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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 17, 2015
Race Contact: Jen Mason, (970) 470-0001, jenmasonvail@gmail.com
(Note: This information is being sent by the Vail Recreation District on behalf of Jen Mason because of your interest in trail races. This is not a VRD-facilitated event. VRD staff will be at the event in a supporting role.)
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NINTH ANNUAL VAIL MOUNTAIN WINTER UPHILL RACE AND HIKE
SUNDAY, FEB. 21 Snowshoes, Running Shoes or Skis
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(Vail, Colo.) - What better way to celebrate American Heart Month (February) than with a challenging trek up Vail Mountain that also supports a great organization. The annual Vail Mountain Winter Uphill Race and Hike returns on Sunday, Feb. 21, as runners, skiers and snowshoers tackle 2,200 vertical feet of groomed trails to reach Eagle's Nest at the top of the Eagle Bahn Gondola in Lionshead. As always, this event is ideal for competitors and non-competitors featuring categories for each, and honors the memory of Vail local Lyndon Ellefson, pioneer of the U.S. Mountain Running Team. All of the race/hike entry fees support the U.S. Mountain Running Team.
For the past nine years, the Vail Mountain Uphill has proven to be a challenging midwinter competition for some, and a fun, non-competitive community hike for others. It presents an opportunity to support a worthy organization, while also paying tribute to Ellefson, a pioneer in the sport of mountain running who lost his life in a 1998 accident near the Matterhorn while training for a mountain race in Italy. Ellefson was the foreman for the Lionshead Gondola. Ellen Miller, along with fellow mountain runner and Vail local Hooker Lowe, started the race in 2008 to spread their passion for mountain running and uphill skiing (skinning) and to pay homage to Ellefson.
"Through this race we can honor Lyndon and contribute to a sport he so loved," said Miller, Vail Mountain Uphill founder.
Miller, who coaches athletes year-round primarily through the Vail Vitality Center and also serves as the women's team manager for the U.S. Mountain Running Team, reminds participants that this is not a snowshoe race.
"Most folks wear running shoes with stabilizers and some wear skis," said Miller. "If it snows a lot participants might wear snowshoes, but I don't see too many at this race unless we see a lot of snow the night prior to the race start."
The event begins at 7 a.m. in the Lionshead base area, adjacent to the Eagle Bahn Gondola. Categories include ski and non-ski options and prizes will be awarded by overall place and category by gender age group, including 18 and under, 19-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79 and 80 plus. The finish line features separate portals for competitive and non-competitive participants and results are posted for competitive racers only.
Online registration is available prior to the race here. Electronic/digital registration on the day of the race is also available at the Blue Moose in Lionshead prior to the race. Race entry fees are $30 through Feb. 20 and $40 the day of the race.
The 2016 Vail Winter Uphill is presented by the Vail Vitality Center, Vail Mountain, Blue Moose Pizza and the Vail Recreation District.
For information, call 970-470-0001.
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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.
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