Planet Ultra’s Hoodoo 500 has been selected as the 2024 World Ultra Cycling Association 500-mile Supported (with crew) and Unsupported North American Championship event. The fastest solo male and female in both divisions will be awarded a championship jersey.
The race kicks off on August 23, 2004 in St. George, UT.
The beautiful and challenging 520-mile loop course includes quiet, smooth roads, epic climbs, exhilarating descents and the most beautiful scenery Southern Utah has to offer. Racers will enjoy the scenery around three National Parks: Zion, Bryce, and Capitol Reef; three National Monuments: Pipe Springs, Grand Staircase-Escalante and Cedar Breaks; several Utah State Parks: Coral Pink Sand Dunes, Kodachrome and Snow Canyon, and will meander in and out of Dixie National Forest.
In addition to the 520-mile non-stop North American Championship race, the Hoodoo 500 offers a 3-day stage race, and both non-stop and 2-day stage races for a 300-mile course. Riders may opt for solo, tandem, 2-person relay or 4-person relay categories; and either bring crew or race self-supported.
For 2024, the Hoodoo 500 is again the only Southwest qualifier for Race Across America https://www.raamrace.org
The Hoodoo 500, with its smaller field of participants, has the feel of a family affair with many riders returning year after year. Back in St. George, race weekend ends with a celebration breakfast and awards ceremony, which includes a raffle with great gifts.
The tradition of the Hoodoo 500 was born in 2006 at a group dinner in Bryce National Park during the Planet Ultra Tour of Southern Utah. Several veterans and fans of endurance racing and Race Across America were on that Tour. Deb Bowling recalls, “A veteran of the Race Across America who was sitting with me at dinner in Bryce Canyon said, “this tour route would make a perfect 500-mile race… and you should call it Hoodoo 500.” So I did.”
After seeing Bryce, and the amazing Hoodoos, an idea was born.
Event info:
August 23-26, 2024: St. George, UT. 520 and 300 mile loop races through Southern Utah. Non-stop or stage race, solo and relay team divisions. Bring a crew or race self-supported. Race Director: Deborah Bowling, 818-624-4544, [email protected], https://hoodoo500.com
