“To Overcome The Mountain We Must Overcome Ourselves”
Make no mistake, the elevation profile for The Sheep Mountain 50 mile and 50k are docile looking. However, the average elevation of over 10,500’ and copious amounts of aggressive terrain, will see you waddle away from this race in shock. Come ready my friends, this mountain throws everything it has at runners, challenging you from start to finish. We run amongst these “beautifully difficult” mountains and hills lining the western slope of the South Park Valley. This is the race where you carry #Adversity on your back, if you can handle the burden, you can win the day! Runners looking for a wilderness experience, stunning views, opportunities for technical terrain mixed with remote forest service roads… will fall in love with this course. (It’s more of a love-hate relationship, really).The third series of races we host in Fairplay, The Sheep Mountain 50 mile and 50k promise to provide runners with an unforgettable experience that celebrates the history, and rough and tumble nature of this mountain region.
In 2018 we added a 50k option to this weekend of high mountain running. Join us for a challenging 50k in the thin mountain air of Fairplay. Run 32.25 miles of some of the more challenging miles of the 50 mile course.
BE ADVISED: This race has been described as “Beautifully Difficult.” While the course meanders through some amazing country with stunning views of the Mosquito Range and surrounding 14er peaks, it is tough. The course features a terrain type for every runner, and a fair amount of what some would consider “unrunable stretches.” The average elevation for the course (10,662′) is bested only by the San Juan Solstice 50 in Lake City. Some of the aid stations are in remote locations that are difficult for even our volunteers to get to. While many runners have joined us for their first 50-mile here (and succeeded), it is only recommended for the truly stubborn and determined. Middle-of-the-pack typically finishes between 13 and 15 hours. You have been advised, save the whining.
COURSE
The course starts and finishes at the Town of Fairplay Beach in Fairplay, CO. The course takes runners southeast of Fairplay on a combination of forest service roads and singletrack trails. The course is a lollipop loop where the first and last 18 miles of the course are shared. The remaining 33 miles is comprised of one major loop over and around Sheep Mountain, Sheep Ridge and Round Hill. The western edge of the loop comes very close to the Buffalo Peaks Wilderness Area, offering runners some of the most isolated Ultrarunning in our state.
50k Runners will turn left at their first trip to Brown’s Pass and follow the remainder of the 50 milers course from their second time to Brown’s Pass. The 50k course shares the same 18 miles to and from town with the remaining 13 miles being exclusively on Sheep Mountain.
AID STATIONS
50 Milers: There will be 7 aid stations on the course totaling 9 aid stops. 7 aid stations will be fully stocked with water, electrolyte drink, and assorted “Ultra” snacks. Two aid stations will be Water Only. Four Aid stations will have drop bag access, which you will be able to access a total of 5 times.
50k: There will be 4 aid stations on the course totaling 5 aid stops. Three aid stations will be fully stocked with water, electrolyte drink, and assorted “Ultra” snacks. Two aid stations will be Water Only. Two aid stations will have drop bag access, which you will be able to access a total of 3 times.
CREWS AND PACERS
50 Milers: Due to access difficulty in the area, there will be crew access ONLY at three (3) aid stations. Crews can attend to their runners 3 times on the course between these three stations.
50k: Due to access difficulty in the area, there will be crew access ONLY at two (2) aid stations. Crews can attend to their runners 2 times on the course between these three stations.
No Pacers allowed for either distance.
AWARDS
All official finishers will receive a unique finishers award. We’ll also present special awards to DFL, Best Blood and a few surprise awards as well.
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