COLLEGIATE PEAKS TRAIL RUN INFORMATION

COURSE                                               

Beginning and ending near the Arkansas River in Buena Vista, the course primarily follows single-track and Jeep trails along part of the old, historic Midland Railroad as well as through other scenic areas north and east of town. Encompassing great scenery and spectacular views, much of the course runs through lands managed by the National Forest Service and/or Bureau of Land Management. Due to trail changes and/or closures instituted by those agencies, participants in 2004 were the first to enjoy a slightly different course from the one run for the previous number of years. Truly “new and improved”, the current course retains most of the previous course along with great new added segments! 25-miler’s do the loop once (clockwise) and the 50-miler’s do it twice (the second time around, counterclockwise). Very much an up-and-down course, over 2,500 feet in elevation gain / drop is delivered in each loop!

START/FINISH

Buena Vista Community Center. At the stoplight (yes, we still have only one), turn east off of hwy 24 onto Main Street. Head ½ mile and look for the community center on your right – there is a playground, picnic area, and pay showers.

REGISTRATION

Registrations will close on or before 6:30pm Friday, April 27, 2012. Registrations may be accepted by mail through Thursday, April 26, 2012. Registration may (read, might) be accepted in person at the Community Center on Friday, April 27, 2012 from 4:30pm-6:30pm. However, space is extremely limited, registration may close at anytime – so register early (and, fee’s do increase after March 15, 2012) !  

FEES FOR 2012 ARE AS FOLLOWS - Select to Print 2012 CPTR Fees

Fees are non-refundable and substitutions are not permitted.

PRE-RACE MEAL

Come and CARBO-LOAD with your friends at the pre-race All You Can Eat Pasta Buffet meal Friday night April 27, 2012 from 4:30-7:00 p.m. at the Community Center - served with a variety of sauces along with salad, drinks (ice tea, water, lemonade), and desert;  ‘low carb' / protein fare will also be available. Tickets are $12.50 for entrants making payment at time of registration fees – with all other tickets priced at $14.00 (including at the door).

SHIRTS

A unique long sleeve shirt is included with your entry fee (it’s a great, technical/wicking shirt – perfect for all kinds of conditions, from early morning Spring chills to warming sunny trails! ).

PACKET & NUMBER PICK-UP

At the Community Center on Friday April 27, 2012 from 4:30-7:00 p.m. or on Race Day Saturday April 28, 2012 from 5:30-6:10 a.m.

PRE-RACE WELCOME / ORIENTATION

A pre-race meeting will be held Friday April 27 at 7:00 p.m. at the Community Center. In addition to the traditional welcoming to participants and their families & friends, this is a time for going over final reminders, review of course descriptions/conditions, and the fielding of any questions you may have. These meetings are both fun and informational – we look forward to seeing you all!

DISTANCE & TIME

The course is an accurate 25 miles in each direction. The 50-miler’s must finish the first loop by 12:15pm (5 ¾ hours running time) in order to be allowed to continue. Total time allowed for the 50-miler’s is 12 hours (should weather or other events necessitate changes to final aid station placements, intermediate aid-station cut-off times may be altered – with any such changes made available by Friday April 27, 2012). 50-miler’s are allowed to “drop out” at the turnaround and become 25-mile runners.

COURSE MARKINGS

Our practice is to provide a course marked "by runners for runners".  Generally we use a combination of the following primary materials - flagging (usually orange), red wire flags, and flour.  A few things to keep in mind - Flagging is primary course marking;  all turns will be CLEARLY marked;  so, if you get to what looks like an intersection, do not make a turn unless is is CLEARLY marked to do so - otherwise, proceed straight ahead;  turns are generally marked "on the inside"  of the turn you're making (e.g. for right turns, most markings on your right side - and vice versa); the red wire flags (stuck into the ground) are often used for this "inside" marking;  flour will also be used "inside" but may also be on the outside - but in all cases will normally be in the form of arrows.

While this gives you an overview of our general course marking practices, you should plan to attend the pre-race meeting for updates to these practices as well as to any possible change or addition to course marking materials. 

AID STATIONS

 There are five aid stations on the course – located at roughly 4-6 mile intervals (see "Cutoff Times" below for all aid station distances). There is also an aid station at the halfway point specifically for the 50-milers.  At a minimum, each aid station is stocked with water, energy drink (Hammer Nutrition's HEED), pretzels, potato chips, cookies, M&Ms, and bananas. Also, “defizzed”, caffeinated cola (Coke or Pepsi) is available for the 50-milers on the second loop.

In respect for the beautiful country that you will be passing through (and in deference to our agreement with the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management), please endeavor to leave no litter anywhere other than in clearly indicated trash receptacles (no, sorry, a tree stump doesn't count). Trashcans will be provided at each aid station. Please discard all trash (cups, wrappers, etc…) before continuing ahead on the course. If you decide to continue onward taking food or drink with you, and/or are carrying your own supplies, please hold onto your trash until you reach the next aid station.

Each aid station is supplied with minor first aid kits for runner’s (you know, the important stuff like Vaseline, hydrogen peroxide, duct tape,…….). In case of injury or emergency, there is coordinated communication amongst aid stations and centralized personnel at the community center. If you suffer injury, head to the nearest aid station. If that is not possible, please sit tight and ask a passing runner to alert race personnel as to your location and need. Please do not try to exit course. 50-milers are tracked / monitored on their second loop from aid station to aid station – and course is swept in conjunction with each cutoff (see Race Day Info for those times).  While we hope that all starters do finish, most of the course is fairly readily accessible - allowing for assistance off the course as needed.

CUTOFF TIMES

At cutoff times, aid stations will closed and official race support discontinued for that corresponding section of the course;  while cutoff times are designed primarily with the 50-milers in mind, information is provided below from perspective of the 25-milers as well (just in case someone is concerned or simply wondering…).

THE RACE RULES

While perhaps a bit “icky”, there are some rules we need to note – rules intended to ensure a safe, beneficial, and enjoyable experience for everyone. In general, it is our intent that all runners operate under their own efforts – without outside aid (other than that provided by race volunteers  through the official aid stations).

So, with that said, crews, bicycles, pacers, supply “stashing”, ‘mechanical’ assistance (e.g. trekking poles,…), and other forms of assistance are strictly prohibited (see one exception below). There are no provisions for drop bags via aid stations on the course.  We do advise all runners to carry extra food, water, and warm clothing. While this is the ‘Banana Belt’, conditions on Race Day can be – and often are – “iffy” and ever-changing. Further, while even the race director loves nothing better than running our local trails with his dogs, it is the case that dogs (and all pets) are strictly prohibited from the race(don’t worry, they’ll be excited to see you at the finish line).

Violations of these rules may be cause for a respective runner being DQ’d. Determinations made by race personnel are final.

Note: One notable exception to prohibitions against aid/assistance is respective to the 50-milers. 50-milers may take assistance at the halfway/turnaround point – where they may access their own drop bags, receive help in re-supplying, changing clothes, etc… We do ask that access to cars be made before making the official turn (see Parking and Finish/Turnaround, below).

STARTING LINE

Each runner must be at the starting line by 6:15am wearing their race number. The race will start promptly at 6:30am.

NUMBERS

Numbers must be pinned and clearly visible/readable on the front of each runner in order to allow for easy identification by race volunteers - and in order for you to avoid potentially being slowed down by the identification process (and, also, for runner photos - see further below..).

Note: "bandit" runners are not welcome at this race.

FINISH/TURNAROUND

To finish, runners simply cross the finish line pausing just long enough to collect finish medallion and for volunteers to record time.  50 milers turning around for the second loop must also cross the line and will be directed by volunteers around a specific stantion.  We ask that if you want to access your cars or have other needs at this point (bathroom break, etc..), that you step off the course PRIOR TO making the turn.  This is requested for two reasons - 1)  It helps avoid interruptions in runner traffic (as per how we have the turnaround area designed) and 2) It very much helps our volunteers who will begin tracking you for safety reasons on your second loop.

POST-RACE MEAL

Post-race meals, included in your base entry fee, can be obtained at the Community Center kitchen by presenting your race number.  These meals normally include a submarine sandwich or wrap, choice of chips, and a drink (soda or water).  Also, for those of you finishing before lunches are available and / or for those you not quite ready for your meal, we usually have an assortment of other snacks and drinks available (e.g. PB&J sandwich squares, apple wedges, ice water, energy drink, etc....).  Signs and directions will be provided - but all food and drink will expectedly be inside the community center.  Please note, as we are of limited resources, all food and drink is provided solely for the runners. 

SHOWERS

Hot pay-showers are available at the Community Center.  Showers only take quarters.   As there are no change machines in or near the Community Center, please bring a supply if you think you might want to take advantage of these.  

AWARDS & EXTRAS

Each finisher will receive an engraved finishing medal and post-race refreshments. There will be awards for overall male and female winners as well as ribbons for age group winners (age groups are in even 10yr divisions). Awards ceremony  will begin at 11:30 - and will continue on a "rolling basis" throughout the balance of the day.

  RUNNER PHOTO'S!!!!

We are very excited to announce that runner photographs will be available in 2012 - to be made possible through our upcoming partnering with SkiPix, a Colorado based sports photography company.  Don't let the name fool you, they have lots of experience with runners and running events as well as skiing.  More information will be available on race weekend, but we just wanted to give an early head's up that folks will have the opportunity to purchase commerative photos of runners taken from locations throughout the course (and remember, this is another REALLY GOOD reason to wear your race numbers where we can see them!!). 

SPONSOR / HOST

The Buena Vista Optimist Club is happy and proud to sponsor and host the Collegiate Peaks Trail Run! In addition to being a wonderful and fun community event, this event serves as a vital fundraiser for the Buena Vista Optimist Club. An affiliate of Optimist International, the Buena Vista Optimist Club’s primary focus is upon aiding, assisting, and encouraging the youth in our community.

VOLUNTEERS / VOLUNTEERING

As this is a fundraiser for it’s many local charitable contributions and endeavors, many Buena Vista Optimist Club members volunteer many hours both on Race Day as well as in the many weeks and months of preparation leading up to the big day. However, the race also relies on the help and support of many individuals and groups from throughout the community. With all of that said, it remains the case that there’s almost always some ways that additional folks can help out – particularly on Race Day. So, we would love to hear from anyone thinking of coming to town to support their runner who would like to stay busy / get involved on Race Day. (Contact Us).

 This event is sanctioned by the USA Track and Field

This website was created by members of the Buena Vista Optimist Club of Buena Vista, CO. Mike Duiven is the webmaster.