(Vail)-The Vail Recreation District (VRD) will celebrate the 32nd running of the La Sportiva Vail HillClimb on Sunday, July 6 on Vail Mountain. Named best trail race by Colorado Runner in 2006, the HillClimb will test local, regional and national runners with a 7.5 mile climb from Vail Village to Vail Mountain's summit, a gain of 2,500 vertical feet. The race begins at 8 a.m. in Vail Village on Meadow Drive adjacent to Vail's Mountain Haus and ascends on a gravel trail taking runners to the finish line at Eagle's Nest. The Eagle Bahn Gondola in LionsHead will operate from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. for race-day spectators. The HillClimb is presented by the Vail Mountain Haus and is the second race of the 2008 La Sportiva Vail Mountain Trail Running Series.
Registration is available online at www.active.com, www.vailrec.com or from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 5 at the VRD Administrative Office, 700 South Frontage Road East. Racers should park in the Vail Village parking structure where parking is free for the summer. Day of registration will occur until 7:45 a.m. at the race starting area.
Three-time champion Andy Ames who won the HillClimb in 1995, 1998 and 2007 says a first-time racer of the Vail HillClimb should find a rhythm and gain speed on the flatter sections during the race. Ames' race-day strategy is to go out with the leaders through town and then hang on the best he can after that. "I try to keep my energy going with the grade," said Ames. "There are a lot of parts that ease up (in terms of grade) and you can run pretty fast on those parts. It's one of those courses that are considered a strength course." If Ames makes the trip to Vail this Sunday, he will be among 300 to 400 participants at the starting line.
The five-race series runs June through September and includes distances ranging from a 5k (3.2 miles) to a half marathon (13.2 miles). The race series will continue July 20 when runners will choose to race either a 6.5 mile uphill route with the La Sportiva Berry Picker or the La Sportiva Half Marathon, which is actually longer than a half marathon at just over 14 miles. The Berry Picker also serves as a selection race for the Teva U.S. Mountain Running Team where the top male finisher, the top two female finishers and the top junior male will all earn spots on this year's team. Both events will start at Golden Peak Children's Center. The fourth event, the La Sportiva 10k at 10,000 Feet will be held on Aug. 10 featuring a running race above 9,000 feet with high points above 10,000 feet. Runners will ride the Eagle Bahn Gondola to the race start area. The final race of the series, the La Sportiva Evergold 10k on Sept. 7, will traverse Vail Mountain with and will start at the Golden Peak Children's Center.
Prizes from La Sportiva will be presented to overall and age group winners of each event with series prizes awarded after the final event to runners who compete in at least four events. Last year's series boasted more than 1,100 participants with 25 runners completing at least four races in the series. Raffle prize drawings also will be held at each race awards ceremony featuring products from area merchants and national companies.
Joining series title sponsor La Sportiva, are FirstBank of Vail, Vail's Mountain Haus, SmartWool, Tiga Advertising, Howard Head Sports Medicine Centers, Steadman Hawkins, Joint Juice and Gatorade.
To register or for more information on the La Sportiva Vail Mountain Trail Running Series, including results and course maps, call 479-2280. # # # |
