Run Rabbit Run – Known as Ski Town USA and for its beautiful homes and ski-in/ski-out condos nestled right into the mountainside, Steamboat Springs also draws huge crowds every year for numerous outdoor athletic and recreational activities. Summers are full of camping, fishing and biking fun and before the ski season sets in around late November, the fall months are full of triathlons and numerous races- both on foot and on bikes.
One of the most well known races takes place every September when Steamboat Springs draws runners from all over the country, eager to participate in the Run Rabbit Run 50 or 100 mile race.
50 Mile and 100 Mile Race Set To Run Through Steamboat In September
Already in its 11th year, the Annual Run Rabbit Run 50 Mile Race is limited to just 200 entrants and will take place on Saturday, September 9th, 2017. With an early 6am start time and a 15- hour cutoff time of 9pm, this challenging course winds in and around Steamboat Springs with numerous hard climbs.
In its 6th year, the Annual Run Rabbit Run 100 Mile Race will take place on Friday, September 8th, 2017 and have a staggered start time of 8:00am for tortoises and a noon start time for hares. Tortoises will have a 36- hour cutoff time of 8pm while hares will have a 30- hour cutoff time of 6pm.
Most people who enter this race are a tortoise, according to the runrabbitrunsteamboat.com website. In addition to being a faster runner, hares tend to be strong, seasoned competitors who also have stricter rules to follow than tortoises. For example, hares have to run without a pacer (Rule #1- You are on your own) and may ONLY receive help from their crew at and within the designated aid stations, nowhere else (Rule #2).
Entry Fees and Prizes
With a pretty hefty race entry fee price tag, the Run Rabbit Run winners are also eligible to earn big payouts. For the 50 mile race the entry fee is $200 and for the 100 mile race the fee is $335, but the top 7 male and female finishers for the 100- mile race are guaranteed a purse minimum of $12,500, making this the largest purse take home of any trail ultra marathon in the world.
Race Course
The 50- mile race starts at the base of the Steamboat Springs Ski Area at approximately 6,900 feet and proceeds to go up Mount Werner, an elevation of over 10,000 feet. From there, runners head over the Continental Divide to Rabbit Ears Mountain before winding their way through Steamboat Springs and ending up back at the ski area.
The 100-mile racecourse also starts at the base of the Steamboat Ski Area and encompasses Buffalo Pass and Emerald Mountain. In addition, runners also complete a number of hops through and around town. If you look, you will surely see all the signs that are out and the numerous aid stations laid out along the route to help keep runners, safe, hydrated, feed and motivated.
With this race fast approaching in just a couple short weeks, it looks like weather will be ideal with lower temps and little humidity but no snow yet.