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Built on bad decisions in Boulder, CO.

Collegiate Peaks Trail Run 50 Mile

Basic Listing
  1. Buena Vista Optimist Club
  2. 2026 Edition

Two self-supported loops — one clockwise, one reversed — through Colorado high-country singletrack above Buena Vista

Explore the Course
Interactive map with aid stations, elevation & weather
DirectionsExplore
Registration OpensNovember 15, 2025
DeadlineApril 23, 2026
This event took place on May 02, 2026

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Course map for Silverheels Trail Runs 10 Mile

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All trail races in Colorado→
May 02, 2026
Saturday 6:30am MDT start
Buena Vista, CO
United States
50.6 miles
Multiple Loops Course
7,000 ft
Elevation Gain
Historical weather
24°F / 55°FLo/Hi Temp
17°F / 51°FFeels Like
45%Cloud Cover
0% (0.06 in)Precipitation
8 mphWind Speed
58%Humidity
6:05 AMSunrise
7:57 PMSunset
Open Registration
No lottery
No Service Requirement
Does not require trail or volunteer work
No Qualifier
No qualifier race required
Challenging
Some ultra experience recommended
May Sell Out
Can fill up — register early to be safe
Links
WebsiteInstagramFacebook
1991
Established
95%
Finish Rate
6:57 M / 7:58 W
Course Record

What Makes It Great

A double-loop challenge starting and finishing at the Buena Vista Community Center, tracing historic Midland Railroad trails through National Forest and BLM lands north and east of town. Runners complete the first 25.3-mile loop clockwise, then immediately reverse direction for a counterclockwise second lap. The course climbs from the Arkansas River valley at 8,000 feet to nearly 9,400 feet, featuring five aid stations per loop, a snow-melt creek crossing that ranges from ankle-deep to thigh-high depending on spring runoff, and the notorious two-mile Lenhardy Hill grind. No pacers or crew are permitted — only a drop bag at the midway turnaround.

Difficulty

Intermediate
4/10

Some ultra experience recommended

High Altitude
Steep Climbing
River Crossing
Variable Weather
Sun Exposure

Race Highlights

7,000+ ft of climbing
Over 3,500 feet of gain per loop, with the relentless two-mile Lenhardy Hill as the defining obstacle each time through
Snow-melt creek crossing
A natural creek at ~mile 10 ranges from a dry rock-hop to waist-deep depending on spring snowpack
Collegiate Peaks panorama
High ridgeline sections deliver sweeping views of the Sawatch Range's 14,000-foot summits towering over the valley
Historic Midland Railroad grade
Course follows remnants of the 19th-century Colorado Midland Railroad through scenic Chaffee County backcountry

Collegiate Peaks Trail Run 50 Mile

Buena Vista, CO, United StatesMay 02, 2026

May 02, 2026

Collegiate Peaks Trail Run 50 Mile is a multi-loop trail race in Buena Vista, CO, United States, held on May 02, 2026. The course covers 50.6 miles, climbs 7,000 ft, and has a 12h cutoff.

Course map for Collegiate Peaks Trail Run 50 Mile
DistDistance50.6 mi
GainElevation Gain7,000 ft
LimitCutoff12 h
High AltitudeSteep ClimbingRiver CrossingVariable WeatherSun Exposure

Entry Timeline

Registration OpensNovember 15, 2025
Registration DeadlineApril 23, 2026
Race DayMay 02, 2026

Lottery

This event uses open registration - no lottery entry required.

Qualifier

This event does not require a qualifier for entry.

Service Requirement

This race does not have a service requirement for entry.
50.6 mi
Distance
Multiple Loops
Route
12h
Cutoff Time
8,593 ft
Average Elevation
7,000 ft
Total Ascent
7,000 ft
Total Descent
9,400 ft
High Point
7,999 ft
Low Point
Explore Course
Course map for Collegiate Peaks Trail Run 50 Mile
Launch Course Explorer

Aid Stations & Cutoffs

LocationMileElevationCutoffDrop bags
Start
Start
0.07,953 ft—
Aid 1
Aid Station
5.78,609 ft—
Aid 2
Aid Station
11.68,609 ft—
Aid 3
Aid Station
14.48,609 ft—
Aid 4
Aid Station
17.68,609 ft—
Aid 5
Aid Station
22.18,609 ft—
Aid 6 (Turnaround)
Aid Station
25.37,953 ft
5h45m12:15 PM
Drop Bags
Aid 7
Aid Station
28.58,428 ft
6h30m1:00 PM
Aid 8
Aid Station
33.09,314 ft
7h30m2:00 PM
Aid 9
Aid Station
36.28,484 ft
8h15m2:45 PM
Aid 10
Aid Station
39.09,049 ft
9h3:30 PM
Aid 11
Aid Station
44.98,533 ft
10h30m5:00 PM
Finish
Finish
50.67,953 ft
12h6:30 PM

Sign in for race-day weather at every station, points of interest, segment-by-segment analysis, pacing, and to save this race to your calendar.

No Dogs Allowed
No on-site camping available

Crew Access Points

Pacer Rules

No Pacers Allowed

Crew Rules

No Crew Allowed
Daylight
13h 52m
6:05 AM7:57 PM
55°F / 24°F
Feels like 51°F / 17°F
Temperature Hi/Lo
0% (0.06 in)
Precipitation
8 mph
Wind
58%
Humidity
45%
Cloud Cover
Based on historical averages for May 02

May racing at 8,000–9,400 feet in the Sawatch Range brings cold mornings and unpredictable afternoons. Temperatures at the 6:30 AM gun typically range from the upper 20s to low 40s°F (−2 to 4°C), warming to the mid-50s to low 70s°F at valley elevations by midday. Afternoon thunderstorms are a real risk above 9,000 feet, and snow can linger on north-facing slopes well into spring. Runners should plan for a cold start, sun protection during midday miles, and the possibility of a fast-moving storm on the back half.

Gear Rules

Trekking poles allowed

Required Gear

No required gear specified

Recommended Gear

No recommended gear specified

Videos & Race Reports

No videos or race reports available for this event yet.

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Registration closed