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SALT LAKE CITY — Ragnar Events says it plans to bring back its massive Ragnar Wasatch Back race in 2024 for the first time in five years, creating a 200-mile course across northern Utah that's similar to the first-ever Ragnar race held 20 years ago.
Runners in teams of 12 will tackle the course in a relay format during the two-day event, June 7-8, 2024, beginning at Utah State University in Logan and ending at Brighton Ski Resort in Big Cottonwood Canyon. Some registration for the event began on Wednesday, though its normal registration will begin next month.
Hundreds of teams are expected to sign up to complete the lengthy course, Mike Bowcut, the company's marketing director, told KSL.com. He said the race will likely be capped somewhere between 300 and 400 teams.
"Ragnar Wasatch Back was the original and flagship Ragnar event from the very first year. Tens of thousands of runners have taken part over the years and have been thrilled at experiencing a team running adventure in such a beautiful location as the Wasatch Back," added Ragnar general manager Dave DeBoer.
Next year's course is similar to the first-ever Ragnar race held in 2004. Steve and Dan Hill and Tanner Bell organized the event, designing a 188-mile relay race from Logan to Park City. They named the event after Ragnar Lothbrok, a Scandinavian king and "conqueror" in the 9th century, the Salt Lake City-based company notes.
The race ended up becoming successful enough to launch an entire brand that hosts similar events across North America. That said, Bowcut said the Wasatch Back event may still be the "most popular race" it has ever held.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenges got in the way after the 2019 race. Ragnar canceled its 2020, 2021 and 2023 events, while holding a "sprint" event in 2022 on a scaled-back course that took runners from Logan to Snowbasin Resort in Weber County. It means that the 2024 race will be the first full event in five years and just in time for a 20-year anniversary celebration.
While VIP registration is already underway, early registration will begin on Saturday before regular registration begins on Dec. 14. Teams must sign up by May 3, 2024, to participate in next year's race.
Pricing ranges between $1,400 and $1,840 for standard teams, and $850 to $1,230 for ultra teams, depending on VIP, early, regular and last-chance registration.
"We have missed hosting this event the past few years but are thrilled to bring it back in 2024," DeBoer said. "We could not be more excited to return Ragnar Wasatch Back to northern Utah."
