SPORT

This category is for people that don't have a ton of mountain experience, and wouldn't call themselves strong runners. But are ready to test themselves. Beginner types.

EXPERT

This category is for people with mountain experience, consider themselves strong hikers w competent running skills. Even if you think you’re not an expert ‘racer’, if you’re a strong mountain type with plenty of mountain experience, you’re Expert criteria regardless of race experience.

PRO

This category is for professional & sponsored athletes.

Your timing chip will start when you physically cross the starting line.

Your bib has a timing strip on the back, please do not fold this timing chip to ensure an accurate time.

We ask all runners to have their own water bottles. Our aid stations will be stocked with hydration, but please bring your own water in your own water bottles.  The goal is to minimize waste.

Yes, we'll send information in athlete emails with specific information about cutoff times per venue.

No pacers please, our races are short.

Yes, we encourage it, please note, at our race in Alyeska, Alaska - you are required to inspect the full course to be eligible to compete.

We mark the course exceptionally well, we pride ourselves on our course marking. We will also have Volunteers on course at all critical intersections and turns to ensure athletes stay on course.

Yes, you must inform an aid station, course marshall, or medical staff, they will help you to an arranged vehicle, chairlift, or tram for escort down the mountain if needed. If transport is not needed and it's not a medical issue, you can turn around at any point, please be mindful of other racers on course.

Typically, our aid stations are approx mile 2 and mile 5. We provide water & Skratch hydration.

Traction devices such as MicroSpikes are allowed but not required.

No dogs please.  Dogs are not allowed within Little and Big Cottonwood canyons due to protected watershed. Therefore no dogs can be at the venue or within cars at our Alta, Snowbird, and Brighton races.

Training Plans with Partner: TRAINING PEAKS

No, each athlete will need to pick up their own Bib/Packet.

Athletic clothes & mountain running shoes. Be prepared for mountain weather & potentially freezing conditions, even if it is a nice day - bring warm layers and light rain layers because conditions can change quickly in the high alpine.

We encourage it, vendor village is a great place for spectating. As well as spectating along the course, please be sure to stay on marked course, be respectful of day hikers in the area, and be in position in advance of the race to ensure you do not disturb the athletes.

Approx 70% of registrations are Sport (beginner/intermediate) category. We have first-timers at every race.  Ages 7-82 have completed our races. Please join us!

Yes, our grand prize giveaway at each race is a YETI cooler.  Plus lots of other great giveaways. As a racer your bib number is your giveaway number.

Our races start at 9AM or 10AM, please see specific race page you’re interested in race schedule.

Yes.

Yes. Most of our sponsors provide demos, visit their tents in our vendor village.

We suggest no headphones in the high alpine due to areas with rockfall hazards and potential wildlife hazards along the trail.

We don’t think gloves are necessary for most races, but we’d say yes for Alyeska, the technical climb up Center Ridge requires a lot of hand use & descent down Max’s Mountain.

Please email:  julian@cirqueseries.com

Only race we have installed ropes is Alyeska, Alaska, race organizers will have hand lines installed where needed. With that said, for all venues, please come prepared for a serious run in a mountainous, technical environment.

Organizing events the size of Cirque Series, & preparing the best possible experience for every runner requires many of our unrecoverable expenditures to be made months in advance. Because the bulk of our costs come before the event occurs we will not be able to extend refunds to those who wish to cancel their registration. We will assess things appropriately & fairly, to the best of our abilities. We will always treat our community fairly but also ask that you be sympathetic about the realities of putting on a great event. We know it's not a perfect solution, but we hope that you will see this as a fair & reasonable approach.

No, apologies, no race transfers allowed.

No, apologies, you’ll need to sign up for each race separately, due to waivers.

Yes, we post course condition updates on our website, instagram, and within racer emails prior to the race.