Shiprock Marathon

Welcome to the 44th Annual Shiprock Marathon, Half Marathon & 5K

Shiprock Youth Center – Friday, April 30 & Saturday, May 1, 2027

The 2027 Shiprock Marathon will provide a unique and memorable running experience the first weekend of May in Shiprock, New Mexico!

Friday's Events:

The Shiprock Marathon Relay will start at 12noon on Friday.  Back again this year, we will be adding a five-person marathon relay that will run a 5 ¼ mile loop from the Youth Center to Blueberry Hill and the trail toward Rattlesnake, and then return.  There are awards for top team winners.  All runners will receive a performance t-shirt, race poster, swag and post-race snacks.

The Natani Mile will start at 2pm on Friday.  This event is for everyone.  Wether you are looking to be competitive and throw down your fastest mile or go out for a brisk walk.  Maybe challgenging yourself with the new Triple Crown (1mi, 5K, and either half or full marathon).  There are awards for top individual winners.  All runners will receive a performance t-shirt, race poster, swag and post-race snacks.

The Elder's Run will start at 3pm on Friday.  This event is a tribute to our elders, providing them their own fun-run style event, so no awards, but each finisher will receive a finishers medal.

The Shiprock 5K Trail Race will take place at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 30 on the Blueberry Hill course, beginning and ending at the Youth Center.  There are awards for top individual (overall and age-group top three) winners.  All runners will receive a performance t-shirt, race poster, swag and post-race snacks.  

Saturday's Eevnts:

The Marathon will begin at 7:00 a.m. on Saturday May 1st with the start/finish area in Shiprock.  Runners who expect to compete for overall or age-group awards should start in the front of the mass start at 7:00.  Shiprock Marathon is a USATF Certified Course, making it a Boston Qualifier as well as a qualifier for the Abbott Marathon Majors Masters World Championships.  Age groups are awarded to the top 3 in 5 year increments.

The Half Marathon will start at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday May 2nd.  Age groups are awarded to the top 3 in 5 year increments.

The out-and-back road course includes views of Shiprock Pinnacle and a gentle long downhill slope on the return.  There are two points on course where there are time cutoffs to be aware of, they are listed below. There will be great course support and live music along the way.  Expect to see the likes of Dark Sky, Red Hawk, Pinon Pickers, Mountain Spring and Skoolboykook, sharing a variety of traditional, country, Navajo blues, classic rock and rez metal sounds.

Packet pick-up will take place at the large Shiprock Youth Center parking lot on Friday from 2:00-7:00 p.m. and again from 6:00-6:45 a.m. on Saturday morning.     

Saturday’s Race Day Parking 

Race day in Shiprock is exciting and busy, so please take a minute to review this information about parking.  

From Farmington hotels – drive west on Hwy 64, approximately 30 miles.  Once in Shiprock, continue straight through a stoplight (near Wells Fargo and church), across the San Juan River and to the second stoplight (near gas stations).  Keep going straight again, past Basha’s and the post office until you see event parking on your right.

Farmington has a vast array of lodging options, for all levels of comfort and price.

If you are coming from the south, you will encounter the event parking on your left just as you enter Shiprock.  Our parking team will help you get parked and situated for your big event!

Race Day Logistics

• Results & Timing – The team from Rocky Mountain Timing is timing both races.   RESULTS will be available via QR codes – posted throughout the finish area – or at www.rmtiming.co   All awards are based on gun time.
• The Course and Course Support – Aid stations will be available every single mile along the Marathon and Half Marathon courses.  Aid stations will include Honey Stinger gels, fresh fruit, Gatorade and water, and sweets and salties.  Portajohns will be available at the start lines and along the course.  There will be medical support throughout the route and at the finish.  
• Course Cutoffs.  There are two cutoffs that all runners need to be aware of, and they apply without exception. Runners (marathon and half) must be off N13 and onto US 491 by noon (12pm). The second cutoff is at the finish line. All runners must be finished by 2pm.
    

The Finish Line 

• Food Area – You will receive a hearty snack box when you cross the finish line, which will also have a variety of beverages – water, Gatorade and chocolate milk. Be sure to visit the Domino’s food truck and flash your bib for your slice of Domino’s pizza.  You will also want to visit Jose’s Food Tent, next to Domino’s, for a nice assortment of fresh fruit, melon, chips, Clif Bars and trail mix.
   
• Post-Race Party & Awards – We will have live music, great food and awards at the finish line.  All Marathon and Half Marathon finishers will receive a well-earned medal when they finish.  Results will be available instantly and awards will be presented to overall and age-group winners as soon as possible.  All awards are based on gun time.   
• There will be overall awards (top three, male and female) and age-group awards based on 5-year age groups.  Awards include medallions, plaques and/or Native arts and crafts; age-group podium awards will go 3 deep.

Kudos to all of our amazing Safety and Medical Team – Navajo Nation EMS, Shiprock Fire Dept., Shiprock Police Dept, Beclabito CERT, the Navajo Rangers, Red Valley CERT, Sanostee CERT, T’iis Nazbas Fire Dept, Newcomb Fire Dept, Ojo Amarillo Fire Dept and New Mexico State Police.

Special mention to our SRM partners!!   And “ahe’hee” to our incredible race team and over 200 race weekend volunteers!  Proceeds of the Shiprock Marathon benefit year-round outdoor adventure programs for Dine’ youth and families.  Find out more about NavajoYES and our programs at www.navajoyes.org  or at www.Facebook.com/NavajoYES  

There are a wide range of lodging options available in Farmington, New Mexico, which is a 30-mile drive from Shiprock.  Just search Farmington, NM and you will see many choices available to you.

This year’s race is USATF-certified and is a Boston qualifier!

And Shiprock Marathon will be a qualifier for the 

Abbott Marathon Majors Masters World Championships!

https://www.worldmarathonmajors.com/rankings/world-championships 

We work for Beast Pacing in order to give our participants their best shot at hitting their goal time.  Beast Pacing provides pacers for events all over the United States. Their pacers are professional, but have FUN while helping other runners reach their goals. Whether it is a Boston Qualifying Time you are looking for, a P.R., or just someone to run with, they are here to help!  Are you interested in becoming a pacer for our event?  Fill out this form.

See you in Shiprock on April 30 & May 1, 2026 for the 44th running of Shiprock Marathon!

E-mail us at [email protected]  or at [email protected]  if you have any questions at all.