Continental Divide Trail Run

Continental Divide Trail Run

The Continental Divide Trail Run is scheduled for Saturday, August 29, 2026 in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Distances offered are:

• 50K
• 16 mile
• 5 mile

The race starts and finishes on the Torian Plum Lawn in the Steamboat Resort area near Slopeside Grill. Proceeds are donated to the Trail Maintenance Endowment Fund. The event operates under a special uses permit on the Routt National Forest.

Course, support and logistics

Courses run through aspen and pine forests with views of the Yampa Valley and substantial climbing. The 16 mile course rises over 3,500 ft with a high point near 10,420 ft. The 50K is about 29.5 miles, starts and finishes near 7,000 ft and climbs to over 10,400 ft; rough estimates list about 5,500 ft of elevation gain and substantial distance above 10,000 ft. The 5 mile route is just under 5 miles and gains roughly 1,000 ft to the turnaround.

Aid stations on the 50K and 16 mile courses include Rainbow Saddle, Mt. Werner Summit and Long Lake. The race is cupless - there will be no disposable cups at aid stations; runners must carry a hydration device. Water, Tailwind and typical race food are provided at aid stations. Time limits are enforced: the 50K has a 9-hour overall cutoff with an earlier checkpoint, and the 16 mile has a 7-hour overall cutoff with an earlier checkpoint. Crewing access is limited - some aid stations are reachable only by foot, bike or gondola and there is no vehicle access to the course. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.