Merus Marathon & Ultra
Sat, Apr 11, 2026, 6:00 AM CDT
- Location
- Claude, TX
- 4510 County Rd 9, 79019
- Type
- TRAIL
Sign up and verify details on the organizer’s official page.
At a glance
Double-check key detailsExperience a challenging ultra-distance trail race through Palo Duro Canyon's stunning, rugged landscapes and significant elevation changes.
- Scenic
- Competitive
Scenic
CompetitiveGreat for: runners who like a competitive edge, runners training for a serious effort
Less ideal for: walkers-only pacing, first-time racers without recent mileage
Discover the rugged beauty of Palo Duro Canyon at the Merus Marathon & Ultra. This challenging 52.4-mile trail race at Merus Adventure Park features significant elevation changes, with drops ranging from 100 to 500 feet. Runners will traverse diverse surfaces including sand, sandstone, red dirt, rock, and clay, all while taking in the incredible colors and expansive views created by millions of years of erosion. Prepare for a demanding yet visually rewarding experience.
What to expect
- Prepare for a demanding trail experience with huge elevation gains and drops.
- Navigate varied terrain including sand, rock, red dirt, and clay.
- Enjoy incredible colors and amazing views throughout the course.
Standout details
- Huge elevation gains
- Diverse terrain: sand, rock, clay
- Stunning Palo Duro Canyon views
- Challenging 52.4-mile ultra distance
Auto-drafted from the public listing — confirm details on the official event page before signing up.
Distances & registration
6 optionsRegistration for all distances is through the official signup link above.
- 1 Miles
Sat, Apr 11, 6:00 AM CDT · From $11.60
Opens Dec 21, 2025, 10:13 AM CST · Closes Apr 11, 2026, 7:59 PM CDT
- 5K
Sat, Apr 11, 6:00 AM CDT · From $27.50
Opens Nov 21, 2025, 7:00 AM CST · Closes Nov 28, 2025, 6:59 PM CST
- 10K
Sat, Apr 11, 6:00 AM CDT · From $45.52
Opens Nov 21, 2025, 7:00 AM CST · Closes Nov 28, 2025, 6:59 PM CST
+ 3 more optionsHide
- 13.1 Miles
Sat, Apr 11, 6:00 AM CDT · From $58.24
Opens Nov 21, 2025, 7:00 AM CST · Closes Nov 28, 2025, 6:59 PM CST
- 26.2 Miles
Sat, Apr 11, 6:00 AM CDT · From $91.10
Opens Nov 21, 2025, 7:00 AM CST · Closes Nov 28, 2025, 6:59 PM CST
- 52.4 Miles
Sat, Apr 11, 6:00 AM CDT · From $127.14
Opens Nov 21, 2025, 7:00 AM CST · Closes Nov 28, 2025, 6:59 PM CST
The course
- Hilly
- Timed race
Vibe Check
Serious Test
Serious Testultra distance, mountainous area, typically mild weather
Based on typical seasonal and area patterns — not a course map or official forecast.
From the organizer
Merus Adventure Park, located in the Palo Duro Canyon offers huge elevation gains throughout the land. The base elevation at the rim of the canyon is 3,412 feet above sea level. The lowest point on the floor of the canyon at MERUS Adventure is 2,500 feet. Most of the elevation gains range from 100 to 500 feet in drop, creating ample opportunities for a challenging race course. Millions of years of erosion have created incredible colors and a variety of surface materials. As you cover the miles, you’ll traverse sand, sandstone, red dirt, rock, stone, clay, and witness some of the most amazing views! Come to Merus Adventure Park and take in the views at the Merus Marathon!
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