Dates Announced for the 2008 LaSportiva Vail Mountain Trail Running Series
Posted Sunday, 6 January, 2008
Vail, Colorado – Colorado’s premier trail running series offers new additions this year yet continues some of the traditions that has made the series a success during the past ten years.
“We strive to have the best race series in Colorado by providing great courses and excellent organization. Going into our second decade of racing, we have a revamped series which will attract new participants to the start line alongside the runners who support the series year after year,” said race director Joel Rabinowitz.
The series, title sponsored by La Sportiva, runs June through September and includes events from 5 miles to just over the half marathon distance.
“Vail is the perfect location for trail running, so La Sportiva is naturally very excited to help make exciting and fun trail racing available. Vail has always done a great job, and as a world-class resort, people can come from all over the country for the entire weekend, or they can drive up from the Front Range for a refreshing summer day in the mountains. Each of these races is very scenic, they make excellent use of the beautiful natural terrain, all of which fits in perfectly with La Sportiva's 50-year old heritage as the pre-eminent manufacturer of mountain footwear,” says Buzz Burrell, spokesperson for La Sportiva.
Rabinowitz and his staff at Vail Recreation District partner with Beaver Creek Resorts this year to host the first event in the series on June 21 in Beaver Creek. This evening trail race, the La Sportiva Beaver Creek Summer Solstice, will celebrate the summer solstice. The course details will be announced in February.
Second in the series is the 32nd running of the La Sportiva Vail HillClimb on July 6. This 7.5 mile route boasts 2200 vertical ascent from the base of Vail Mountain to the summit and is the largest event in the series and a favorite of locals and visitors alike.
On July 20 runners can choose to race either a 5 mile uphill route with the La Sportiva Berry Picker or the La Sportiva HalfMarathon which is actually a bit longer than a half marathon at just over 14 miles. The Berry Picker also serves as a selection race for the Teva U.S. Mountain Running Team where the top male finisher, the top two female finishers, and the top junior male will all earn spots on this year’s team. Both events will start at Golden Peak Children’s Center.
The fourth event, the La Sportiva 10k at 10,000 Feet will be held on August 10. Runners will take a ride up the Eagle Bahn Gondola for the start of the race at the summit of Vail Mountain. The entire race is above 9,000 feet of elevation with the high points above 10,000 feet.
The final race of the series is the La Sportiva Evergold 10k on September 7. The race starts behind Golden Peak Children’s Center located at the base of Vail Mountain, and traverses the mountain on some of the most beautiful trails at a time of year when the colors are sure to include golden, and bright yellows from the Aspen trees.
Registration opens in mid-January and can be handled online at www.active.com, or by downloading an entry form at www.vailrec.com which can be faxed, or mailed to Vail Recreation District. Runners may also register onsite at the VRD offices. If you are a past series participant you will receive a postcard in the mail reminding you of the race dates and registration details or you may pick up an entry at any running specialty store along the Front Range. You may register for one event, two events, or for the entire series. Register for the entire five-race series by June 8 for $115. Individual race entry is $25 or $35 on race day.
Vail Recreation District provides well marked routes, accurate and timely results, commemorative T-shirts, and great prizes which are presented to overall and age group winners of each event with series prizes awarded after the final event to runners who compete in and finish at least four events. Prizes include certificates for La Sportiva trail running shoes, high value items such as sunglasses, headlamps, technical T-shirts, and other great gear. Raffle prize drawings will be held at each race awards ceremony featuring products from area merchants and national companies. Last year’s series boasted more than 1100 participants with 15 runners completing at least four races in the series.
In addition to the series events, five other trail races highlight the VRD running calendar this spring and summer. The 5k Mud Run and the 10k Spring Run Off will be part of the sixth annual Teva Mountain Games in early June, on August 23, the popular and very challenging Beaver Creek Vertical Ascent will be held, and on August 31 a new race, the La Sportiva Vail Trophy Challenge will be held as part of the La Sportiva Mountain Cup Series. For more information about these events contact www.tevamountaingames.com and www.beavercreek.com.
To view results and press releases from last year’s event, and to see course maps (available in early spring) visit www.vailrec.com
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