Thumbs Up Vertical Challenge

Estes Park, United States • 6 Dec 2025

The Thumbs Up Vertical Challenge is an 8-hour ascent race held in Estes Park, Colorado, on the Thumb Open Space trail. Participants run a 1 km out-and-back course with a steep 540-foot elevation gain per ascent. Runners collect poker chips at the turnaround point to track their completed ascents, which are tallied at the event's end to determine winners. Unique patches are awarded at milestone ascents corresponding to iconic local peaks: Estes Park (7,522'), Deer Mountain (10,103'), and Longs Peak (14,259'). The event is limited to 30 participants, offering a challenging vertical running experience in a scenic mountain setting. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.

Race information

1 Km Out and Back With 540 Ft of Ascent
Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
Trail runs nearby

LUNA (Latino Ultra Nature Adventure) is an inclusive ultra running event held annually at Meyers Homestead Trailhead in Boulder, Colorado. Now in its third year, LUNA offers multiple race distances including 5km, 7 miles, 15 miles, and a marathon, accommodating up to 150 runners combined. The event..

The Crazy Legs 10k+ Trail Run takes place at Devil’s Backbone Open Space in Loveland, Colorado. The course features a scenic loop through Hidden Valley, Hunter Loop, Laughing Horse Loop, and Wild Loop trails, covering over 10 kilometers with minimal overlap to prevent congestion. Marked by flour arr..

Estes Park's Backyard Ultra is a unique ultramarathon held in Estes Park, Colorado, featuring scenic views of Lake Estes. Participants run a 4.252-mile loop on a paved bike trail with a 150-foot elevation gain per lap at 7,522 feet elevation. The race follows the Backyard Ultra format, where runners..

The Sunset Trail Running Festival, taking place in Gold Hill, Colorado, features a variety of trail races including a 28K, 12K, 5K, and a Kids 1K. This event, organized by The Boulder Watershed Collective and T.E.A.M Boulder, aims to raise funds for wildfire preparation and community resilience init..

The Timberview Trail Run is an annual trail running event held at Lory State Park in Bellvue, Colorado. Celebrating its sixth year in 2025, the race offers three distances: 5K, 5 mile, and 10 mile, catering to all levels of athletes including beginners and children. The scenic courses wind through f..

The Boulder Rez Marathon, held at Boulder Reservoir in Boulder, Colorado, offers a scenic and mostly flat course with only 200 feet of elevation gain. Runners enjoy trails and dirt roads alongside the reservoir, with stunning views of the water and the Rocky Mountains. The event features multiple di..