RACE INFORMATION
General
50 kilometer and 26.2 mile loop in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado. The course follows the “Alpine Loop” jeep roads past the ghost mining towns of Howardsville, Eureka, Animas Forks and Gladstone. High point is California Pass at 12,930 feet!
Start Times
7:00AM 50 Kilometer
8:00AM Marathon
Location
Start / Finish at Memorial Park
Greene & 18th Street
Silverton, CO 81433
Course Summary
Follows Alpine Loop mining road counter-clockwise linking historic mining ghost towns, Howardsville, Eureka, Animas Forks & Gladstone. High point is 12,930 ft atop California Pass. Low point is Silverton at 9,318ft. Total vertical gain is 3,800 for the marathon and 4,100 for the 50k.
Weather
Summer temperatures range from high 30’s to low 80’s. Sudden and violent thunderstorms are common, especially above tree-line. DO NOT attempt this race without adequate warm clothing and rain gear.
Forecast for Silverton, CO
Bib / Shirt Pickup
Friday, August 24
2:00 – 6:00PM
TBA
Aid Station
Six aid stations well-supplied (except aid #6) with food, water & sports drink. It is highly recommended that you carry water with you between aid stations.
Start/Finish – Miles 0/4.9 (Marathon/50k)
Aid Station #1 (Howardsville) – Miles 4/8.9 (Marathon/50k)
Aid Station #2 (Eureka) – Miles 8/12.9 (Marathon/50k)
Aid Station #3 (Animas Forks) – Miles 11/15.9 (Marathon/50k)
Aid Station #4 (California Pass) – Miles 16/20.9 (Marathon/50k)
Aid Station #5 (Gladstone) – Miles 20/24.9 (Marathon/50k)
Aid Station #6 (Niagra) – Miles 24 & 28.9 (Marathon/50k) – WATER ONLY!
Race Perks
Technical fabric race shirt (Men’s & Women’s styles)
Barbecue in Memorial Park at the finish
You’re in Silverton, what else do you want!?!
Awards
Awards will be given to finishers in the marathon if completed in under 10 hours and to the 50k finishers if finished in under 11 hours. Special awards for Men’s/Women’s Overall winners. Awards ceremony around 2PM, Saturday August 25.
REGISTRATION
Entry Fees
50Km: $60 until June 29, $65 until July 27, $70 until August 21, $75 until race day.
Marathon: $55 until June 29, $60 until July 27, $65 until August 21, $70 until race day.
Close registration August 21 at midnight
Registration Options
Online at Ultra Signup
Mail-In Entry
COURSE INFORMATION
Course Maps
View Silverton Alpine Marathon & 50K in a larger map
Elevation Profile
Course Description
Leaving Memorial Park, follow 18th Street to Cement Street, turning left and then running through Silver Lakes campground. Proceed straight on this road until you intersect asphalt road (County Road 2). Turn right on CR 2. . Follow asphalt road for approximately ¾ mile.
Howardsville: (4 miles; +380 feet cumulative climb; overall this section is fairly flat and fast with minimal rocky footing)
At the base of the big asphalt climb, 100 yards after red brick “Powerhouse” on right -side of road, turn right onto narrow bumpy gravel road. DO NOT follow asphalt road up the climb. (**This section differs from years previous). Go straight on rocky gravel road for approximately 2.5 miles to Howardsville aid station. **NOTE: There is one minor stream crossing as part of this new section. You may be able to cross the stream without getting wet feet…or you may not. At this point, you are allowed to go left off course and climb up above the big metal pipe out of which the stream water flows. It is up to each runner to decide how to proceed. Look for the Howardsville aid station before you intersect the big gravel road at mile 4.
Eureka: (7.6 miles; +600 feet cumulative climb; overall this section is flat and fast with smooth gravel footing)
After Howardsville aid station, turn right onto big gravel road (CR 2). Follow main road 3.6 miles to Eureka aid station. Look for aid station on left side of road, shortly after crossing bridge over Animas River before starting big climb.
Animas Forks (11 miles; +1,800 feet cumulative climb; this section is the beginning of the race’s big climb, there are few flat spots)
Proceed straight up on this rocky jeep road. ½ mile before Animas Forks aid station, road forks. Go LEFT!! DO NOT follow road to Engineer and Cinnamon Pass. Look for aid station somewhere in old abandoned town-site of Animas Forks.
California Pass (12,960ft) (16 miles; +3,560 feet cumulative climb; this is the big climb; steep grades near top of climb; watch for sheep in upper valley)
Proceed straight on this even rockier jeep road. Take the right fork at the Placer Gulch intersection. Look for aid station at the very top of California Pass.
Gladstone (19.8 miles; steep rocky downhill section)
After California aid station proceed down rocky gravel road approximately ¾ mile. Take the left fork at Poughkeepsie Gulch intersection. Follow sign that reads “Silverton”. Climb about 400 feet to top of Hurricane Pass (12,400ft). Follow rocky road down steep descent. At Corkscrew Gulch intersection take left fork continuing downhill. Keep going straight down hill to Gladstone aid station. Look for aid station on left side of road about 100 yards after intersection with wide gravel road.
Niagara Gulch (24 miles; smooth gravel road; fastest section)
Proceed straight on wide gravel road (CR 110). Approximately ¾ mile past Silverton Mountain Ski Area (on your left), at base of short steep hill, make an easy right turn onto narrow rocky road, shortly after which will be a very minor (if at all) stream crossing (there is no way to circumnavigate this stream crossing). After following rocky road for 0.9 miles you will be lead back onto main wide gravel road. Follow this road to Niagara Gulch aid station, on right side of road, about 2 miles from finish line.
Finish
Last ¾ mile is asphalt road with some shoulder. Run through the grassy field at Memorial Park to the finish line. Congratulations!
RESULTS
2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004
Course Records:
50 Kilometer
4;26:10 David Buck (2010)
5:43:54 Leah Fein (2011)
Marathon
3:39:32 Karl Meltzer (2004)
4:14:45 Sheena Oyler (2005)
PHOTOS
RACE DAY INFORMATION
Race Day Schedule
Saturday, August 25
7:00AM 50 Kilometer Race Start
8:00AM Marathon Race Start
6:00PM Cutoff
Cut-Offs
The course must be completed within 10 hours for the marathon and 11 hours for the 50 kilometer, to receive an official finish. All official finishers will receive an award. Any runner finishing after the cut-off will be given an “unofficial” finish time but will not be eligible for an award.
You must check out of the California Pass aid station by 2:30pm
You must check out of the Gladstone aid station by 4pm
Race Timing
We will be utilizing a chip timing system at this event to record your time after each loop completed. Results will be posted using “gun time” only. You will be provided with a timing chip attached to the back side of your race bib. Please do not fold the area of your race bib where the timing chip is attached.
Parking
Parking will be available in Silverton.
Camping
There are several places to camp around Silverton.
Lodging
Check out lodging options over at Silverton Special Events
Restaurants
Check out the restaurant options at Silverton Special Events