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Dynafit Vail Trail Running Series

Scenic Races in and around Vail, Colorado

Colorado's most iconic trail running series, the Dynafit Vail Trail Running Race Series takes runners up trails, over mountains, through forests and over streams in and around Vail. The staff of the Vail Recreation District continues to create one of the best trail running experiences every year.

Expect well-marked routes, aid stations, experienced volunteers, and courses that are challenging for the elites and enjoyed by the beginner trail runner. Oh yeah - we also have Northside Kitchen donuts at the end of every race!

Shorten your bucket list and register for the entire series or choose from individual races! 

Online Registration | Registration Form

2024 Dynafit Trail Running Series Schedule* 

Race #1: Saturday, May 18: Dynafit Boneyard Boogie 13K and 5K, presented by Eagle Outside | 9 a.m. in Eagle, Colorado

Race #2: Saturday, June 22: Dynafit Beaver Creek Summer Solstice 10K and 5K, benefitting Vail Valley Charitable Fund | 9 a.m. in Beaver Creek, Colorado

Race #3: Saturday, July 6: Dynafit Vail HillClimb, presented by Vail's Mountain Haus | 7 a.m. in Vail, Colorado

Race #4: Saturday, July 20: Dynafit 10K@10,000' and 5K@10,000' | 8 a.m. in Vail, Colorado

Race #5: Saturday, August 3: Dynafit Berry Picker | 8 a.m. in Vail, Colorado

Race #6: Saturday, August 17: Dynafit Arrowhead Half Marathon and 5K, presented by Elevated Dental | 7 a.m. at Arrowhead

Race #7: Saturday, Sept 14: Dynafit Meadowgold 10K and 5K, presented by Town of Minturn | 9 a.m. at Meadow Mountain, Minturn, Colorado

 *Times, dates and courses are subject to change. 

A joyful runner in a patriotic outfit is gesturing peace signs while participants race on a dirt path.
Aid Stations 

Each race in the series will have strategically placed aid stations. Expect two to three aid stations in all races.

Thanks to Skratch Labs, there will be Skratch Hydration Sport Drink and Skratch Energy Chews at Aid Stations to give you the electrolytes and energy it needs to finish strong.

Thanks to BAR-U-EAT, there will be BAR Bites at Aid Stations to give your body the carbohydrates needed to power your perforance. These BARS will also be available at the finish to give your body some healthy nutrients to help it recover!

The Dynafit Trail Running Series is a papercup-less race series. Please keep this in mind when preparing for the race. We highly encourage you to bring your own hydration device or reusable cups. Please do not litter. Any participant caught littering will be disqualified.

Mileage Markers And Course Directions 

Course maps can be viewed on our website prior to arriving on race day.  

The courses are well-marked and signed with mileage markers every mile. Course arrows and directions are bold and are posted at every intersection. We are proud to state that a participant in our series has not challenged the results due to course confusion, getting lost or misdirected in the 24 years of the series. 

Please note: GPS data is different from one device to another. If you are comfortable with your devices' accuracy, please default to your own devices' mileage when participating in our races.

Post-Race Info 

Now that the hard part is over, it's time to enjoy and celebrate victory! Each race finish area will be stocked with racer refuel; nutrients to help you recover from your efforts. Water and Skratch will also be supplied. Participants receive a custom t-shirt with a unique design for each race.

The finish area will also be the site of our awards ceremony. We will award the top three finishers in each of the seven age groups for male and female divisions. If you raced in the 5K, we award the top three junior, open, and masters in each of the male and female divisions.

We're not done yet...every registered racer will also be entered into our post-race prize give-away. Expect items from our long list of sponsors to be given out after every race. 

A runner with a bib number 1555 raises fists in victory on a sunny trail amidst grassy fields and hills.
Refund Policy 

Refund Policy:

The Vail Recreation District's Dynafit Vail Trail Running Series generally operates under a no refund policy. Once an entry fee has been paid, refunds will not be issued, although extenuating circumstances will be considered.

Entry Fee Deferral:

We understand that plans can change, and we offer a flexible deferral option. If you need to change your race, we can defer your entry fee to one of our other races of equal cost within the same calendar year, free of charge.

How to Request a Deferral:

To defer your entry fee to another race, please follow these steps:

  1. Contact Us: Reach out to sports@vailrec.com or call 970-479-2280
  2. Select Another Race: Let us know which race in the Dynafit Vail Trail Running Series you would like to participate in instead.
  3. Adjustment: We will make the necessary adjustments to transfer your entry fee to the selected race.

Important Notes:

  • Timing: Requests for deferral must be made prior to the race for which you are originally registered.
  • Equal Cost: The deferral option is only available for races that are of equal cost. If the race you wish to defer to has a higher entry fee, you will be responsible for the difference.
  • Same Calendar Year: The deferral must be used within the same calendar year as the original race registration.
Weather Policy 

Vail Recreation District Trail Running Series Weather and Refund Policy

Below are the guidelines for how VRD will conduct races in the event of challenging weather. Our primary considerations are the safety of racers, race support staff, race visitors and potential damage to the race venue (trails and infield).

Any decisions regarding cancelling, postponing or altering race start times, length of race, etc. will be made jointly by the VRD Sport’s team and the land manager. Often this decision cannot be made until the day of the race due to the unpredictable and emergent nature of wet or stormy weather.  That said, we will do our best to make the call to change venue or reschedule with as much notice as possible.

VRD will make every attempt to notify the racing population via emails, Facebook, and website updates as soon as possible.

VRD Weather Guidelines:

  • Races are held on their scheduled dates and times unless the racecourse or weather on the day of the race is deemed un-runnable and/or dangerous. 
  • The presence of forest fires and poor air quality in and around the race location may cause the postponement or cancellation of an event.  In deciding whether to cancel or postpone an event due to smoke from forest fires VRD shall consider the Eagle County Air Quality Guidelines as part of its decision-making process.
  • VRD will have the option to delay the start of the race from the published times if the weather has created dangerous conditions. VRD may also reschedule the race for a later date or move the race to a different venue.
  • Courses and or lap lengths may be altered or shortened because of weather conditions.
  • All racing will stop immediately in the presence of lightning within 8 miles. Course marshals will direct racers off course where they can seek shelter in vehicles or buildings.
  • Restarting a race that has been stopped (and course cleared) due to lightning or other emergency:  Depending on schedule and number of finishers who have completed the course, the race may be declared over. If time permits, racers may be directed to re-stage at the start line and an abbreviated race will be conducted or race may be rescheduled or cancelled.

Race Fees:

  • If a race venue is moved or a race is re-scheduled race fees will automatically be applied to the moved or re-scheduled race.
  • If a race is cancelled and cannot be rescheduled due to weather conditions, fees will not be refunded.

Series Race points:

  • If a race is cancelled (not able to be moved or rescheduled):
    • No individual points will be awarded, and race will not be included in the season overall individual point standings.  Runners will still have a “drop race” available from the remaining races.
  • If a race is partially completed (some categories or race lengths complete their race and others do not):
    • Individual points will only be awarded and counted in the categories that completed their race.
Dog Policy 

Due to our permits with land owners and for the safety of all runners, spectators, volunteers and staff, dogs are not allowed on course during the Dynafit Vail Trail Running Races. 

Race Cost 

Individual Rates 6K-12K: $38 pre-registration, $45 week-of registration, $55 day-of registration
Individual Rates 5K: $30 pre-registration, $36 week-of registration, $45 day-of registration
Individual Rates Half Marathon: $50 pre-registration, $58 week-of registration, $70 day-of registration

Student Rates (ages 13-17): $25 pre-registration, $30 week-of registration, $37 day-of registration
5K Series: $130
Entire Race Series: $245

Awards 

Awards, 6K - Half Marathon: Prizes will be awarded to the top 3 males and females in the following age groups 19 and under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70 and Over

Awards 5K: Prizes will be awarded to the top 3 males and females in the following age groups,  19 and under,  20-39,  40-59, 60+

Overall Series Champions will be recognized at the last race for the longer series races this will be scored the best 5 out of 7 races.  For the 5K series this will be scored the best 3 out of 5 races.

A runner celebrates at a finish line under a banner, with onlookers and nature in the background.
Trail Maintenance 

We feel we are extremely lucky to live in an area surrounded by open space and trails please consider volunteering some time doing trail maintenance with one of the local groups like Vail Valley Mountain Trail Alliance .
 

Two trail runners racing outdoors with scenic mountain background.

 

Volunteers 

We couldn't put on this series without great volunteers.  If you are interested in volunteering at a race please contact us at wsmith@vailrec.com or 970-479-2280.

 The VRD is an equal opportunity service provider and operates under special permission from the White River National Forest and Bureau of Land Management.

A Huge Thanks To All Of Our Amazing Sponsors For The 2024 Dynafit Vail Trail Running Series!

The VRD's Vail Trail Running Series is yours thanks to our title sponsor Dynafit and our presenting series sponsor, Bloch and Chapleau. Individual race sponsors include Town of EagleTown of MinturnElevated DentalEast West Hospitality and Mountain Haus. Partners also include BAR-U-EATCapitol Public HouseFirstBankSteadman ClinicCentral Rockies MortgageJaunt Media CollectiveYetiMountain Time LagerSkratch LabsNorthsideLululemonOptic NerveOutdoor TechVail HoneywagonVail Resorts, Arrowhead, Best Day BrewingVail Mountain Coffee & Tea CoWest Vail Liquor MartKahtoolaBlack DiamondCiele Athletics and Alpine Wine & Spirits.

A collection of various company logos, likely sponsors or partners, possibly related to outdoor activities or local businesses.

 

Trail Running Series Recognized By American Trail Running Association

Logo indicating meeting the American Trail Running Association's event standards with a runner image.

VRD's Vail Trail Running Series was recently named by the American Trail Running Association as Race Standards Certified for exceeding measurements in safety, well-marked courses, timely results and awards, environmental responsibility and excellent communication with racers prior to the event.

Runners participating in a trail race with trees in the background.