The Blue Sky Ascent

The Blue Sky Ascent runs 14.5 miles up North America's highest paved road, climbing nearly 4,000 vertical feet from Echo Lake at 10,600 feet to the summit of Mount Blue Sky at 14,264 feet. Passing through montane, subalpine, and alpine biomes, runners spend the final miles above treeline in full exposure — flanked by bighorn sheep and mountain goats. Originally held as the Mt. Evans Trophy Run in 1971 and one of Colorado's oldest mountain races, the event draws competitive climbers and ambitious recreational runners who want to test themselves at altitude.