Trail Runner’s Shine at GoPro Mountain Games in Colorado

The GoPro Mountain Games are an American Trail Running Association double-track corporate member. Photos by Peter Maksimow.

The Vail Valley Foundation hosted the 18th annual GoPro Mountain Games this June 6-9, 2019 in Vail, CO this past (long) weekend. The games consisted of over 30 events across more than 12 sport disciplines, including trail running, kayaking, mountain biking, road biking, slacklining, and rock climbing. This year’s event drew over 3,100 athletes and over 80,000 spectators. Event organizers expect a 6.2 million dollar economic impact for the Town of Vail and more than 1 billion total media impressions from social media, television, print and online media sources.

The events at the GoPro Mountain Games change from year to year, but the inclusion of trail running races has been a mainstay in the schedule. This year’s trail races offered fun opportunities for recreational weekend warriors and families as well as elite competitive divisions. Below are a recap and results from each of this year’s trail running events:

Thursday, June 6Rocky Dog Trail Run – The Rocky Dog Trail Run took place on opening day of the Games. Participants ran with their dogs on leash for 5 kilometers. The course included dirt road and single-track trails in the Vail Ski Resort. Podium finishers (dogs included) are listed below.

Women:

  1. Charlie – Brook Kish, 43, Evergreen, CO
  2. Buddy – Laureta Boychuk, 30, Nelson BC, Canada
  3. Heehaw – Gretchen Reeves, 47, Edwards, CO

Men:

  1. Winston – Anthony Kunkel, 27, Durango, CO
  2. Rocky – Taylor Shelden, 32, Breckenridge, CO
  3. Ralph – Josiah Middaugh, 40, Vail, CO

For complete results click here.

Friday, June 7Wild Tonic Après 5K – This 5K trail race took place Friday evening at 5:30 P.M. and kicked off the weekend events. Runners followed the same course as the Rocky Dog Trail Run.

Men:

  1. Anthony Kunkel, 27, Durango, CO
  2. Kevin Conlon, 17, Fort Collins, CO
  3. Josiah Middaugh, 40, Vail, CO

Women:

  1. Lindsey Whitton, 13, Evergreen, CO
  2. Nina English, 16, Grand Junction, CO
  3. Magdelena Gembal, 25, Vail, CO

For complete results click here.

Saturday, June 8Nature Valley Mountain Mud Run – This event was a short lap-style race including two mud pits and many obstacles. It was a fun and kid-friendly event.

Sunday, June 9Pro Trek Smart 10K Spring Runoff – This event drew several of the nation’s top trail runners, including Joseph Gray, Andy Wacker, Josh Eberly, Anthony Kunkel and Tara Richardson. The course consisted of many short climbs and descents on single-track trail. The majority of the race was at an elevation of approximately 9,000 feet. This event was ideal for amateurs and pros alike looking to test climbing skills and speed at high altitude.

Prior to the race, our executive director Nancy Hobbs wrote about how to do hill training for an event like this.

Women:

  1. Tara Richardson (pictured top of page), 27, Glenwood Springs, CO
  2. Michelle Hiland, 31, Estes Park, CO
  3. Whitney Barrett-Kaucher, 37, Golden, CO

Men:

  1. Joseph Gray (pictured above), 35, Colorado Springs, CO
  2. Andy Wacker, 30, Boulder, CO
  3. Joseph Demoor, 28, Carbondale, CO

For complete results click here.

Sunday, June 9Pepi’s Face-Off – This uphill/downhill dash capped off the games GMC Ultimate Mountain Challenge Sunday afternoon . Racers were timed for 30 minutes as they ran up and down Vail Ski Resort’s Pepi’s Face ski hill. The hill is approximately ¼ mile with 250 feet of elevation gain. After reaching the top of the hill, runners descended on single-track and continued up and down the hill until a horn was blown at 30 minutes. Racers were allowed to complete their final loop if it was started before the 30-minute mark.

Hooker Lowe, Vail mountain runner and longtime participant in the GoPro Mountain Games, said of Pepi’s Face-Off, “You can see all the athletes climbing up Pepi’s Face and only loose sight of them for a minute. Then when they come into view you can see their downhill stride! It makes you want to do it!”.

Men:

  1. Andy Wacker (pictured above), 30, Boulder, CO (6 Loops)
  2. Josiah Middaugh, 40, Vail, CO
  3. Sullivan Middaugh,15, Vail, CO

Women:

  1. Tara Richardson, 27, Glenwood Springs, CO (5 Loops)
  2. Amy Reynolds, 42, Edwards, CO
  3. Jasmine Rodenburg, 27, Boulder, CO

Special recognition to Wacker and Richardson who made the podium at both of Sunday’s trail running events, The Pro Trek 10K Spring Runoff and Pepi’s Face-off.

For complete results click here.

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