Mountain Ridge Trail Race 2026
Highlands Ranch, Colorado, CO
Registration closed
Weather
| Month | Avg high / low | Band |
|---|---|---|
| April | 34–59°F | Cool |
Historical averages for planning — not a forecast. Always check conditions before race week.
Route & course
21 Mile
Out-and-back · Mixed · starts 7:00 AM- Elev gain
- 2,106 ft
- Elev loss
- —
- High point
- 6,412 ft
- Low point
- —
- Turnaround at the midpoint; the second half retraces the first
- Aid stations seen twice
'Y' out-and-back format (two out-and-back arms from a central spine). 90% dirt, 10% bike path. Major hill climb at mile 1. 4 aid stations. Cupless race. Drop bags permitted at start/finish. No pacers allowed. Winners receive the Jax Cast Iron Challenge custom skillet.
Half Marathon
Out-and-back · Mixed · starts 7:30 AM- Elev gain
- 1,345 ft
- Elev loss
- —
- High point
- —
- Low point
- —
- Turnaround at the midpoint; the second half retraces the first
- Aid stations seen twice
'Y' out-and-back. 90% dirt, 10% bike path. Major hill climb at mile 1. 3 aid stations. Cupless race.
10K
Out-and-back · Mixed · starts 8:00 AM- Elev gain
- 600 ft
- Elev loss
- —
- High point
- 6,369 ft
- Low point
- —
- Turnaround at the midpoint; the second half retraces the first
- Aid stations seen twice
Out-and-back. 90% dirt, 10% bike path. Challenging climb from start through mile 2. 2 aid stations. Cupless race.
5K
Out-and-back · Mixed · starts 8:15 AM- Elev gain
- 374 ft
- Elev loss
- —
- High point
- 6,369 ft
- Low point
- —
- Turnaround at the midpoint; the second half retraces the first
- Aid stations seen twice
Out-and-back. 90% dirt, 10% bike path. Gentle opening climb. No aid stations listed. Cupless race. Family-friendly introduction to trail running.
Travel
- Base town
- Highlands Ranch
- Nearest airport
- DEN · 40 min
- Rental car
- Recommended
- Rideshare
- Good
- Lodging
- Good
- Facilities
- Good
- Trip length
- 2 nights
- Travel complexity
- 3/10
DEN is a major hub with easy I-25 south access to Highlands Ranch; abundant suburban lodging and dining; race venue is a school with parking.
Day-before packet pick-up at Denver Runners Roost (1685 S. Colorado, Denver) makes a Denver hotel stay convenient. South Denver suburbs (Lone Tree, Centennial) offer plentiful hotels close to the start.
Best for / avoid if
Best for
- Trail newcomers wanting a first real climb
- Front Range locals seeking a well-run spring race
- Runners who want multiple distance options under one event
- Scenery seekers wanting 360° Rockies views without technical terrain
- first-time trail racers
- runners seeking a mid-distance Colorado trail challenge
- those wanting easy large-city access
Avoid if
- You want technical singletrack or mountain-route feel
- You dislike fully exposed, shadeless courses
- You need a guaranteed warm race-day forecast
- unwilling to carry your own hydration
- seeking technical mountain terrain
First-timer mistakes
Starting too warm — the 7 AM gun is often below 40°F with ridge wind, but the exposed grassland heats up fast by mid-morning. Bring a wind shell to discard at mile 1. Also note this is a cupless race; bring a reusable cup or hydration vessel.
Photos
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