Evergold 10K race goes off Sunday

VAIL, Colorado — The final event in the La Sportiva Vail Mountain Trail Running series is the Evergold 10K on Sunday at 10 a.m. at Golden Peak in Vail.

“This race ties the series together and highlights the start of fall in the Vail Valley. Runners enjoy this course because the start and finish are in the same spot and the route encompasses some of the great lower trails on Vail Mountain,” said Vail Recreation District sports director Joel Rabinowitz.

The six-mile course has an average grade of 11 percent and total elevation gain of just less than 1,900 feet and includes singletrack as well as some wider trails. The terrain offers some gravel and dirt road as well as some technical trail running on parts of the Berry Picker Trail. There are two aid stations, one located just beyond two miles and the second just before mile No. 4.

Parking is free at the Vail Village parking structure. Race entry is $25 in advance, and $35 on race day. Register through www.active.com through today, by fax to VRD, or in person at the VRD offices from noon-5 p.m. on Saturday. Every race participant will receive a goody bag, T-shirt, post-race refreshments, accurate results, and the opportunity to win random prizes. Prizes from La Sportiva will go to overall and age group winners.

The five race La Sportiva Vail Mountain Trail Running series started in June and included events from 6-14 miles. On June 21, the first race in the series was held with Bernie Boettcher and Amanda Occhi victorious in the 10K Summer Solstice. On July 6, Simon Gutierrez and Sarah Shepard won the 32nd annual Vail HillClimb. The third event in the series on July 20 offered two distances, the 4.6-mile Berry Picker with winners Gutierrez and Megan Kimmel, and the 14.4-mile Half Marathon with winners Matt Hill and Allison Krausen. On Aug. 10, the 10K at 10,000 feet saw the repeat winner Boettcher and first-time champion Kelly Couch.