Sawatch Ascent

Event overview

Sawatch Ascent is a mountain 50k held in Nathrop, Colorado, with start and finish at the base of Mount Princeton. The course length is 33 miles and features approximately 7,000 feet of ascent and the same amount of descent. Elevation ranges from about 8,200 ft to 13,150 ft, with an average elevation near 9,800 ft. The route follows a large lollipop shape with one long climb and one long descent and includes sections on the Colorado Trail.

Course, services, and policies

Trail surfaces include roughly 25–26 miles of singletrack (including 12 miles on the Colorado Trail), about 4.5 miles of pavement, and 2.5 miles of gravel road. The race has an 11-hour cutoff and a field cap of 250 runners. There are three staffed aid stations (not counting start/finish); water and Tailwind are available at all aid stations. Finishers receive a medal, a race shirt, full-resolution professional images, and complimentary drinks at the finish. Camping at the start/finish is available for $15 per night and is limited to 35 spots. The event offers a "No Frills" registration option that removes a shirt or medal for a reduced fee. Deferral policy allows 50% of entry to be deferred to the following year if requested by September 1; refunds are not offered, though third-party insurance may be purchased. An optional Sawatch 50/50 challenge pairs this race with a nearby 50k on the same weekend. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.