Aspen Backcountry Marathon
Aspen, United States • 1 Aug 2026
Event overview
The Aspen Backcountry is a trail race on Saturday, August 1, 2026, in Rio Grande Park, Aspen, Colorado. The event is organized by Aravaipa Running and runs alongside the Rotary Club Duck Derby festival in the park. Distances offered are:
- 50K - 30.39 Miles
- Marathon - 26.35 Miles
- Heavy Half-Marathon - 14.64 Miles
Courses run almost exclusively on dirt trails and may vary slightly each year due to permitting. Live split tracking is available for the event.
Course, support and logistics
All distances include substantial elevation gain and high-elevation sections. Reported key stats include total elevation gain and maximum elevation for each distance (for example, the 50K lists 5,512 feet of gain and a max elevation of 10,385 feet). The race is limited-support with remote aid stations and course markings; participants are recommended to carry the official GPX track on a personal device. Light aid offerings at some stations include water, an electrolyte drink, bananas and oranges. Portable toilets and a medical team will be at the start/finish, and volunteers provide medical support on course, but participants are ultimately responsible for their own rescue and preparation.
Pitkin County requires a valid CORSAR card for the day of the event; a Colorado hunting or fishing license can serve the same purpose. Drop bags are allowed at the start/finish. Parking in Aspen can be limited; carpooling and local bus transit (RFTA) are suggested. Registration has tiered pricing depending on date. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.