Aspen Backcountry Marathon and Heavy Half 2023
Utilizing the beautiful trails that surround Aspen, The Aspen Backcountry offers two options, a full or heavy half-marathon, both run almost exclusively on dirt trails. The diversity of terrain, challenging ascents & descents and overall elevation gain will challenge even the most well-trained athletes. With spectacular views of the Elk Mountains above and the city of Aspen below, this is one race you’ll be bragging about for years.
This race will be a limited support race. There will be aid stations, portable toilets at the start/finish, volunteer crews and timers. There is volunteer medical personnel along the course and at aid stations, but there is no guarantee of rescue or medical attention. Each participant is ultimately responsible for their own rescue and preparation for course and weather conditions.
Each year the race route changes direction. The 2023 route will be heading in the clockwise direction, up Sunnyside and down Smuggler. Both races start and end in Rio Grande Park. This is a running race and cut off times are enforced. This is a cupless course please bring your own cup or water bottle. No refunds or exchanges or deferment allowed.
Registration is not open yet but will open here on May 1st, 2023
Participation limit: 250 per race.
Full Marathon $70 ($80 after July 1st) No refunds or exchanges or deferment allowed.
Half Marathon $60 ($70 after July 1st) No refunds or exchanges or deferment allowed.
Start Times: 6:30am (Full Marathon) mass start; 7:30 am (Heavy Half) mass start
Bib/Timing Chip Pick-up: Rio Grande Park, Friday, August 4th from 4:00-6:00pm and on race morning Saturday, August 5th, 1 hour prior to race start at the start line. Advanced registration is required. Day-of-registration makes more work for those involved (which is mostly volunteers), please plan ahead. Please make sure your bib is visible at the start and finish.
Please note that you are required to obtain a CORSAR card for the day of the event. Racers must present their Colorado Outdoor Recreation Search and Rescue (CORSAR) card upon packet pick up. If you possess a Colorado hunting or fishing license it acts as the same. You can purchase a card online at http://dola.colorado.gov/sar/cardPurchase.jsf
You are required to bring your own food, hydration, clothes, sunscreen and equipment to provide for your own safety in summer conditions and travel. The Aspen Backcountry Marathon and Half Marathon will be a cupless course. We recommend that participants use their own hydration system on this backcountry course. This means there will not be any cups provided at the aid stations for drinking. You will need to have your own cup/water bottle.
This is a running race and cut off times are enforced. If you approach an aid station after the cut off time, your race bib will be removed by the course sweep and you will be directed to walk to a location to receive a ride back to the start/finish line. Please train accordingly.
