Come join on the Rainbow Trail in the Sangre de Cristo mountains. Run beneath the watchful eye of these gorgeous, and ominous, mountains. You may even think to yourself, ‘what a wonderful world’. This race is full of festivities, friends, challenge, and joy. Camp out with the HPRS tribe, whichever …
MORE
Come join on the Rainbow Trail in the Sangre de Cristo mountains. Run beneath the watchful eye of these gorgeous, and ominous, mountains. You may even think to yourself, ‘what a wonderful world’. This race is full of festivities, friends, challenge, and joy. Camp out with the HPRS tribe, whichever distance you choose you’ll wander through the Southern Colorado Rocky Mountains, and embrace the feeling of the wilderness within. This unique race is about community, it is about traveling together, it is about discovering the hidden treasures in the mountains and those within yourself.
The course is an out-and-back that begins and ends at The Grape Creek Trailhead on United States Forest Service land at the terminus of Custer County Road 119 located south of Westcliffe, CO. Runners will negotiate the Rainbow Trail, and Hermit Pass Road, within the San Isabel National Forest/San Carlos Ranger District. Runners will negotiate these trails and roads at elevations between 9,000 and 13,500′. On this section of the Rainbow Trail, the trail is just wide enough for ATVs to travel on. It is not a double track trail or road, not quite single track. The trail is rugged and remote and serves as the boundary of the Wilderness Area along its entire western flank.
Runners in the 100-Mile will access 4 aid locations with a total of 13 stops. Runners in the 100k will access 4 aid locations with a total of 7 stops. Runners in the 50-mile will access 4 aid locations with a total of 5 stops. Runners in the 50k will access 2 aid locations with a total of 3 stops. Each aid station will be fully stocked with water, electrolyte drink, and assorted “Ultra” snacks. Aid station cut-offs have been set against the slowest possible pace possible to successfully finish the event. Therefore, the cut-offs in this event are strict.
The first 200-Mile ultra in the world (New England Ultras 200) was directed by our very own RD, John Lacroix, in November 2008. Join us as he returns to the distance he pioneered, and we finally welcome the 200-mile distance to the HPRS schedule of races!
There will be a post race gathering at the Start/Finish. All of our runners will be welcomed at the finish line with food and drink.
LESS
Breathtaking!
This race in southern Colorado took my breath away - first figuratively, and near the end, literally. To see why, all you have to do is check out the elevation … MORE
This race in southern Colorado took my breath away – first figuratively, and near the end, literally. To see why, all you have to do is check out the elevation profile, either on the race website or my blog post. The race both begins and ends with a climb up to Music Pass at 11,450 ft. – 2,000 feet of gain in 4.3 miles – then back down, with 31 miles on the Rainbow Trail in between.
This was my first ultra that reached above 10,000 feet. I live in Michigan and did most of my training there, but I’ve never had a problem running or hiking in Colorado, so I was fairly optimistic I would be fine. And I was, until the final push. The first climb was fine, and the Rainbow Trail segment, with its gorgeous scenery and very runnable trail, was a real treat. The final climb up to Music Pass was a real struggle, and even my running partner, my niece who lives in Colorado, was really feeling it. But we made it! The photo is at the top of that final climb, showing off the wristbands that proved we got there.
Another distinctive feature of this race, being part of the Human Potential Racing Series, is the lack of top finisher awards. It’s part of their philosophy you can look up on their site. Everyone who finishes gets the same medal, and there is no pressure to run fast. Just make the generous cutoffs. This allowed us to really enjoy the experience at our own pace.
If you try this race, be aware that aid stations are eight miles apart, so bring plenty of water, salt, and snacks. It’s way too easy to get dehydrated out there and not know it. But the aid stations and finish line are well stocked, and the support is terrific. And the views alone are worth it. Definitely glad I did it!
For more details of my adventure, check out my blog post.
https://runbikethrow.net/2023/09/26/up-up-and-away-sangre-de-cristo-50-recap/