Beth Pappas, director of sporting events and partnerships for the Vail Recreation District, said her team of race organizers is “always dreaming” when it comes to planning events. This summer, a fantasy comes true in the form of a new race.
The 2024 Vail Recreation District Trail Running Series opens Saturday with the Boneyard Boogie 13k and 5k in Eagle. The seven-event schedule continues with the premiere of the independent race “Cougar Ridge Classic.”
“We've got approval and support from the Town of Vail and the Town of Minturn. The Forest Service is working with us, and Vail Resorts is working with us, so we're really excited that it's going to happen,” Pappas said. He talked about the day's event. -Kilometer trail ultra from Vail to Minturn.
According to preliminary course maps, the Cougar Ridge Classic will be a 14.75-mile race with 3,410 feet of elevation gain. Runners climb Vail Mountain via Gittalong Road and Cabin Trail to Midvale, crisscrossing to Eagle's Nest before connecting to the Grand Traverse. From there, athletes join Cougar Ridge, loop around Lion's Head Rock and drop into the Game Creek drainage before finishing in the town of Minturn.
Pappas said the event was a “collaborative idea” that was “a long time in the making.”
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“Dynafit, the title sponsor of the series, has always been interested in long distance,” she explained. “That sub-ultra distance is very popular. The ultimate goal is to grow this into a multi-day trail running festival…a sub-ultra, maybe a kids race, something like that. But… I want to grow, do things right and do well in the first year.”
Pappas said the event will be unique in at least some ways. The non-profit organization he “owns” each of the five aid stations. Racers will vote for their favorite stop and the winning group will receive a donation. There will also be cash prizes for elite athletes and podiums in each age group.
“The event will include some fun things we haven't done before,” Pappas added.
The traditional trail run series that has continued for 24 years will also bring smiles. VRD's registration website states that athletes can expect “marked routes, aid stations, experienced volunteers, and courses that are difficult for the elite and fun for beginners.”
Wyatt Smith, the recreation district's new sports coordinator, said being a trail runner himself gives him an added appreciation for the “backbone” of the event.
“I truly believe that the better the volunteers, aid stations and facilities, the more enjoyable it will be for everyone,” he said. Smith knows participants come to Town Series events with different mindsets and enjoys catering to different goals.
“It's really exciting to build a fun event and hear how happy they are about it while[participants]push themselves,” he continued, adding that the community aspect makes Vail's series special. He added that he is doing so.
“As someone who has competed in other events, after you finish the race you feel like you're talking to some of your friends who you raced with,” he said. “We don't always have that community aspect. In our race, it's very easy to make new friends.”
Two other appealing features, according to the organizing team, are its intimate scale and great location.
“This is not a rock'n'roll half marathon with 50,000 people,” Pappas said. “You're with her 250 best friends. That's still a lot, but it's enough to make friends.”
“You'll also be racing, running and walking in some pretty spectacular areas,” added marketing director Nell Davis.
Each event, with the exception of the iconic Berry Picker and Vail Hill Climb uphill-only events, has a 5-kilometre distance and longer distance options. Entry fees for the entire series are $245 for the distance event and $130 for the 5-kilometre series. Prices for individual events range from $25 to $50 for pre-registration and $37 to $70 on the day of the event. To register, visit vailrec.com.
Awards will be given to the top three men and women in each age group in each race. Additionally, an overall series champion will be recognized at the end of the season, determined by the top five finishers in the long distance series and the top three finishers in the five kilometer series. Each event also includes a post-race party, finish line refreshments, and an awards ceremony. Lastly, all registered racers will be entered into a raffle giveaway and will have free access to race photos.
“We are working diligently to provide them,” Smith said.
The third annual Mighty Marmot Trail Series for youth ages 4 to 10 will open on September 6 at Little Beach Park in Minturn. The three-race series also includes a stop at Miller Ranch Open Space in Edwards (Sept. 20) and a new event beginning Oct. 4 at Beaver Creek Ice Rink. Each race starts at 4pm and includes races 1 and 2. Miles option. Parents can also run with their children. Pappas said Mighty Marmot's involvement in events has blossomed over the past two years.
“The kids here are very active, so there's definitely a demand for it,” she said.
“We want to continue to attract a younger demographic,” Davis added. “That's the future of the sport. So how do we reach them, how do we talk to them, that's definitely something we're always talking about.”