A Colorado end-of-summer outdoor celebration! Come celebrate the beginning of fall in the mountains by competing in a challenging 55K, heavy half, or full marathon in Colorado! This is an exciting day of festival fun and exploration on the trails near Eagle, Colorado. With the start/finish line right in the heart of Eagle Ranch, friends and family can enjoy themselves while you push yourself in a rugged mountain race backdropped against stunning views and gorgeous scenery. After you finish, you can relax with a beer, hot meal, live music, and more. Racers can choose between three different trail races: a Heavy Half Marathon, Full Marathon, or 55K in Colorado.
Finisher’s mementos will be handed to you as you cross the finish line and awards will be given out at our Awards Ceremony on Saturday evening (details/location TBD). Don’t miss out on a chance to win raffle prizes and socialize with other runners!
The fastest male and female racers to race from the Firebox Aid Station to the Dead Cow Aid Station will receive $100! These cash awards will be presented at the Awards Ceremony.
Men’s and Women’s overall winners of each distance (55K, Marathon, and Heavy Half) will receive comp entries to next year’s races.
Customized cowbell awards will be given to the top three male and female finishers in each race for the following age groups:
- Under 20
- 20-29
- 30-39
- 40-49
- 50-59
- 60+
Racers will also receive customized dog tag finisher awards as they cross the finish line. Awards and mementos will not be mailed after the event.
Thursday:
6:00 pm – Adam Palmer Fund Trivia Night at Color Roasters. Register here.
Friday:
5:00 pm-7:00 pm – Packet Pick Up at Color Roasters breezeway (west side of Color Roasters)
5:00 pm-8:00 pm – Live music at Color Roasters
Saturday:
6:00 am-7:45 am – Packet Pick-Up and race day registration at the start line on Capitol St.
7:00 am – 55K Ultra and Marathon start
8:00 am – Heavy Half start
9:00 am-6:00 pm – Endorphin gym open to all registered participants. Register here.
10:30 am – Cycle Effect bike clinics on Capitol Street. Register here.
11:00 am – Kids “sprint race” on Capitol St. (10 and under). Register at the start/finish area
11:30 am – Heavy Half awards at the start/finish
12:00 pm-6:00 pm Live Music on-stage on Capitol St.
2:00 pm-4:00 pm – Amazing Race
4:00 pm – Marathon/55K Race Awards at start/finish
4:30 pm – Amazing Race Awards at start/finish
Sunday:
6:30 am-7:45 am – Packet Pick-up and race day registration at the start line on Capitol St.
8:00 am – Firebird 50 Mountain Bike Start
8:30 am – Firebird 25 Mountain Bike Start
9:00 am-6:00 pm – Endorphin gym open to all registered participants
10:00 am-1:00 pm – Live music on stage on Capitol St.
11:00 am – Super Strider event (4 years and under). Register at the start/finish area
12:00 pm – School House Aid Cut-Off for 50K
12:00 pm – Firebird 25K Mountain Bike Awards at start/finish
1:30 pm – Firebird 50 Mountain Bike Awards
3:00 pm – Firebird 50 Mountain Bike Final Cut-Off
Course Records
55K Female – Mary Baughman – 5:41:34 (2020)
55K Male – Jeremy Scanlan – 5:20:23 (2021)
Marathon Female – Myriah Blair – 4:00:16 (2020)
Marathon Male – Ethan Kirk – 3:37:12 (2020)
Heavy Half Female – Kim Dobson – 2:02:27 (2018)
Heavy Half Male – Mike Dorr – 2:01:03 (2020)
Are There Accommodations Available?
Our host hotel for this upcoming weekend event is the Quality Inn & Suites Vail Valley. When you call to reserve, please mention that you’re participating in the “Mountain RATS races” to receive the best rate. Rooms will sell out quickly for the event weekend, so be sure to book soon.
Where Can I Park?
Parking will be at the Brush Creek Elementary School parking lot (333 Eagle Ranch Rd, Eagle, CO 81631). It’s a very short walk across the street to the start/finish area.
What Kind of Weather is Expected?
Weather in Eagle can vary. The averages for September are a low of 42F and a high of 73F degrees. So, plan accordingly!
Are Dogs Allowed?
We love dogs! Well-behaved dogs on leashes are welcome at the Start/Finish and aid stations. Unfortunately, we cannot allow dogs on course with their runners for our 55k, marathon, or half marathon in Colorado.
What is Provided at the Aid Stations?
We will have nine aid stations located throughout the 55K course, six for the marathon and four for the half (at approximately five-mile intervals). Aid stations will be stocked with gels, potato chips, peanut butter and jelly rolls, chocolate, bananas, ice water, and sports drink. Aid stations will NOT have aspirin, ibuprofen, or other NSAIDs.
In order to be environmentally friendly and cut down on the amount of trash we produce, we will not have cups at the aid stations. Please carry a water bottle, cup, or hydration pack on the course.
There will be emergency vehicles throughout the event and at aid stations, and all necessary materials to nurse any bumps, cuts, bruises, or blisters will be at the start/finish area. In addition, a certified Emergency Medical Technician will be in attendance.
Can I Go Off Course?
Racers must stay on the designated course at all times. Short-cutting will result in disqualification. If you go off course, you must return to the same point you exited in order to continue.
What About Unforeseeable Circumstances?
In the case of unforeseeable circumstances due to weather or other extenuating circumstances that prevents the safe continuation of the race, race officials may end the race at any given time without a refund of unused portions. This rule will be implemented in the most extreme cases for the safety of the runners or officials during the heavy half, ultra-marathon, and marathon in Colorado.
What is Your Refund/Cancellation Policy?
There will be no entry transfers. If you regrettably need to cancel your registration, please use UltraSignup. Cancellations will result in a credit that can be applied as a registration payment toward any Gemini Adventures event within one year’s time, minus a 15% fee. To cancel your registration, simply login to your account, go to “Registration History,” select “Edit” for the event, and select “Cancel Registration.”
- 30 days or more prior to the event: 85% credit of registration fee (excluding UltraSignup fees).
- Less than 30 days prior to the event: No refunds or credit given.
Credits may be applied to any future Gemini Adventures race and will be valid for 12 months.
Registered runners may also switch between distances. No refunds or credit will be given for dropping down in distance. If you would like to increase your distance, the added current pricing of the longer distance will be charged (excluding Ultrasignup fees).