Sawatch Ascent

Sawatch Ascent

The Sawatch Ascent is an ultra-distance mountain race located in Nathrop, Colorado. The course follows a large lollipop loop that starts and finishes at the base of Mount Princeton. Participants traverse the Arkansas River Valley and segments of the Colorado Trail, reaching a peak elevation of 13,150 feet. The route features a total of 7,000 feet of vertical gain and 7,000 feet of descent.

The terrain consists of several surface types across its duration:

• 50k: 26 miles of singletrack, 4.5 miles of pavement, and 2.5 miles of gravel roads.

The 33-mile course has an average elevation of 9,800 feet, with the lowest point at 8,200 feet. Much of the middle section includes 25 miles of uninterrupted singletrack, with 12 miles specifically on the Colorado Trail. The event is capped at 250 participants and has a completion cutoff of 11 hours.

There are three fully stocked aid stations between the start and finish lines. These stations provide water, Tailwind, and various food items. Runners receive a finisher medal, race shirt, professional race photography, and access to a finish-line area with beverages. Registration options allow for the exclusion of shirts or medals for a reduced fee. For those traveling to the event, limited camping is available at the start and finish area for an additional nightly fee.

Runners have the option to participate in the Sawatch 50/50 by completing this event alongside the West Line Winder 50k held on the same weekend. Those who finish both races receive a special award, with place awards provided for the top three overall men and women. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.