Aspen Backcountry Marathon
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Aspen Backcountry Marathon
The Aspen Backcountry event in Aspen, Colorado offers three trail distances that run almost exclusively on dirt trails and use the trails around the town. The race day is Saturday, August 1, 2026, and the start and finish are at Rio Grande Park. The event is held alongside the Duck Derby festival in the park, which includes live music, food vendors, booths, and family activities.
Distances:
- 50K (about 30.39 miles) with 5,512 feet total elevation gain.
- Marathon (about 26.35 miles) with 4,764 feet total elevation gain.
- Heavy Half-Marathon (about 14.64 miles) with 3,169 feet total elevation gain.
Courses feature varied terrain with ascents and descents and reach alpine elevations above 10,000 feet. The 50K includes an out-and-back to the McNamara Hut as part of the longer route. The race is limited-support with remote aid stations, course markings, and light aid offerings such as water, an electrolyte drink, bananas and oranges. Portable toilets and a medical team are present at the start and finish; volunteer medical personnel are positioned along the course but rescue or medical attention is not guaranteed. Organizers recommend competitors carry the official GPX track on a personal device.
Logistics notes include a requirement for a valid CORSAR card on race day, allowance of drop bags at the start/finish, and limited parking in Aspen with local transit and carpooling as alternatives. All finishers receive a commemorative award and podium awards are given to the top three men and women in each distance. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
