(Vail)-The La Sportiva Vail Mountain Trail Running series continues Sunday (7-20) with two oxygen-depriving choices for racers, the 4.3 mile Berry Picker or 14.5 mile Vail Half Marathon. Both races start at 8 a.m. at the Gold Peak Children's Center and are scoring races in the series. Additionally, the Berry Picker is serving as the final selection race for this year's Teva U.S. Mountain Running Team. The top U.S. man, top two U.S. women and top U.S. male junior will earn a spot on the team. "We've blended two very different races to attract both short-distance uphill specialists and athletes who prefer a longer, more rolling course," said Rabinowitz. "Expect a very competitive field as athletes vie for a coveted spot on the team, but don't let this deter you from entering either race if you don't rank yourself among the elite. We encourage athletes of all ages and ability levels to compete," said Vail Recreation District Sports Director Joel Rabinowitz.
The Eagle Bahn Gondola in LionsHead will operate from 8 to 9 a.m. for race-day spectators. Racers should park in the Vail Village parking structure where parking is free for the summer Registration is available online at www.active.com and www.vailrec.com. Day of registration will occur at the race starting area until 7:45 a.m. Photos of the race series are being taken by Scott McClarrinon and are available by going to www.vailrec.com or www.mcclarrinonphotography.com.
The route for the 4.3 mile Berry Picker starts at an elevation of 8,238 feet and ascends to 10,346 feet to finish at the top of Eagle's Nest. The average grade is 12 percent on single track trails and double-wide gravel paths. There will be one aid station at mile three. Runners of the Vail Half Marathon will test themselves on a course that's just over the half marathon distance with an average grade of 7 percent. The half marathon boasts 4,020 feet climb up roads on Vail Mountain with a high point on the course at 11,653 feet. Aid stations along the route will be at miles three, six, nine, 11 and 13 providing water and Gatorade Endurance Formula. Courses will be monitored by Search and Rescue and Vail Mountain Ski Patrol who will be on site to insure the safety of the runners. Runners of the half marathon will have one hour to reach the first aid station at mile three and then must reach the aid station at mile 9 within three hours.
The fourth race of the series, the La Sportiva 10k at 10,000 Feet, will be held on Aug. 10 where the entire race will be run 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 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.
The race series is a Vail Recreation District (VRD) program. The VRD is an equal service provider and operates under special permission from the White River National Forest.
To register or for more information on the La Sportiva Vail Mountain Trail Running Series, including results and course maps, click here or call 479-2280. # # # |
