Utah 115 ultramarathon returns with record-setting finish

KANAB — The sec­ond annual Utah 115 ultramarathon took place May 16 - 17, with the men’s champion setting a new course record in the 115-mile race across southern Utah.

UTAH 115 2026 female champion Sophie Rouge (left image) and male champion Oliver Biese (right) with the race director at the finish line. Photos courtesy of Grand to Grand Ultra.

Oliver Bieser of Ohio won the 2026 Utah 115 in 27 hours, 25 min­utes, breaking the pre­vious course record by more than two hours, according to race orga­nizers.

The Utah 115 fol­lows the Utah section of the larger Grand to Grand Ultra route and includes additional 50-mile and 50K race options. Organizers said the event is de-signed around a non-stop ultramarathon format that is familiar to many American endurance runners.

Race Director Colin Geddes said the shorter race distances allow friends, partners and support teams to participate together while still supporting runners competing in the full 115-mile event.

“A lot of ultramarathon runners in America are more familiar with the non-stop for-mat,” Geddes said. “We felt it was important to offer 50-mile and 50K race distances at the same time.”

The race begins and ends in Kanab, with organizers describing the event as an opportunity to further connect with the local community. Geddes thanked local Bureau of Land Management staff, Best Friends Animal Society, Utah State Parks and Kanab City for supporting the event.

More information about volunteering or participating is available at the Grand to Grand Ultra website.