An epic Utah loop past national parks, monuments and state parks — among the most challenging events of its kind.
Presented by Planet Ultra, the Hoodoo 500 is among the most epic and challenging ultra-endurance events of its kind. The 500-mile (805 km) route winds through and around three National Parks, three National Monuments and several Utah State Parks, across the dramatic high-desert landscape that gives the race its name.
With international travel closed by the pandemic, I rode the 2020 edition as a virtual event on the smart trainer, completing the full 500-mile course as an official finisher in 41 hours 30 minutes — part of the most active racing year of my career to date, balancing outdoor and indoor events through the pandemic.
About the event. The Hoodoo 500 is a 500-mile (805 km) non-stop ultra in Utah, among the most epic events of its kind — its route passing through or around three National Parks (Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef), three National Monuments (Pipe Springs, Grand Staircase-Escalante, Cedar Breaks) and numerous Utah State Parks, through scenery ranging from red-rock hoodoos to aspen and pine forests. Bharat completed the distance with about 9,144 m of elevation gain.
