Whaleathon

An endurance challenge like no other.

all hail the whale

This is not your typical marathon.

The Whaleathon is a true test of physical and mental stamina, where runners tackle a relentless 0.04-mile loop around the “Out of the Blue” traffic roundabout.

Whaleathon course map

That’s right – you’ll need to complete a staggering 630 laps to conquer the full marathon distance!

0.04
Mile laps

630
Laps

26.2
Miles

History of the Whaleathon

The idea for the Whaleathon came about in 2022 when Evan Service jokingly threw out the idea while training for the Salt Lake City Marathon… “What if we just ran the full marathon around the whale?”

The idea would later became a reality through collaboration with Caleb Leftwich, Jackson Bradshaw, and Wyn Barnett, who finalized the specifics of the Whaleathon while on runs throughout the city.

The first ever Whaleathon was completed on October 21st, 2023.

Are you up for the challenge?

Become a Whaleathon finisher.

Whether you’re an experienced marathoner looking for a new challenge or a first-time runner ready to make history, this is an event that will redefine your limits.

Here’s how:

Run the Whaleathon – 26.2 miles (~630 laps) around Out of The Blue Roundabout at 900 S 1100 E, SLC, UT 84105.
Take a picture of you with the whale.
Send the following information to hail@whaleathon.com:
- Picture of you with the whale (optional).
- Screenshot(or link) of the activity from your favorite tracking app like Strava, Map my Run, Etc. (required).

Don’t feel like running around a whale 630 times, but want to support the cause? You can donate to Friends of the Great Salt Lake, their mission is to protect the Great Salt Lake ecosystem through education, research, advocacy, and the arts. Even if the Great Salt Lake isn’t a great home for a whale, its existence is vital to the health of the millions that call the Wasatch front their home. Whales need water and so does Salt Lake City!