Runners stranded in San Juan County results in race cancelation

Weather over the weekend impacted an ultra endurance event in San Juan and Grand Counties.
The Moab 240 endurance race had runners cover 240 miles over several days starting in Moab on Friday morning, traveling south to the Abajo mountains then north to the La Sals before finishing back in Moab. Over 300 runners signed up for the event that was ultimately canceled.
While the race was impacted by wet weather, it was stopped for some on Saturday night as officials announced they had held runners at the Bridger Jack aid station due to flooding in Cottonwood Creek. The Bridger Jack aid station is located 96 miles into the race event.
With 16 aid stations along the way, runners are required to check into each station by a certain time to ensure they can finish the race over the weekend.
Those runners stopped by the flooding in Cottonwood Creek were unable to finish the race as the cut-off for that aid station was Saturday at midnight. An estimated 70 people stayed the night at the station.
With additional weather concerns event organizers announced the cancellation of the rest of the race on Sunday afternoon.
Event organizers shared reports of aid station structures blowing away, trees falling down, wind, rain, and freezing temperatures.
Race officials along with the San Juan County Sheriff’s office coordinated to assist participants who were impacted by the weather, including helping those who were unable to safely leave impacted areas.
The County sheriff’s department shared
“Our priority is the safety and well-being of everyone involved. We are working closely with race organizers to coordinate assistance and help participants reach safety as conditions allow.”
On Sunday evening both law enforcement officials and event organizers confirmed that all runners and volunteers had been accounted for and returned to safety.