Royal Gorge Groove Trail Runs 2026
Royal Gorge Ranch & Resort, CO
Registration open
- Entry price
- $10–$170
Weather
| Month | Avg high / low | Band |
|---|---|---|
| April | 30–60°F | Cool |
Historical averages for planning — not a forecast. Always check conditions before race week.
Route & course
50K
Loop · Trail · starts 7:00 AM- Elev gain
- —
- Elev loss
- —
- High point
- 7,113 ft
- Low point
- 6,056 ft
- Start and finish in the same area
- Easier spectating and repeated aid access
Loop course from Gunslingers Club along the Royal Gorge rim. Rocky technical singletrack with some flowy sections. Drop bags allowed at start/finish. No pacers. Aid stations every 2–6 miles.
30K
Loop · Trail · starts 7:30 AM- Elev gain
- 2,660 ft
- Elev loss
- —
- High point
- —
- Low point
- —
- Start and finish in the same area
- Easier spectating and repeated aid access
~811 m (2,660 ft) of elevation gain. Intermediate challenge along the gorge rim with technical rocky sections and canyon views.
20K
Loop · Trail · starts 8:00 AM- Elev gain
- —
- Elev loss
- —
- High point
- —
- Low point
- —
- Start and finish in the same area
- Easier spectating and repeated aid access
Sub-loop of the longer course routes; shares rim trail terrain. Good gateway distance for trail runners new to technical canyon terrain.
13K
Loop · Trail · starts 8:30 AM- Elev gain
- 323 ft
- Elev loss
- —
- High point
- 6,360 ft
- Low point
- —
- Start and finish in the same area
- Easier spectating and repeated aid access
Minimal elevation change across 8 miles along the gorge rim, 900 ft above the Arkansas River. Excellent for trail newcomers; more scenic than strenuous.
5K
Loop · Trail · starts 9:00 AM- Elev gain
- 300 ft
- Elev loss
- —
- High point
- 6,360 ft
- Low point
- —
- Start and finish in the same area
- Easier spectating and repeated aid access
Beginner-friendly taste of Royal Gorge terrain; families welcome. Kids Run follows at 9:30 AM.
Travel
- Base town
- Cañon City
- Nearest airport
- COS · 54 min
- Rental car
- Recommended
- Rideshare
- Limited
- Lodging
- Limited
- Facilities
- Good
- Trip length
- 2 nights
- Travel complexity
- 4/10
Fly into Colorado Springs (COS), rent a car, and drive ~50 miles to Cañon City. Rideshare is unreliable outside the city; a car is essentially required. Venue parking is limited — carpooling strongly encouraged.
Colorado Springs (~58 miles) offers more hotel options if Cañon City is booked. Denver (DEN) is ~129 miles and a viable alternative airport with more flights. The mountain bike event on Sunday April 26 makes a two-night stay worthwhile.
Best for / avoid if
Best for
- scenery seekers
- intermediate trail runners
- Colorado locals
- runners wanting multiple distance options
- first-time ultra curious runners
- Scenery lovers
- Trail runners
- Altitude training
Avoid if
- you need pacer support
- you dislike exposed rocky singletrack
- altitude is a concern (starts ~6,400 ft)
- you want a spring race with guaranteed warm weather
- Altitude sensitivity
- Weather unpredictability in spring
First-timer mistakes
Underestimating the rocky, technical rim terrain on longer distances and arriving without layers — April in the Royal Gorge can deliver snow, wind, or a bluebird 60°F day.
Community reports — 2026
No reports for this edition yet.
Sign in to add your report.