Vail, Colo. — New challenges are an innate part of what it means to be an athlete, so it’s no surprise that in 2020 outdoor athletes have learned how to continue participating in many of the sports they love, and connect with one another in new and different ways.
Case and point, the GoPro Mountain Games Elements events in Vail, part of a creative continuation of the annual GoPro Mountain Games.
The GoPro Mountain Games typically welcome thousands of athletes and more than 80,000 spectators to Vail early each June for what’s become known as the best and biggest all-around celebration of outdoor sports, music and lifestyle anywhere on earth.
“This year we’ve taken a new approach, and it’s been impressive to see just how meaningful and enjoyable our events have been for those taking part,” said Sarah Franke, Vice President of Marketing and Operations for the nonprofit Vail Valley Foundation, which hosts the GoPro Mountain Games each year.
“We’ve had to learn to do things differently to ensure we meet and exceed county and state health guidelines, but it’s been impressive to see what’s possible even while maintaining social distance.”
The first step the organizers took was to bring smaller ‘elements’ of the Mountain Games to life on select weekends in Vail, and the Vail Valley Foundation has already hosted yoga and bike events.
Up next: fish, run, and disc golf events.
Après 5K run (and a movie!) with Andy Wacker
The Mountain Games will bring their fun and festive Après 5K to life Aug. 15 in Vail. The event will give runners of all ages and abilities the opportunity to join in the fun of a competition – without the crowded starts and finishes of typical run events.
The course begins at Mountain Plaza in Vail, runs through much of the traditional 5K event, and finishes at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater.
World-class runner Andy Wacker will take part in the event, and help out with some giveaways at The Amp after the race.
Then, it’s on to the movie as the venue will screen The Barkley Marathons movie on its 23-by-9-foot video screen, with plenty of room to social distance on the lawn during the movie and throughout the post-race festivities.
Register now at https://mountaingames.com/the-games/elements/.
Biggest Fish – and more – competition
The Mountain Games Elements: Biggest Fish competition is already putting the hook into mountain fishermen and women. The event takes place Aug. 8-16, and will offer prizes for anglers who provide photographic evidence of their watery pursuit. They can fish any type of water, with any type of rod and reel, so long as the photo date stamp is between Aug. 8-16, 2020.
Prizes from GoPro and Yeti will be given for:
- Overall biggest fish
- Judges’ choice: Best photo
- Judges’ choice: Most unique catch/photo
Anglers are strongly encouraged to take care of the fish they catch, especially in mountain streams where fish are more stressed due to warm water.
Learn more and register at https://mountaingames.com/the-games/elements/.
Disc Golf
Much like traditional golf, disc golf is one of the sports that lends itself well to social distancing. This will hold true for this year’s Mountain Games Elements: Disc Golf.
On August 22, the Mountain Games ‘Elements’ event will challenge competitors on the Cross Creek Disc Golf Coursein Gypsum, Colo. Each player will participate in two stroke-play rounds throughout the day with a lunch from Rocky Mountain Taco and player pack provided. Event organizers said they are grateful for the support from the local Disc Golf club, the Flying Eagle Disc Society.
Registration is $60 and space is limited due to county and state public health guidelines.
Round 1: 9 a.m.
Round 2: 1:30 p.m.
Register now at https://mountaingames.com/the-games/elements/.
About the GoPro Mountain Games
Each June the GoPro Mountain Games event brings athletes, art, music and mountains together in Vail, Colorado, to create the best all-around mountain experience available anywhere in the world. Founded in 2002, the family-friendly event now hosts more than 3,000 pro and amateur athletes in 12+ disciplines and 30+ events, plus three nights of free concerts at the GoPro Mountains of Music at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater. The event is hosted by the Vail Valley Foundation, in partnership with GoPro, GMC, Town of Vail, Go RVing, L.L.Bean, Outside, YETI, TIAA Bank, Bosch, Nature Valley, Pacifico, Vail Resorts, Adidas Terrex, Wild Tonic, Orijen, QUALO, Bai, Mountain House, Somnus, Bark Super Chewer and Waterloo Sparkling Water.
About the Vail Valley Foundation
The Vail Valley Foundation is a 501c3 Colorado nonprofit with a mission to enhance the quality of life in the Vail Valley through arts, athletics and education. The organization’s work in education is through YouthPower365, which operates as its own 501c3 with a mission to provide year-round extended learning that empowers and educates the youth and families of Eagle County from cradle-to-career readiness. The Vail Valley Foundation also provides the Vail Valley with several of its most treasured annual events, such as the GoPro Mountain Games, the Xfinity Birds of Prey Audi FIS Ski World Cup races, the Vail Dance Festival, Hot Summer Nights and ShowDown Town free concert series’, and more. The Vail Valley Foundation also manages and operates the Vilar Performing Arts Center in Beaver Creek Village and the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater in Vail, providing more than 100 Broadway, dance, classical, rock, pop, jazz and family events per year.
Vail Valley Foundation activities and events are made possible by cornerstone partners: the Town of Vail, Vail Resorts, GMC, and TIAA Bank. Visit www.vvf.org to learn more.
Media contact:
Tom Boyd
- 970.376.3707
- 970.748.5935