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Built on bad decisions in Boulder, CO.

Mountain Ridge Trail Race 21 Mile

Basic Listing
  1. Aravaipa Running
  2. 2027 Edition

21-mile Front Range trail classic with panoramic Colorado views

Explore the Course
Interactive map with aid stations, elevation & weather
DirectionsExplore
DeadlineApril 05, 2027

Nearby races

Other trail races within 35 miles

Course map for Mountain Ridge Trail Race Half Marathon

Mountain Ridge Trail Race Half Marathon

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Highlands Ranch, CO, US
Apr 10, 2027
13 miles
1,350 ft gain
Out and Back
Crew
Dropbags
Course map for Rock Hawk 50K

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Course map for The Blue Sky Round-Trip

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All trail races in Colorado→
April 10, 2027
Saturday 7:00am MDT start
Highlands Ranch, CO
United States
21.8 miles
Out and Back Course
2,110 ft
Elevation Gain
Open Registration
No lottery
No Service Requirement
Does not require trail or volunteer work
No Qualifier
No qualifier race required
Beginner Friendly
Suitable for first-timers
Links
WebsiteInstagramFacebookYouTube
2014
Established
2:30 M / 2:42 W
Course Record

What Makes It Great

A rolling, mostly-dirt trail race traversing the Douglas County East-West Regional Trail near Highlands Ranch, Colorado. The Y-shaped out-and-back course covers 21.8 miles with 2,106 feet of gain through open Front Range terrain with panoramic Rocky Mountain views. With four aid stations, generous cutoffs, and a welcoming atmosphere, it serves as an approachable introduction to longer-distance trail racing and has been a Colorado spring tradition since 2014.

Difficulty

Entry-Level
3/10

Suitable for first-timers

Variable Weather
Sun Exposure

Race Highlights

90% dirt and singletrack
Nearly the entire course runs on the Douglas County East-West Regional Trail with only a short paved bike path section
Front Range panoramas
Rolling ridgeline course delivers sweeping views of the Rocky Mountain Front Range throughout
Spring opener since 2014
One of Colorado's early-season trail traditions, running since 2014 and now produced by Aravaipa Running
Four distances, one venue
5K, 10K, half marathon, and 21-mile options all start and finish at Mountain Ridge Middle School on the same morning

Mountain Ridge Trail Race 21 Mile

Highlands Ranch, CO, United StatesApril 10, 2027

April 10, 2027

Mountain Ridge Trail Race 21 Mile is an out-and-back trail race in Highlands Ranch, CO, United States, held on April 10, 2027. The course covers 21.8 miles, climbs 2,110 ft, and has a 6h30m cutoff.

Course map for Mountain Ridge Trail Race 21 Mile
DistDistance21.8 mi
GainElevation Gain2,110 ft
LimitCutoff6 h 30 m
Terrain Technical Terrain
Variable WeatherSun Exposure

Entry Timeline

Registration DeadlineApril 05, 2027
Race DayApril 10, 2027

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.

Terrain

Technical Difficulty3/10

Well-maintained, non-technical trails

Surface Types
Singletrack90%
Pavement10%
21.8 mi
Distance
Out and Back
Route
6h30m
Cutoff Time
6,099 ft
Average Elevation
2,110 ft
Total Ascent
2,110 ft
Total Descent
6,407 ft
High Point
5,758 ft
Low Point
Explore Course
Course map for Mountain Ridge Trail Race 21 Mile
Launch Course Explorer

Aid Stations & Cutoffs

LocationMileElevationCutoffCrewDrop bags
Start
Start
0.06,056 ft—
Grigs Aid
Aid Station
2.26,302 ft—
Coyote Cache Aid
Aid Station
6.06,283 ft—
Grigs Aid II
Aid Station
9.96,302 ft—
West Side Aid
Aid Station
16.15,778 ft—
Finish
Finish
21.86,056 ft
6h30m1:30 PM
Crew
Drop Bags

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 on-site camping available

Crew Access Points

Pacer Rules

No Pacers Allowed

Crew Rules

  • Crews may support runners at the start/finish area only. No on-course crew access.
Weather

April mornings in Highlands Ranch start cold, with temperatures ranging from the upper 20s to low 40s°F at race start. By midday conditions often warm to the 50s–60s°F. Spring snowstorms are possible in early April, afternoon wind can develop on exposed ridge sections, and UV exposure is notable at 6,000–6,400 feet elevation. Dress in layers and carry a light wind layer.

Rapid Weather Changes

April weather on the Front Range is unpredictable — sub-freezing mornings are possible and afternoon conditions can shift quickly

Gear Rules

Required Gear

  • Reusable cup (Cupless race — disposable cups are not provided at aid stations)

Recommended Gear

  • Trail shoes (Recommended but not required)

Featured Videos

Video thumbnail: Mountain Ridge Trail Race
Mountain Ridge Trail Race
Colorado Race Timing•2023
Video thumbnail: Mountain Ridge Half Marathon and 10K
Mountain Ridge Half Marathon and 10K
Endurance Race Series•2021
Video thumbnail: Mountain Ridge Half Marathon and 5K
Mountain Ridge Half Marathon and 5K
Colorado Race Timing•2021

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