The 10 toughest Colorado ultra marathons
In this guide, we offer a selection of Colorado’s most formidable ultra challenges.
The Hardrock 100 Endurance Run attracts participants from across the world. The 100.5 mile run spans 13 major passes and culminates with finishers kissing the ‘Hardrock’.
Similarly famous, the Leadville Trail 100 Run involves two climbs to the highest point Hope Pass at 12,620 feet.
The Ouray 100 in San Juan is regarded as one of the hardest ultras in existence, taking in 40,000 feet of elevation of gain over the course. Another gruelling option is The Great Divide Ultra run over Mueller State Park’s meadows and granite rocks with breathtaking views of the mountains. It also features a Dark Divide Night run.
The High Lonesome 100 is one of the newer races on the ultra-calendar, run across the Sawatch Range, home to eight of the highest peaks in the Rocky Mountains. Another more recent racing fixture is The Summit 200, taking in a 200-mile loop around Summit County.
For its part, the Front Range Ultra Dayze offers a festival of ultra-running in Loveland, including free camping, while the Ol' College Try 24 Hour Ultra offers an entire day’s worth of endurance running in Denver.
The Weld Your Mettle Ultra Marathon is claimed as Weld County's first ultra marathon, held on the Poudre River Trail connecting Windsor to Greeley. Another top scenic tip for runners is the 24 Hours of Palmer Lake race.
For advice on these and all other major Colorado ultra runs, contact ultra marathon coach Maximum Mileage Coaching today for optimised ultra running tips.
