Barr Trail Mountain Race
Manitou Springs, CO
- 12.5 Miler
- Trail (Unpaved)
- Official race website
The Barr Trail Mountain Race is one of the Front Range’s historic summer mountain running events. The 12.6-mile course begins at the Cog Railway Station (6,570 ft) in Manitou Springs, Colorado, ascends Pikes Peak’s iconic Barr Trail to Barr Camp (10,200 ft) before turning, descending and finishing at the Barr … MORE
Local Historical Weather (Jul 19):
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
| H (°F) | 86 | 84 | 85 | 92 | 85 |
| L (°F) | 62 | 60 | 62 | 68 | 60 |
Find Nearby Lodging (hotel, rental, etc.):
Low Bar-High Bar-No Bar, like it is?
I think at this point I need to address a few issues. The organization, all four races are a great group of folks. This race is a disappointment because of … MORE
I think at this point I need to address a few issues. The organization, all four races are a great group of folks. This race is a disappointment because of a lack of concern of the race director, the town of Manitou, Colorado Springs, and the Cog train folks. The lack of focus and concern for the runners and the support group is sad indeed. Clearly the town wants nothing to do with the race. Parking fees at every turn and a pure focus on making money. The race itself is focused on young fast runners, all others– to bad. 30 + runners did not finish because of the cut off. Most came in just minutes after cutoff. The minute it hit 4 hours, all timing mats were turned off, finish line broke down, tents gone and all moved in minutes to the park, a mile away. To make room for parking and tourist, tourist that are there everyday and move on to the next phase. There were volunteers on the trail wondering what to do with no direction. Runners still out. Zero communication. At some point someone is going to get hurt or die and that disclaimer everyone signs will do no good. How do you leave runners out??? Crazy. Look at the participants, most 98% are Colorado and high altitude areas. Running groups stay alive based on the slow and older folks who want to have fun. There is zero focus on fun with this race. Get in, get out, and disappear. If you run it, know you are on your own. This race is 6 miles up, rocks and a rough course, come back down. The after race event when the slow folks got there, was out of food, almost out. Nothing to drink except Champagne, some beer and Gater-aid. What if you don’t drink beer? Who wants Gater-aid after a race? That was a shot-gun put together with donated stuff. There was a lot of water melon. The other races do not have these problems. One could start the race 1/2 an hour earlier or and hour. There could be a little courtesy too. This same thing happened last year. No ears listing in this race. AND, a two mile walk to the cars. I have ran almost 400 races of all distances 5,10,13,17,20,26, 31,35 miles and not one finish line does this craziness, not one. If I was a first time runner, I would never come back. Check out the parking ticker for race day in photos. Unbelievable.
Beware of the Boulder
Be aware there is little room for a miss-step. Clearly in this race, this race only, they are clearly more interested in the top 30, than the rest of the … MORE
Be aware there is little room for a miss-step. Clearly in this race, this race only, they are clearly more interested in the top 30, than the rest of the folks. So, run this race for fun but make sure your under the 4 hour mark. Such a great race series and this one race out of the series seams to fumble the ball. I believe the problem here is not with the organizers but with the city of Manitou Springs. They profiteer to the max , parking fees etc. This year they let cars into the parking as runners were still finishing. Totally uncalled for.
Going the Distance for me :),.
This race course has changed a couple of times. It used to be called the Summer Round UP. The current course is very hard. 6 miles up hill and a … MORE
This race course has changed a couple of times. It used to be called the Summer Round UP. The current course is very hard. 6 miles up hill and a turn around. 400 ran it this time. Crazy hard for flat-landers. Most runners come from mountain areas or high altitude. Last year I exploded on the course, this year I improved by 1 hours and 35 minutes. Most runners in this race are super good, in shape, young, and skinny. But all types run it. Leg 2 of the Garden to Peak challenge. ( Pikes Peak Marathon and Ascent ). Their Swag is a T-shirt, no medal, cups, mugs etc.