DYNAFIT VAIL HILLCLIMB (& DOWN)
SATURDAY, JULY 4 | VAIL MOUNTAIN
On Saturday, we continue the 2020 Dynafit Vail Trail Running Series with the Vail HillClimb presented by Vail’s Mountain Haus! The trail running series, presented by Bloch & Chapleau Attorneys at Law and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, will challenge runners with over 50 miles of scenic and rewarding climbs, descents and rolling countryside for a total elevation gain of 16,475 feet over seven events throughout the summer.
RACE DETAILS
HillClimb racers traditionally only go up Vail Mountain, but for 2020 they are also going back down! The 2020 route will ascend Vail Mountain approximately 1,700 vertical feet over 4.5 miles. Runners will then return to the base area with a gradual descent to the finish at Golden Peak. The 2020 route will cover approximately 10 miles.
In order to adhere to Eagle County gathering size limits, the race starts will be divided into waves according to racer categories. View the race wave start list. The first wave of racers will begin at 7 a.m. Please stay in your assigned wave, or if you would like to be moved to a different wave, communicate with race staff ahead of time by calling 970-479-2280.
Please do not arrive at the start prior to your wave’s designated arrival time.
START/FINISH MAP GARMIN COURSE MAP
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This year’s race route will be approximately 10 miles in total.
The race will begin on Gore Creek Drive near Checkpoint Charlie in the heart of Vail Village and finish at Golden Peak base area. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, there will be no gondola access for spectators this year.
Runners will ascend Gitalong Road for approximately 1,700 vertical feet over 4.5 miles before beginning a gradual descent on Mill Creek Road to the finish at Golden Peak.
View a Garmin course map here.
REGISTRATION/BIB PICKUP
Friday Registration and Bib Pickup:
Racers can pick up their race numbers or register ahead of time on Friday, July 3 from 3 to 6 p.m. at Vail’s Mountain Haus, adjacent to the covered bridge in Vail Village.
Day-of bib pickup will also be available in the same location on Saturday morning. Please refer to the wave start/arrival time to determine when you can pick up your bib on race day.
VAIL RESORTS RELEASE OF LIABILITY FORM
All racers must sign and return the Release of Liability Form in order to participate in the HillClimb. To save you time and reduce exposure to others, you can print the form and bring it with you to bib pickup.
Due to social distancing requirements, there is no day-of registration for the 2020 Dynafit Vail HillClimb.
Costs: $40 week-of registration.
PARKING
The race will begin on Gore Creek Drive near Checkpoint Charlie in the heart of Vail Village and finish at Golden Peak base area.
Free parking is available near the race start in the Vail Village parking structure or across the village in the Lionshead parking structure.
WEATHER
According to wunderground.com, the forecast for Saturday morning in Vail predicts a temperature of 47º at the start of the races with a chance of rain later in the afternoon. Please dress appropriately for the conditions.
The course and start times may vary based on weather.
SOCIAL DISTANCING TIPS
All race participants and spectators will be expected to follow social distancing guidelines and COVID-19 protocols; please review our Race Protocols and Trail Running FAQ’s before Saturday’s race. It is important to follow these protocols to ensure that we can continue to put on races and events!
Please remember to bring and wear your face masks at the race start and finish, and do not participate if you are feeling ill or have been exposed to someone with illness.
For some (very entertaining) tips on social distancing for runners, please view this video courtesy of Vail Health and the Vail Valley Running Club:
PARTY, PRIZES & SWAG
AFTER-PARTY & PRIZES
Unfortunately there will be no after-party and awards ceremony for the 2020 Vail HillClimb due to COVID-19 gathering size restrictions. However, Northside Kitchen donuts will again be available at the finish line. Grab your yummies while you exit the venue!
Raffle winners will be handed their prize when collecting their t-shirt after the race and all awards will be mailed.
FIRST PLACE OVERALL AWARDS
NEW FOR 2020!
First place overall male and female racers will receive a custom wood trailhead sign as a keepsake from each race.
ABOUT THE MAKER
Chad Andrews is a local craftsman from Denver, Colo. He grew up in the green mountains of Vermont and now enjoys woodworking in his home workshop in Colorado. His creative designs are simple, practical and unique pieces every time. Whether it’s a piece of furniture, artwork or signage, Chad can bring your ideas to reality. Check him out @co.craftsman on Instagram.
VIRTUAL MARKETPLACE
Northside Kitchen, Northside Grab & Go, and Southside Benderz are all open for business! Come in with your bib after the race, and receive your first beer for $1. Thanks for racing!
DYNAFIT PRODUCT HIGHLIGHT: FELINE SL TRAIL SHOE
Designed for maximum traction on variable mountain terrain, the Dynafit Feline SL is the shoe of choice for Saturday’s Vail HillClimb. A proprietary Pomoca outsole features deep lugs that grip into loose terrain and propel each stride forward for maximum running efficiency. Our signature Heel Preloader and quick-lace system combine to give a classic Dynafit running fit.
Shop the Feline SL and other Dynafit running styles at Dynafit.com. #SPEEDUP
Skratch Labs is offering all racers a free race pack nutrition kit! Get your free race pack so you’ll have fast and sustained energy for trail running races!
TECH T-SHIRTS
All Vail HillClimb participants will receive a race shirt featuring a unique design.
Due to health restrictions, participants will not be able to try on t-shirts prior to choosing their correct size. Please refer to the manufacture fit chart from these links to determine your size prior to race day:
VOLUNTEER!
Interested in enhancing the Vail Trail Running Series? Contact Kip Tingle at [email protected] for volunteer opportunities and become a part of our race team! Volunteers receive a race shirt.
SPONSOR SHOUTOUT
Joining our 2020 series title sponsor DYNAFIT and presenting sponsors Bloch & Chapleau Attorneys at Law and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield are individual race sponsors Vail’s Mountain Haus, Vail Valley Charitable Fund, Eagle Valley Behavioral Health, Summit Ford, Vail Health, Elevated Dental and Town of Minturn.
Partners also include The Steadman Clinic, Steadman Philippon Research Institute, Eagle Outside, Lululemon, Vita Coco, Renewal by Andersen, Optic Nerve, Garmin, Central Rockies Mortgage, Vail Mountain Coffee and Tea, Northside Coffee and Kitchen, Skratch Labs, Vail Resorts, Beaver Creek Resort Company, Vail Honeywagon, Honey Bunchies, Town of Vail and KZYR 97.7.
RUNNERS NEED COVERAGE TOO!
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is dedicated to bringing more affordable health care to you. Our Mountain Enhanced plans offer local solutions through partnerships with select area doctors and hospitals, so you can enjoy quality, low-cost care in the same place you work and play. Contact your broker for more information.
CONTINUE THE RACE EXPERIENCE
July 18: Dynafit 10K@10,000 Feet & 5K@10,000 Feet
Vail Mountain
August 1: Dynafit Berry Picker
Vail Mountain
August 29: Half Marathon and 5K
Camp Hale
September 12: Dynafit EverGold 10K & 5K
Beaver Creek Resort
September 26: Dynafit Boneyard Boogie
Town of Eagle
The VRD is an equal opportunity service provider and operates under special permission from the White River National Forest and Bureau of Land Management.
REGISTER FOR INDIVIDUAL RACES OR THE WHOLE SERIES!
MEET YOUR MEDICAL SUPPORT CREW!
The Steadman Clinic/Steadman Philippon Research Institute provides sports medicine coverage for the VRD mountain bike and trail running series. Athletic trainers are at each race and provide injury prevention, first aid, injury evaluation and referrals in case you get hurt. They are located at the start/finish line in The Steadman Clinic tent. Please feel free to use these services. Your athletic trainers for this week’s race are:
Natalie Reynolds MAT, ATC
Natalie is originally from Bear, Delaware. She graduated from the University of Delaware with a Bachelor of Science degree in athletic training and a minor in strength and conditioning. While there, she worked with several different sports teams including football, baseball, lacrosse and ice hockey.
During her senior year she interned with the Philadelphia Flyers professional ice hockey team. Natalie accepted a graduate assistant athletic training position at Ohio University in Athens. There, she obtained her Master of Science degree in athletic training while working with the Bobcats softball team and serving as a preceptor to undergraduate students.
Natalie enjoyed working at Lake Superior State University as co-head athletic trainer for the ice hockey, tennis and golf teams.
She’s excited to spend a year in the Vail Valley where it will be almost as snowy and chilly as it was in Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan! In her free time Natalie loves hanging with friends and family at the beach, out on the boat or doing pretty much anything outdoors.
She is also an avid sports fan and looks forward to learning more about recreation in Colorado.
Emma Young MA, ATC
Emma is originally from the small town of Reelsville, Indiana. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in athletic training from Indiana University in 2017. While at Indiana, she had the opportunity to work with various teams including field hockey, softball, rowing, Bloomington North High School sports teams and the IU ballet department.
Emma continued her education at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill where she received her Master of Arts degree in exercise and sport science with an emphasis in athletic training. During this time, she worked as a graduate assistant athletic trainer for the varsity gymnastics team as well as the sport club program, which consisted of 52 unique sports.
She also taught lifetime fitness classes and completed her research thesis, which examined the association between lower extremity loading variables and femoral cartilage deformation in healthy individuals.
In her free time, she enjoys being outdoors and spending time hiking, kayaking and cycling. Emma is excited to experience life in Vail and hopes to learn how to ski during her time here!
ABOUT DYNAFIT
As the athletic mountain brand, DYNAFIT knows no compromise and is dedicated to delivering the best equipment and apparel for mountain athletes wanting to move fast and light in the mountain.
Since the advent of the revolutionary “Low Tech” ski mountaineering binding over thirty years ago, DYNAFIT has been committed to developing the lightest and fastest most reliable gear for human-powered alpine pursuits in all season, enabling its customers to define and reach their Mountopia.
DYNAFIT North America is part of Salewa North America, a subsidiary of the Oberalp Group, a family-owned business with global operations, specializing in premium outdoor consumer products. Boulder-based Salewa North American manages the USA/Canada sales, marketing, operations, distribution and customer service functions for the Salewa brand along with DYNAFIT (based in Munich, Germany), Pomoca (based in Aubonne, Switzerland), and rock climbing brand Wild Country (based in Tideswell, U.K.)
ABOUT THE VAIL RECREATION DISTRICT
The Vail Recreation District’s mission is to offer diverse and exceptional recreation opportunities that enhance the physical, social and emotional well-being of all its residents and guests. The VRD aims to help Vail Valley residents and visitors pursue their recreational passions by providing the following outlets for competition in summer and winter via a running and a mountain bike race series, numerous tournaments and/or leagues for hockey, volleyball, lacrosse, softball, golf, tennis, pickleball, soccer, flag football and figure skating; venues like Dobson Ice Arena, Vail Golf Club, Vail Nordic Center, Vail Gymnastics Center, Vail Nature Center, Vail Skatepark, Vail Tennis Center, Golden Peak Pickleball Center, Community Programming, Vail’s Imagination Station and use of additional gyms, playing fields and the surrounding White River National Forest via collaboration with local entities; sports classes and camps for youth, adults and families; and opportunities to learn about and appreciate our Rocky Mountain environment through guided activities, classes and camps.