climbs that bring runners to the summit of Snowbird, Baldy and Hidden Peak for a grand total of 11,400 feet of elevation gain. The following video captures the action among the front runners in both the men’s and women’s race. The times these women and men put up are truly elite but this race open to all and just crossing the finish line is an incredible accomplishment.

If you are interested in lacing up and taking on the 2026 edition The Speedgoat 50K, you have about year to get in shape. Learn more about the race below:

Course Description:

Starting at the Snowbird Center runners have a slightly downhill start on service road to a 600’ climb to the first singletrack section before climbing up “Chips Switchbacks”. A steep half mile climb. Three more climbs and descents to the summit of Snowbird at 11,000’ to the first aid station.

Leaving Hidden Peak, a 4 mile descent on rocky singletrack and ATV trail, brings us to the lowest point at Dutch Flat. From Dutch Flat, a 3 mile climb to the “Waterpipe” aid (water only). Only 1.4 miles to the “Mineral Basin Aid” at mile 19. Leaving Mineral Basin, a 2000’ climb in only 1.8 miles to the summit of Baldy, then across Baldy Ridge to the “Tunnel Aid Station” at mile 22.5. Once leaving the Tunnel, a fast descent on service road leads to the final climb up the “Cirque” ridge back to the Hidden Peak aid station.

Final descent is almost all downhill with a few “bumps” along the way. Race finishes at the Snowbird Center on the Plaza Deck.

Mandatory Gear:

Mobile / Cell phone (smartphone strongly recommended)
- Mobile / Cell phone with international roaming that works in the United States of America
- Each runner should save the organization’s safety phone numbers
Personal collapsible cup (15 cl / 5 oz minimum)
Minimum water supply of 1 liter
Food reserve. (Recommendation of 800 kcal: 2 gels + 2 power bars each of 65 g)