Running Up for Air - Malans Peak

The Up For Air Series is a collection of endurance events created to amplify informed dialogue and empower organizations actively working on air quality solutions. Proceeds from RUFA events are directed at carefully selected non-profit groups who demonstrate high value influence strategies. The race platform is used to expose participants and the general public to science-based material about the importance of healthy air. All events are conducted with a minimal footprint philosophy.

Running Up For Air (aka RUFA) is a 3, 6, 12, or 24 hour winter endurance challenge for teams or individuals that takes place on Malans Peak on the east bench of Ogden City. Each “lap” starts and finishes at the 29th Street Trailhead (29th Street and Buchanan Ave, Ogden). Parking is available at the trailhead, but we encourage participants to carpool. There is a church at 27th and Tyler Ave that has available parking. (Shuttle service will not be provided.) Elevation at the start is 4764’. The route climbs roughly 2300' to the top of Malans Peak topping out at 6904’. Runners will retrace their steps and return to the trailhead for a total of six miles. The first .75 mile is a gradual climb of 300’ right before entering Taylor Canyon. The next two miles quickly become steep finishing off the next 2,000’ of gain to the peak. Repeat this as many times as possible until you Refuse To Continue (RTC). The time of year (February!) is intentional as it coincides with the latter part of the winter inversion "season".  

Given the time of year the route is almost entirely snow covered and can easily involve harsh winter mountain conditions. This is winter running at its finest! Prepare for ice and wind depending on the weather. Spikes or shoe screws are recommended once entering the canyon if ice is present.

Register for any of these options:

24 Hour Race

24hr: 6pm Friday night start
24hr: Malans Peak Team Relay (1 to 4 runners with one runner running per team for 24 hrs relay style)

12 Hour Race

12hr: 6pm Friday night start
12hr: 6am Saturday start                                                                                                                                                                                                              

6 Hour Race

6hr: 6pm Friday start
6hr: 7am Saturday start
6hr: 12pm Saturday start

3 Hour Race

3hr: 6pm Friday night start
3hr: 9am Saturday start     

AID STATIONS

Home Base (29th Street Trailhead) – You are responsible for having everything necessary to be comfortable, warm and well-fed. The aid station will be in a warm giant tent with places for you to rest and recharge. There will be a dry place for drop bags if you choose to have them. Invite your friends and family to come cheer you on at the trailhead.

Malans Peak – There will be minimal water and calories provided by the race at the peak. Bring what you need to snack on for the way up, and scoot back to the start to refuel.

AVAILABLE FOOD AT BASE AREA
Water & Gnarly Nutrition Fuel 2.o, hot Chick-fil-a nuggets, Taboo Pizza, PB&J, energy bars, oranges, bananas, nuts, candy, chips, cheese quesadillas, miso soup, hot chocolate, coffee, coke, sprite.

Running Up For Air (aka RUFA) is a 3, 6, 12, or 24 hour winter endurance challenge that takes place on Malans Peak on the east bench of Ogden City. Each “lap” starts and finishes at the 29th Street Trailhead (29th Street and Buchanan Ave, Ogden). Parking is available at the trailhead, but we encourge participants to carpool. There is a church at 27th and Tyler Ave that has available parking. (Shuttle service will not be provided.) Elevation at the start is 4764’. The route climbs roughly 2300′ to the top of Malans Peak topping out at 6904’. Runners will retrace their steps and return to the trailhead for a total of six miles. The first .75 mile is a gradual climb of 300’ right before entering Taylor Canyon. The next two miles quickly become steep finishing off the next 2,000’ of gain to the peak. Repeat this as many times as possible until you Refuse To Continue (RTC). The time of year (February!) is intentional as it coincides with the latter part of the winter inversion “season”. Given the time of year the route is almost entirely snow covered and can easily involve harsh winter mountain conditions. This is winter running at its finest! Prepare for ice and wind depending on the weather. Spikes or shoe screws are recommended once entering the canyon if ice is present.

CALTOPO MAP

CHECK-IN

Race check in for each event will be at the 29th Street Trailhead and will close 15 min before the start.

Friday February 27th from 4 – 5:45pm
Saturday February 28 from 5 – 6:45am
Saturday February 28 from 11 – 11:45pm

HOW DOES THE TEAM EVENT WORK
All the team events will be relay style. The only parameter is that one member of the team needs to be on the mountain at all times and no more than one at a time. Teams can determine how many laps each racer will do – 2 in a row, 5 times or tag off after each lap.

EVENT TIMING
Results from the various race categories will be sorted first by number of laps and second, by total elapsed time.  Only full laps will be counted when finished in your allotted time period. See the home page for the link, which will be live on the day of the race.

CUT OFF TIMES
The only cutoff time is leaving the 29th Street TH for a final lap at 4:30pm on Saturday.  This is applicable to the 24 event only.

Each runner needs to notify the timing captain in the tent upon finishing their final lap in the allotted time. If runners choose to stop early, they also need to let the timing captain know that they are done.  From this point racers are on their own and may choose to hang around the aid station to cheer on other runners or head home.

DOGS
No dogs on the course during the race, please. They are welcome at the 29th street Trailhead on leashes.

PARKING
There is plenty of parking at the trailhead (start/finish), although please carpool if possible.

RACE OPTIONS

In 2026, RUFA -Malan's Peak will offer our standard 24-hr option, 12-hour option, and 6-hr options, and 3-hr 

Grab some friends and join our 24 hr team option. This is a blast for co-workers, friends or family. Sign up together and cheer for one another as one person per teams runs a lap. Tag off relay style every lap, every other lap, the choice is yours. 

We are also happy to continue our 3 hour option. You can select from three start times for a 3hr race-6pm on Friday night or 9am on Saturday.

REGISTRATION DETAILS

Due to being on Forest Service Land, we are restricted in the quantity of people we can have on our race course.  Due to this, THIS RACE WILL SELL OUT. 

EARLY BIRD PRICING -Oct 31, 2025 - January 4th 2026

24 HR-$175

12 HR-$125

6 HR-$100

3 HR-$75

24 Hour Team Relay-$400

PRICE INCREASES on January 5, 2026.   

CHANGING EVENTS or REFUNDS

Runners are allowed to drop down in race duration (e.g. transitioning from the 24 hour to the 12 hr or from the 12 to the 6 hr) up through 6AM on Wed, 2/25/2026 (2 days prior).  NO money will be refunded for this transition.  Runners are also allowed to transition to a longer event and will be asked to pay the entry fee difference.  All of this assumes that there are open spots in the applicable categories.

There are no refunds as this is a charity race. 

PAST RESULTS-RUFA MALAN'S

2023

24hr: https://www.opensplittime.org/events/2023-running-up-for-air-ogden-24h/spread
24hr (relay): https://www.opensplittime.org/events/2023-running-up-for-air-ogden-24h-relay/spread
12hr: https://www.opensplittime.org/events/2023-running-up-for-air-ogden-12h/spread
12hr (relay): https://www.opensplittime.org/events/2023-running-up-for-air-ogden-12h-relay/spread
6hr: https://www.opensplittime.org/events/2023-running-up-for-air-ogden-6h/spread
3hr: https://www.opensplittime.org/events/2023-running-up-for-air-ogden-3h/spread

2022

24hr: https://www.opensplittime.org/events/2022-running-up-for-air-ogden-24h/spread
12hr: https://www.opensplittime.org/events/2022-running-up-for-air-ogden-12h/spread
6hr: https://www.opensplittime.org/events/2022-running-up-for-air-ogden-6h/spread

2020

24hr: https://www.opensplittime.org/events/2020-running-up-for-air-ogden-24h/spread
12hr: https://www.opensplittime.org/events/2020-running-up-for-air-ogden-12h/spread
6hr: https://www.opensplittime.org/events/2020-running-up-for-air-ogden-6h/spread

2019

24 hr: https://www.opensplittime.org/events/2019-rufa-ogden-24-hour
12 hr: https://www.opensplittime.org/events/2019-rufa-ogden-12-hour
6 hr: https://www.opensplittime.org/events/2019-rufa-ogden-6-hour