Mt. Evans Ascent
June 20, 2009
Our 2009 date is set for Saturday June 20th. We will be updating the website over the next couple of months. Registration will open on January 1st. The race has sold out the past 2 years, and we anticipate an early sell-out this year as well. If you plan to race, please register early.
INCREASED PRIZE $$$: We have increased the prize money for the Mt. Evans Ascent in 2008. The top male and female runners will take home $300 each, and the top masters runners will take home $100.
Date & Time: The Race will start promptly at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday June 21st. Summit Bags must be loaded into truck by 7:30 a.m. Additional information on the event will be emailed to competitors prior to the event.
Course: Runners will start at the Echo Lake Campground, located at the intersection of Hwy. 103(Squaw Pass Rd.) and Hwy. 5 (Mt. Evans Road). From there, the course climbs for 14.5 miles up North America's highest paved road. The course takes you through montane, subalpine, and alpine environments to the summit of Mt. Evans at 14,264 ft. Click Here for a topographic course map and elevation profile
Aid Stations: Aid stations will be equipped with fluid replacement drink, water, Coke, Hammer Gel, Cookies, Pretzels, and Fruit. Aid Stations will be located approximately every three miles. Bring your own water bottle and food if you think you will need aid more frequently. You can fill up your bottles at the aid stations.
Race Timing: The race will be chip-timed with the state of the art AMB ChipX timing system. Chips will be distributed to participants on race morning at packet pick-up.
Rules: Runners must stay to the left side of the road. Runners caught crossing the center line will be disqualified. Trash recepticals will be located 200 meters beyond all aid stations. Runners caught littering outside of this zone will be disqualified. Runners are required to carry a long sleeve shirt or jacket, as weather can change rapidly at 14,000 ft. Hats and gloves are also recommended. Please respect the cut-off times which are in place for the event (2.5 hours to get to Summit Lake, 4.5 hours to get to the top). If you have missed a cut-off, please do not ask aid station volunteers to continue.
Cut-Off's A 2.5 hour cut-off will be in effect at Summit Lake, which is approximately 9 miles into the run. Summit Lake lies at an elevation of 12,850 feet, and is 2,250 feet higher than the starting line at Echo Lake. There will be buses at Summit Lake where you can take shelter. Summit crew will be notified of your withdrawal, and your summit bag will be brought down to the buses. The finish line will officially close after 4.5 hours. If you have missed a cut-off, please do not ask aid station volunteers to continue.
Spectator Information: Friends, family members, and fans are welcome to cheer you on during the race since the road will be open to motor vehicles. An entrance fee will be charged by the Forest Service for all vehicles driving past the entrance station (aka, the starting line). Please be certain that all spectators drive slowly and cautiously past runners. There is very limited spectator parking at the Mt. Evans Summit. If your spectators can assist on the way down by filling extra seats with additional runners, it will help things to run more smoothly on race day. We strongly encourage spectators to transport as many runners as possible bact to the start line following the race.
Drop Bags: All racers who are not meeting friends or family at the top are urged to send a drop-bag to the summit. Even when there are warm temperatures at the starting line, the summit can be cold, windy, and has the potential for snow at any time of year. Please send warm clothing to the summit in your drop! All summit bags must be loaded into the summit truck by 7:30 a.m.
Getting Down the Mountain: Shuttles will be provided to transport runners down from the finish line atop Mt. Evans to the buses waiting at Summit Lake. From there, buses will transport you to the start line at Echo Lake. You may also have your friends or family take you back down. If you have extra space available in your vehicle, we ask that you fill those seats with additional runners to help get everyone down as quickly and efficiently as possible. If you can help transport runners down the mountain, please let us know on your entry form.
Registration: Registration opens on January 1st and will be limited to the first 450 entries received. Early registration is strongly encouraged, as it allows us to plan ahead for shuttles to bring runners back down the mountain. Registration will close on May 30th, or whenever the 500 person limit has been reached.
Sorry, there will be no race day registration. The 2007 event sold out in March! Please register early. There will not be a waiting list for this event, and unauthorized transfers of entry will not be allowed. Entry fees are $55 through April 30th, and $70 thereafter if space is still available. All entrants will receive a custom Mt. Evans Ascent race heavyweight sweatshirt.
Awards: FINISHERS MEDALS TO ALL FINISHERS! Additionally, awards will be presented to the top three male and female finishers in the age 19 & under category, as well as the top three in all 5 year age groups beginning with 20-24. In addition, a cash prize of $300 will be awarded to the top male and female overall finishers, and $100 to the top M/F masters finishers (age 40 & over). Top Overall & Masters Finishers will not be eligible for awards in their age groups.
Post Race Festivities: Our post race music, food, raffle, and awards presentation will take place at Clear Creek Middle School in Idaho Springs. Clear Creek Middle School is located just 1/4 mile south of I-70 at exit 240 (just south of the US Forest Service offices) on the west side of Hwy 103. This is also a great location to meet prior to the race and carpool to the start. Post race festivities will begin at noon. Awards will be presented no later than 2:00 p.m.
Beneficiaries: A portion of every entry will be donated to Alpine Rescue. They will be providing on-course support during the Mt. Evans Ascent, and volunteer year-round support to the community.
Directions: Echo Lake is located 14 miles from Idaho Springs. From I-70, take exit 240 and turn south on Hwy 103. Drive 14 miles to Echo Lake.
Lodging: There are a number of hotels, bed & breakfasts, and campgrounds in the Idaho Springs area. For more information on lodging, just CLICK HERE.
Refunds & Waiting List: Once accepted, entries will not be refunded for any reason. You may transfer your entry to another runner prior to June 14, 2008 for a $10 processing fee. There will not be a waiting list for this event.
For More Information, please call Darrin at Racing Underground at 303-642-7917
