Southern Utah News Front Page: September 19, 2019

Welcome Grand to Grand Ultra 2019 participants

The runners at the start of the Grand to Grand Ultra last year at the Grand Canyon. Photo courtesy G2G.

By Karen Williams

Endurance Events USA is pleased to announce the eighth edition of the Grand to Grand Ultra, September 22 through September 28, 2019. This unique event is a six-stage, seven-day, self-supported footrace. It will be held in the states of Utah and Arizona, covering a cumulative distance of approximately 170 miles (273 km).

The 170-mile course begins at the awe-inspiring North Rim of the Grand Canyon, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, and finishes on the summit of the Grand Staircase, one of the world’s most iconic geological formations. The course takes participants through a desert landscape of sand dunes, red rock canyons, buttes, mesas and hoodoos.

Participants will navigate through compelling slot canyons and climb more than 18,000 feet over the course of the race. They will experience the remotest part of continental America in the way of the earliest settlers, Navajo and Paiute Indian tribes.

The field of participants from all over the world will come together for this challenging test of survival in harsh desert conditions, assuming the responsibility of carrying their own backpacks containing food, sleeping bag, mat and other mandatory equipment for the week. While pre-qualification is not required, participants will need to prepare for this grueling week-long race through endurance training and informed selection of gear and nutrition. Participants can elect to compete as individuals or teams.

Participants are expected to possess basic outdoor survival skills such as familiarity with outdoor gear and backpacking. However, they are not required to possess any technical navigational or climbing skills to take part in the event. Over 100 entrants from 234 countries are expected to start.

The event is proud to support two local charities – Best Friends Animal Society and the Kane County Children’s Justice Center. Competitors are also raising funds for over 20 different charities.

The event is sponsored by the Kane County Office of Tourism.

Registration is now open for 2020. Advance registration is required and early registration is strongly recommended for this event given the quotas for different countries. Please visit the event website at www.g2gultra.com for more information and complete registration details.

Follow the event on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/g2gultra and Twitter, http://twitter.com/g2gultra.

For information regarding registration, sponsorship or other event-related questions, contact Colin Geddes at info@g2gultra.com.

About Grand to Grand Ultra

The Grand to Grand Ultra is considered to be one of the world’s most iconic, multi-stage ultra-marathons and has attracted competitors from more than 50 countries worldwide since the first edition in 2012. It was the unique opportunity to hold a world-class event that would stretch from the Grand Canyon, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, to the relatively unknown but equally geologically iconic Grand Staircase, that settled the location of North America’s premier self-supported stage race.

About Kanab

Kanab is the gateway to three national parks, five national monuments, a renowned National Recreational Area, two state parks, two national forests and unlimited outdoor adventures. In every direction, there are breath-taking views; the unique vistas of The Grand Canyon to the south, Zion National Park to the west, Bryce Canyon National Park to the north and Lake Powell/Glen Canyon to the east.

For information on visiting Kanab and the surrounding area, visit www.visitsouthernutah.com.

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