Trail racing season continues in Vail, Colorado

News from ATRA corporate member Vail Recreation District.

The La Sportiva Vail Mountain Trail Running Series continues with the Summer Solstice 5K Run/Walk, 10K and Free Kid’s Fun Run this Saturday.

(Beaver Creek, Colo.)–The Vail Recreation District’s 2015 La Sportiva Vail Mountain Trail Running Series continues this week with the La Sportiva Summer Solstice Trail Run on Saturday featuring a 5k walk/run, a 10k run and a kid’s fun run on Beaver Creek Mountain. The Summer Solstice will benefit the Vail Valley Charitable Fund (VVCF) with racers enjoying complimentary lunch from The Dusty Boot and music by Bert Fonte. Festivities begin at 9:30 a.m on Saturday, June 20. with the Kid’s Fun Run, followed by the FirstBank of Vail 5k and the Beck Building Company 10k at 10 a.m. This is the second race in the seven race trail running race series, which is presented by Anthem BlueCross BlueShield.

Proceeds from the Summer Solstice race benefit the VVCF, a local nonprofit organization founded in 1996 that provides financial assistance to residents of Eagle County who are experiencing a medical crisis. According to Michelle Maloney, Vail Valley Charitable Fund executive director, the group raised and distributed more than $400,000 to locals in need last year and the trail run is important to its success. “I am really looking forward to the La Sportiva Trail Run this Saturday. It is a great event with beautiful scenery, great music and lunch provided by Dusty Boot,” said Maloney. “This race is a great example of our community coming together to help locals in need. Many thanks to The Vail Recreation Department and the Beaver Creek Resort Company for your partnership in this event. Come out and enjoy the beauty of our area and help us raise money for Eagle County Locals that are experiencing financial stress due to a medical emergency.”

Day-of registration for the event begins at 8 a.m. at Creekside Park in Beaver Creek Village. Entry fees are $37 in advance and $47 on race day with a portion of proceeds benefiting the VVCF. The kid’s fun run is free and for children 12 years and younger.  Bib pickup will also be available from 3 to 6 p.m. on Friday at Haute Route Gear and Apparel, located in the “Pazzo’s” building in Avon. The 10k is a series event. Participants of the 5k or Kid’s Fun Run do not accrue points in the La Sportiva Vail Mountain Trail Running Series.

Free parking for the Summer Solstice is available at the base of Beaver Creek Mountain in the Villa Montane and Ford Hall parking garages on a first-come, first-served basis. Additional parking is available at the Elk and Bear Lots at the base lots with free shuttle transportation to Beaver Creek Village. The race begins and ends in Creekside Park and racers will run on single track and cat track trails including Beaver Creek Village Trail, Aspen Glade, Lost Buck Spur and Corkscrew. The 5k route gains 970 feet in elevation while the 10k gains 1,600 feet in elevation. There is one aid station on the 5k course and two aid stations on the 10k course. Sponsors of the on-course aid stations are Brill Insurance Agency and Colorado Mountain Medical with start and finish refreshments sponsored by East West Resorts.

Prizes will be presented to the top three 5k juniors, open and masters. La Sportiva also will provide winners of the 10k categories with a pair of mountain running shoes of their choice. Raffle prize drawings also will be held at each race awards ceremony featuring products from area merchants and national companies.

Following the Summer Solstice, the series will continue at 8 a.m. on Sunday, July 5 featuring the 39th running of the Vail HillClimb. The HillClimb will take runners from the base of Vail Mountain to Eagle’s Nest for 7.5 miles of uphill running. Then, at 8 a.m. on Sunday, July 19, runners will be challenged during the Vail Half Marathon where runners will compete on a demanding 13.1 mile run on Vail Mountain. Following the Vail Half Marathon, beginning at 8 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 2, the Berry Picker 5k trail run will take participants on an intense 3.1 mile climb from the base of Vail Mountain in Lionshead to Eagle’s Nest at the top of Vail Mountain. Runners will then enjoy spectacular views and trail running during the 5k and 10k@10,000 Feet, which takes place at 9 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 23 at the top of Vail Mountain with the majority of the race above 10,000 feet in elevation. The final race of the season, the EverGold 5k and 11k is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 13 and will feature single and double track trails on Vail Mountain showcasing Vail’s stunning fall foliage. A full listing and details are available by going to www.vailrec.com/sports/trail-running-racing.

Joining 2015 series title sponsor La Sportiva and presenting sponsor Anthem BlueCross Blue Shield are individual race sponsors TIGA Advertising, The Dusty Boot, Vail Valley Charitable Fund, FirstBank of Vail, Haute Route Gear & Apparel, Howard Head Sports Medicine and Vail’s Mountain Haus. Partners also include Sports Authority, SmartWool, Vail Resorts, Beaver Creek Resort Company, The Steadman Clinic, Steadman Philippon Research Institute, Central Rockies Mortgage, Northside Coffee and Kitchen, Vail Mountain Coffee and Tea, Kind Design, AmericInn, Gatorade, Honey Stinger, KZYR 97.7, Optic Nerve, Skratch Labs and Camelbak. Sponsors joining for the Summer Solstice include the Vail Daily, Beck Building Company, TV8, Brill Insurance Agency and Xerox High Country Copiers.

Volunteers are needed at each race and will receive a T-shirt and other items for their help.

For more information or to become a race series sponsor, call the VRD Sports Department at 970-479-2280 or go to www.vailrec.com/sports/trail-running-racing.