RACE UPDATE: Because of rising Covid-19 infection rates in El Paso County, Cheyenne Mountain State Park is mandating a participation cap of 250 runners in the Oct. 24 Cheyenne Mountain Trail Race. Only a few spots remaining, so register soon!
Plans call for the creation of a virtual race with proceeds going to our nonprofit partner Achilles Pikes Peak.
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Hello Cheyenne Mountain Trail Racers,
We have received permission from Cheyenne Mountain State Park to hold the 10th Cheyenne Mountain Trail Race on Saturday, Oct. 24.
When you run with us, you’re running to help others. This race supports Achilles Pikes Peak, the nonprofit that helps athletes with disabilities to live active lives.
As we all know, running events look a little different these days as we adapt to covid-19 protocols. We’re going to do our best to make our event stress free and easy to navigate. While we must remain somewhat fluid, our plans are coming together. Here is how we’re meeting our new challenges.
Course changes
The park ranger has requested that we eliminate as much head-to-head traffic on the course as possible. We’re close to nailing down new courses. The 50K and 25K courses will be similar to our traditional course. Our 10K will be entirely different.
Start times
To make this work, we’ll need to condense our start times. The best info we can provide one month out is for all racers to be parked and ready to run at 8 a.m. We’ll nail this down and update you well before race day.
Volunteers
We need them! If you know of anyone, please have them e-mail co-race director Tim Bergsten at tim.bergsten@gmail.com.
Packet pick-up
We’ll have early packet-pick-up from 4-7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 21, and Thursday, Oct. 22, at the Colorado Running Company, our longtime sponsor. Drive-up service, no need to get out of your car. We’ll provide a map in our pre-race e-mail.
Race-day packet pick-up begins at 7 a.m. in the parking lot at the Limekiln Trailhead at CMSP.
Race day
• The general theme here is to prevent gathering in large groups.
• Social distance at all times, including during the race (obviously not always possible, but you get the idea.)
• Masks are required at all times, but may be removed when the run begins
• Upon arrival, remain in the parking lot or disperse for a warm-up. Avoid the start area. We’ll have water/Gatorade available in the parking lot.
• Wave starts. We’ll need your help as runners will be asked to seed themselves. We’ll call you to the start line. Elites and fast, competitive runners will start first, then the next fastest etc. (More details to come.) Please social distance and wear your mask until the race starts.
• Upon arriving, please sign our covid waiver which essentially says you are not sick and to your knowledge have not been exposed to anyone with the virus. All runners and volunteers must do this. We’ll have tables set up for this near packet pick-up.
• Upon finishing the race, please exit the finish area. We’ll have food and drink in the parking lot.

Shopping at the Colorado Running Company: Just do it! But please make the necessary arrangements by visiting the CRC website, https://corunco.com/. Online shopping also available!
As mentioned, more details to come, but if we can stick to this plan we’ll ensure the success of this and future running races.
Thanks for your understanding and patience,
Tim Bergsten & Michael Pharis,
Co-Race Directors
Cheyenne Mountain Trail Race

Helping athletes with disabilities to live active lives!

Join us on Saturday, Oct. 24th, for the 10th running of the Cheyenne Mountain Trail Race at Cheyenne Mountain State Park. This race benefits Achilles Pikes Peak, a local nonprofit that helps athletes with disabilities to enjoy the trails and live rich, active lives.
Our 50K, 25K and 10K courses include some of the best trails on the Front Range. Runners will cross grassy meadows and pierce dark stands of timber beneath the granite face of iconic Cheyenne Mountain. These trails are very runnable with a couple of well-placed rocks to keep you awake.

About

Course info: The 50K and 25K courses include a “figure eight” layout with the start, finish and drop bag area located near the intersection of the “eight." 50K runners will make two laps of the course. The 10K will be challenging but doable by anyone. Due to our covid-19 changes, we'll have course changes and new maps distributed before race day.

Awards/shwag: Because the race helps support an important nonprofit, we try to keep our expenses low and our entry fees affordable. In our event, there are no age group awards. All runners will receive our tech T-shirt and coffee mugs! We also provide a small amount of prize money for the top three men and women in the 50K and 25K, plus medals for the top three in all races. Masters winners in each race also receive race medals.

Packet pickup: We'll have early packet pickup, 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, and Thursday, Oct. 22, at the Colorado Running Company, 5262 N Nevada Ave #140. Race-day packet pickup and registration begins at 7 a.m.

Bring the family: Find us: Cheyenne Mountain State Park (410 JL Ranch Heights) is a located about five miles south of downtown Colorado Springs on Hwy 115 (Nevada Ave. south).

Driving directions: More Information on Cheyenne Mountain State Park web site.

Volunteers: Anyone who would like to volunteer is asked to contact Tim Bergsten, co-race director at tim.bergsten@gmail.com. Volunteers will receive the official race shirt.

Schedule: Covid change here. Everyone we ready to run at 8 a.m. We'll have a wave start (social distance!). More details to come.

Parking: There is plenty of parking near the starting line. Your registration includes free entry into the park. We’ll have volunteers on site at 6:30 a.m. and walk-up registration begins at 7 a.m.

Drop Bags: Drop bags can be left on the course near the starting line, which is close to our main aid station. 50K runners will have drop-bag access three times (one time for 25K.)

Aid Stations: We’ll have three aid stations on course with plenty of food, water and Gatorade. If you want anything else to drink, please bring your own.

Achilles Athletes run for free!

Everyone deserves some trail time and a fun race experience. In our races, Achilles athletes and their guides run for free. We have Achilles divisions for visually and mobility impaired runners, with recognition for the top three in the 50K, 25K and 10K. Achilles runners will also be eligible for overall race awards. We're asking that all disabled athletes run with a guide. Guides must secure a comp entry code and register for the race.