Registration: Please choose one of the following registration methods:
- Mail registration form to: 700 S. Frontage Road E., Vail, CO 81657
- On-line registration: www.active.com
- Fax registration form with credit card information to: 970.479.2281
- Phone with a Visa or Mastercard: 970.479.2280
On Friday and Saturday before each event you may pick up your bib and register at VRD Sports in the Ford Park Tennis Center in Vail. Hours of registration/bib pickup will be business hours on Friday and 10:00am-6:00pm on Saturday.
Course Support: Aid stations featuring Gatorade and water are located on the and at the start and/or finish area. Ski patrol and the Steadman Hawkins Clinic medically staff the course. Well marked routes with directional signs, course marshals and mile markers (depending on course).
Altitude: Because these races are run at elevations between 8,000 and 11,000 feet it is advised that runners who live at lower elevations arrive at least one day in advance to help acclimatize to the conditions. ALL runners should make sure to hydrate before, during, and immediately after running in the race. Remember to drink at each of the aid stations and for the longer duration runs consider an electrolyte replacement as well. The additional elevation and dry conditions will make the body work harder and become dehydrated quicker. If during the race you require medical assistance, please stop at an aid station and notify officials of your condition.
Temperature: The temperature on top of the mountain will be an average of ten degrees (Fahrenheit) cooler than in Vail Village. Please visit www.weather.com for monthly averages and daily temperatures.
Sweat check: You will be able to deposit clothing and personal effects at the race start line that you can retrieve following the race. For the Vail HillClimb, your sweats will be transported to the summit provided you check them at the start line.
Dogs: For the safety of all runners, dogs are NOT allowed in any of the events.
Ages: Participants must be at least (13) thirteen yeas old. Parents must also sign a Vail Resorts release for any participant under the age of (18) eighteen prior to the race.
T-shirts: Each participant will receive a commemorative t-shirt at the finish line.
Courses: Course maps and elevation profiles can be found at www.vailrec.com.
Race results: Professionally timed events with results posted throughout the race with official results posted a www.vailrec.com within 24 hours.
Series Awards: The series consists of the Summer Solstice Twilight Trail Run, Vail HillClimb, Half-Marathon or Berry Picker, 10K @ 10,000 Feet and the Evergold. You must run 4 out of the 5 races to count for series points. Exceptional prizes for the top 3 finishers in each age group as well as raffle prizes will be handed out.
Runner Number: Wear your runner number visibly on the front of your clothing and your finish tag will be taken when you cross the finish line. You will have an additional tear tag on your runner number for the raffle following the race. Place your raffle tag in the raffle box near the finish line.
Trail Running Tips - General:
- Stay focused on the trail underfoot. In other words, watch where you step. Seasoned trail runners plan their steps at least two steps out. Don’t jump or land on rocks that appear to be unstable. Be careful of exposed tree roots, and extremely loose gravel.
- Walk if you get tired until you’re comfortable enough (breathing) to jog again. You can alternate this practice from start to finish!
- Say or yell trail when passing another runner with uphill runners yielding to downhill runners
- Don’t be as concerned about time since it will typically take longer to run one mile at altitude (especially on more rugged terrain with elevation gains) than at sea level.
- Wear a stable running shoe, preferably a trail-running specific shoe.
Trail Running Tips – Uphill:
- Land on the ball of your foot and roll from back to front on your entire foot. Best not to be a toe runner on the uphill. Your calves will be screaming at the top of a hill!
- Take smaller steps and increase your cadence.
Trail Running Tips – Downhill:
- Practice downhill running.
- Try to limit the use of your “breaking” muscles. Your quads will be sore at the bottom of a long descent.
- Consider traversing side to side on steeper sections making your way more slowly down the trail
For More Information: If you desire more information than what is provided here, please call us at 970.479.2280, visit us at www.vailrec.com, or email mlewis@vailrec.com.