West Elk Challenge
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West Elk Challenge Trail Marathon
The West Elk Challenge is a point-to-point backcountry trail race held in Western Colorado’s North Fork Valley. The event takes place during the peak of autumn, featuring routes through aspen forests and over high-elevation mountain passes. Participants can choose between two primary distances:
- Marathon (42.2 km): A 26.2-mile course starting at Crawford State Park.
- 30K (18 miles): A point-to-point route starting near Needle Rock.
The marathon course involves more than 4,000 feet of elevation gain, reaching a peak height of 9,762 feet at Inter-Ocean Pass within the Gunnison National Forest. The terrain consists mostly of gravel roads and singletrack forest trails, with a small percentage of paved surfaces at the beginning and end of the route. Both distances conclude in the Town of Paonia.
Five aid stations are positioned along the course at approximately miles 7, 11, 15, 19, and 22. These stations provide water, food, and first aid support. A mandatory cut-off time is enforced at the mile 11 aid station to ensure participants exit the backcountry before sunset. The event is organized by The Nature Connection, and all proceeds are used to fund scholarships for youth summer camps. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.