McCoy Flats Trail Events

The McCoy Flats Trail Events are scheduled for Saturday, April 18, 2026, offering a variety of race distances through the desert landscape southwest of Vernal, Utah. Runners can choose between 15K, 10K, and 5K courses, all consisting of single-track trails within the McCoy Flats Trail Complex. The event highlights the natural beauty of the northeastern Utah desert, featuring spring wildflowers and local wildlife such as antelope, bobcats, and mule deer. A unique feature of this event is the course record incentive, where cash prizes are awarded to any male or female runner who establishes a new record in their respective distance.

Vernal is the county seat of Uintah County, Utah, with a population of approximately 10,400 residents. The demographic profile of Vernal is approximately 81.3% White (Non-Hispanic), 9.6% Hispanic or Latino, 3.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% Black or African American, and 0.5% Asian. The median annual household income in the city is roughly $62,000. Geographically, the McCoy Flats area is part of the Uinta Basin, a high-desert plateau characterized by rolling sagebrush hills and technical, rocky trails. The climate in mid-April in northeastern Utah typically features average lows of 1°C (34°F) and highs of 17°C (62°F). The low humidity and high elevation (approximately 1,600 meters) can make for fast conditions, though the exposure to the desert sun is a significant factor for runners.

Registration for the McCoy Flats Trail Events closes on Wednesday, April 15th. The event is part of the Mad Man Races series, known for providing KML files and detailed course maps for participants to navigate the complex trail system. Current course records to beat are 1:18:04 for the 15K, 48:26 for the 10K, and 27:18 for the 5K in the men's categories. Kyle Diebold currently holds the 15K course record, having set it in 2024. Results are processed through UltraSignup, where participants can view past top performances and upcoming events in the region. The race site at McCoy Flats Road is easily accessible from downtown Vernal, making it a convenient destination for local and visiting trail runners alike.