10K & 5K @ 10,000 Feet
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10K & 5K at 10,000 Feet : Vail Mountain, July 18, 2026 (subject to change)
This mountain trail race offers two distances that begin at Mid-Vail near the top of Gondola One at roughly 10,000 feet above sea level. The courses were rerouted for 2026 and traverse Vail Mountain, including sections across the back bowls and Grand Traverse, with sustained singletrack and gravel road surfaces and high-elevation views of the Vail Valley and the Gore Range.
Course details include:
- 10K : longer Grand Traverse route across Game Creek Bowl and Wildwood
- 5K : shorter route via Eagle's Nest Haul Road and Meadow's Loop connector
Course statistics from the organizer’s GPX file list the longer course at about 9.5 km with roughly 925 feet of elevation gain and the shorter course at about 5 km with roughly 488 feet of elevation gain. Surfaces mix singletrack and gravel; maximum grades on both courses exceed 11 percent in places. Water is available at all aid stations and Skratch Labs hydration drink will be provided. The event follows a minimal-waste approach and encourages reusable hydration devices.
Participants may use racer bibs as gondola lift tickets to reach the start; dogs are not allowed on the gondola. Post-race provisions include donuts and fresh fruit at the finish, custom race t-shirts, age-group awards for both distances, and a raffle with sponsor prizes. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
