Welcome to the third annual Hoodoo 500 ultra-marathon bicycle race! Destined to be the best ultra race ever, the Hoodoo 500 route passes through or around three National Parks, three National Monuments and several Utah State Parks. The scenery varies from majestic cliffs and striking red rock hoodoos to aspen and pine forests and high mountain meadows. All the best of Utah's Color Country!

Click here to learn more about why you should do the Hoodoo!

Registration for the 2009 Race will open in January.

Looking for teammates or crew? Post a message on the Hoodoo 500 Blog

WHAT ON EARTH IS A HOODOO?
Geologically speaking, hoodoos are tall, skinny spires of rock that protrude from the bottom of arid basins and sedimentary rock. Nowhere else in the world can one find a concentration of these awesome pinnacles like those found in Southern Utah. Click here to learn about the geology of hoodoos. Mystically speaking, hoodoo means a magical spell; which is what the Hoodoo 500 experience will cast upon you. Come test yourself, and bring your lucky mojo...

DISTANCE:  519 miles (unless re-routing is required due to road closures or other circumstances) with about 30,000' climbing.

ROUTE: The Official Route of the Hoodoo 500 is available now as an excel file by clicking here.  Generally speaking,  the race follows a course starting in St. George, and traveling through Hurricane, Colorado City, Kanab, Carmel Junction, Bryce, Tropic, Escalante, Boulder, Torrey, Panguitch, Cedar City and back to St. George. It's a loop course on wonderful, well-maintained, quiet roads with little traffic and breath-taking scenery. Click here to see some photographs of the route. Click here to view maps, profiles and 3D views of the course. Racers interested in pre-riding most of the course should join us for our spectacular Tour of Southern Utah.

DIVISIONS OFFERED:
Solo (no drafting)
• Men (Men's Open, 50+)
• Women (Women's Open, 50+)
• Tandem (Open, 50+)
Relay Teams (unrestricted rider exchanges)
• Two Racers
• Four Racers
• Two Tandems (Four racers)
• Four Tandems (Eight racers)
Voyager (solo, no support crew)
• Limited to 15 riders selected by the Race Directors (based on submitted resume).

2009 REGISTRATION FEES*:
Early registration until July 15th:
$295 Solo and Voyager
$545 Tandems and Two-Person Team
$895 Four-Person Team
$1,395 Eight-Person Tandem Team
After June 15th the entry fee is increased $100 per category. Registration closes August 15th.

*Click here to learn more about registration, what's included with the entry fees, and the cancellation policy.

Registration for the 2009 will open in January.

AWARDS: All Solo and Team Official Finishers will receive a finisher's medal at the Finish Line, and the exclusive finisher's jersey, which will be shipped after the race. Special awards and raffle prizes will be presented at the post-race banquet! Special thanks to our 2008 sponsors who donated prizes for the winners and for the raffle: Hammer Nutrition,  Ibex Sports/VDO, Camelbak, Detours, Sparrow Hawk Photography,  Planet Ultra, Bicycle Johns and RoadID. Special thanks to the St. George Area Convention & Visitors Bureau and St. George Area Sports and Events Commission for their generous support of the 2008 race!

START/FINISH LOCATION:
Our host hotel is the Best Western Abbey Inn, 1129 S. Bluff Street, St. George, Utah, (435) 652-1234. Be sure and request the Hoodoo 500 / Planet Ultra special rate of $81 per night for both Friday night before the race and Sunday night following. The Best Western Abbey Inn will also host our Post-Race Banquet Brunch on Monday morning.

2009 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS: All activities take place at the Best Western Abbey Inn.

Friday, September 11, 2009 Racer check-in & bicycle/vehicle Inspection: 1pm-5pm Pre-Race Meeting: 7pm

Saturday, September 12, 2009 Voyager Start: 5am Solo Start: 7am Two-Person Relay Teams Start: 9am Four-Person Relay Teams Start: 11am

Monday, September 14, 2009 Race Ends: 7am Post-Race Banquet Breakfast: 9am Please stay the extra day and join the racers and crews in savoring and celebrating the wonderful accomplishment of the Hoodoo 500!

RULES:
The Hoodoo 500 rules represent the minimum interference with rider strategy and performance, while effectively controlling the race and abiding by the rules and regulations required under the various permits granted by the States of Arizona and Utah. The Hoodoo 500 is an extraordinary personal challenge; and these rules are in place to ensure maximum safety and competitive fairness. Read them by clicking here.

RIDER / SUPPORT CREW RESOURCES:
Click here for lots of useful information, hints and suggestions on racing, crewing, strategies, nutrition and more!

FAQs:
Feel free to email us with questions. We'll post our responses to the most common questions, here.

 

The Hoodoo 500 is proud to be an Official Qualifier for the Race Across AMerica

and a participating event in the UMCA Ultracycling Cup