The "VUE"

About the Event

The Vortex Ultra Experience (VUE) 2026 is a milestone 5th-anniversary celebration of trail running, scheduled for Saturday, April 18, 2026, in the heart of Sedona's Red Rocks. Hosted by Trail Running Escapes, the event emphasizes "vortex vibes" and Earth Day appreciation. The course highlights the best single-track trails on Sedona's Westside, offering varying challenges from a beginner-friendly 4-miler to a grueling 50-mile ultra. The weekend is designed as a complete experience, including community runs, breathwork sessions, and a Vendor Village with local food and recovery beverages.

Race Distance	Start Time	Event Highlights
50 Miler / 34 Miler	06:00 AM	Finisher Buckles provided
21 Miler / 12 Miler	07:00 AM	Medals & Tech Shirts
4 Miler	08:00 AM	Beginner/Family friendly

Sedona is a world-renowned destination in Yavapai and Coconino counties, known for its striking sandstone formations. The city has a population of approximately 9,700 residents. The demographic profile of Sedona is approximately 88.6% White, 15.4% Hispanic or Latino, 1.4% Asian, and 0.5% Black. The median annual household income is roughly $61,000. Geographically, the trails sit at an elevation of about 4,500 feet, featuring "slick rock" plateaus and high-desert flora. Mid-April weather is generally excellent for endurance sports, with average lows of 7°C (45°F) and highs of 23°C (73°F). However, the high desert sun can feel intense, and runners are encouraged to stay hydrated with products from partners like Athletic Brew or Wild Tonic.

The event kicks off early with a community run on Thursday, April 16th, at the Thunder Mountain Trailhead. Official bib pickup occurs on Friday, April 17th, from 12:00 PM to 4:30 PM at the race start (77 Cultural Park Place), followed by a shake-out run and an opening ceremony featuring intention-setting and breathwork. Post-race celebrations take place at the Vendor Village until 6:00 PM on Saturday, featuring "Dude Pizza." Throughout the weekend, local restaurant Gerardo's Pizzeria and Cucina hosts a fundraiser for the Warrior Trail Foundation. For specific course maps, elevation profiles, or to view the top performance records—such as Yassine Diboun's 2025 50-mile time of 7:59:52—participants should visit the official UltraSignup page.

Races Offered

34 Miler

Apr 18, 2026

straighten

Distance — 54.7K

terrain

Type — Running

timer

06:00

sell

$180.00

50 Miler

Apr 18, 2026

straighten

Distance — 80.5K

terrain

Type — Running

timer

06:00

sell

$195.00

12 Miler

Apr 18, 2026

straighten

Distance — 19.3K

terrain

Type — Running

timer

07:00

sell

$80.00

21 Miler

Apr 18, 2026

straighten

Distance — 33.8K

terrain

Type — Running

timer

07:00

sell

$165.00

4 Miler

Apr 18, 2026

straighten

Distance — 6.4K

terrain

Type — Running

timer

08:00

sell

$45.00

Weather Overview

These values represent the 3-year monthly averages for April in Sedona.

Temp (°C)

Feels Like (°C)

thermostat 5.4° / 21.5°

wb_sunny 1.2° / 15.9°

Wind (km/h)

Humidity (%)

air 10.9 /

water_drop 35.3%

Temp (°C)

Feels Like (°C)

Wind (km/h)

Humidity (%)

thermostat 5.4° / 21.5°

wb_sunny 1.2° / 15.9°

air 10.9 km/h

water_drop 35.3%

About Sedona

Learn more about the host city, Sedona.

Sedona is a town in Arizona, United States of America, 120 miles north of Phoenix. Known for its beauty and serene setting amidst the beautiful Red Rocks, the town is famous for its vibrant arts community with nearly 100 art galleries and events including the Sedona International Film Festival, Sedona Arts Festival and the Sedona Jazz Festival. It offers excellent outdoor adventures, including mountain biking, hiking and off-roading. Sedona is surprisingly sprawling, with Oak Creek to the south, West Sedona and Uptown Sedona each providing great views, hikes, dining and arts.