Vail, Colo. – It’s always fun when the Vail Recreation District’s iconic Vail HillClimb race falls on July 4 – what a way to celebrate Independence Day! The 2020 Dynafit Vail Trail Running Series continues on Sat, July 4 with the 45th Annual Vail HillClimb, presented by Vail’s Mountain Haus.

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 2,000 vertical feet over 4.5 miles. Runners will then return to the base area with a gradual descent to the finish at Golden Peak. 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. View a Garmin course map here.

The first wave of racers will begin at 7 a.m. Visit vailrec.com for a full schedule of wave starts. Details pertaining to race format changes following Eagle County COVID-19 restrictions will be communicated to race participants. 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.

Participants must preregister; there will be no day-of registration. Racers can pick up their race numbers or register ahead of time on Friday, July 3 at Vail’s Mountain Haus, adjacent to the covered bridge in Vail Village.

2020 Dynafit Vail Trail Running Series Upcoming Races

Sat, July 4: Vail HillClimb | 7 a.m. | Vail Mountain

Sat, July 18: 10K@10,000 Ft & 5K@10,000 Ft | 8 a.m. | Vail Mountain

Sat, Aug. 1: Berry Picker | 8 a.m. | Vail Mountain

Sat, Aug. 29: Camp Hale Half Marathon & 5K | 8 a.m. | Camp Hale, between Red Cliff and Leadville

Sat, Sept. 12: Evergold 10K & 5K | 9 a.m. | Beaver Creek Resort*

Sat, Sept. 26: Boneyard Boogie 11K Trail Run | 9 a.m. | Town of Eagle

*Change of venue

REGISTER EARLY & SAVE!

Visit www.vailrec.com/register and save $5 on individual races by registering prior to race week.

Race details are available at www.vailrec.com. For more information or to become a race series sponsor, call the VRD Sports Department at 970-479-2280 or email [email protected].

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 Valley Charitable Fund, Eagle Valley Behavioral Health, Vail’s Mountain Haus, 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.

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, soccer, flag football, broomball, figure skating and rugby; venues like Dobson Ice Arena, Vail Golf Club, Vail Nordic Center, Vail Gymnastics Center, Vail Nature Center, Vail Skatepark, Vail Tennis 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.