Marathon Race Course Description and Maps
2025 Run Through Time Marathon Information is below - this is a new course
- 7 1/2 miles dirt road, 7 miles rocky jeep trail/two track, 11 1/2 miles narrow singletrack trail
- Approximately 3800 feet of climbing. Low point 7000’, High point 9000’
- 7 1/2 hour time limit - 2 time cutoffs will be enforced
- 4 aid stations, 1 of which will be accessed 2 times (miles 3.4, 7.7, 12.5, 19.1, and 24.5)
- Participant limit: 250
- This is a new version of the course. Distance is 26.2 miles
Our starting line will be on CR 177, which is the road north of the railroad tracks at the base of S Mountain. Course will head northwest along 177 and then turns right and uphill to a water tank. Turn left at the water tank to CR 175, turn left to CR 177 or the road north of the railroad tracks, and head back to the starting line. This section of the course is nice packed dirt roads and paved highway with little elevation gain. Take advantage of this to space out before the single track.
Runners will then head east around the new bike skills park to connect to the Frontside trail. Runners head up the Frontside Trail to the Spiral Drive road and kiosk, where the first aid station of the race will be located (mile 3.4). Runners will then head downhill on Spiral Drive to the Rusty Lung intersection and take a right to head up the Rusty Lung Trail to CR 173. Turn left and head uphill on CR 173 before taking an almost immediate left onto the North Backbone trail. Follow the North Backbone trail for about 3 miles until it ends at CR 175 and your 2nd aid station (mile 7.7). This stretch of trail will most likely be icy/muddy at times.
Race will then head up CR 175 - this is an uphill section of a little over 4 miles on a plowed dirt road. This section of the course is where you will see the most vehicle traffic - some of whom drive faster than the posted speed limit. Please be aware of vehicle traffic during this section and stay to the side of the road! You will see your 3rd aid station at the Beasway trailhead at mile 11.7 - runners will continue on CR 175, heading past the aid station for .4 miles until you’re turned around by a volunteer. Runners then head back down to the aid station at mile 12.5. Whomever reaches this aid station first will win a bottle of whiskey from Wood’s High Mountain Distillery. If you do not reach this aid station location on your first pass (mile 11.7) by the time cutoff, you will be pulled from the race and given a ride back to town by aid station staff.
Runners will then continue the race on FR 181. This 1 mile stretch of road will most likely be hard packed snow. Race course then takes a right on FR 173 and will head mostly downhill for over 5 1/2 miles to the 4th Aid Station, located at the CR 173/Sand Dunes intersection at mile 19.1. This road can be very snowy, especially near the top, with areas of difficult footing, along with some icy and potentially muddy sections. This road is a very rocky jeep road - when snow starts to clear in some areas, be aware of the rocky and uneven footing underneath. There will be a time cutoff at the 4th aid station for marathon runners as well.
After leaving the 4th Aid Station, turn left down the Upper Sand Dunes Trail. You will have rejoined the half marathon course - runners near the front of the marathon field will start to pass half marathon runners here. This next stretch of the course is fairly technical - watch your footing. Head downhill on Sand Dunes for .7 miles, and then turn left to head uphill again on the Prospector trail. This stretch of trail can be muddy - remember to run through any muddy sections and not around. Turn right to head down the very end of the Uncle Nazty trail, and then turn right to head down the Cottonwood trail. Runners follow the Cottonwood trail to its intersection with the Backbone trail and continue to follow the Backbone trail. Follow the Backbone trail until you reach the Tenderfoot trail, and veer left to follow the Tenderfoot trail. Follow Tenderfoot all the way to the Spiral Drive road.
Runners will then head up to the top of the Spiral Drive road - a local favorite! Stay on the left hand side the entire time you’re on Spiral Drive, following the road around the small building up top and heading downhill to the Lil Rattler trail. Head onto Lil Rattler to the Spiral Drive kiosk and your first and now last aid station at mile 24.5.
Head back down the Frontside trail, following it all the way out to the dirt road. Turn right and then follow the course markings to cross the railroad tracks at the at grade crossing; follow the road west to the parking lot, cross the F Street Bridge and turn left into Riverside Park. Follow the path east through Riverside Park back to the finish near the Salida Scout Hut. Congratulations, you have finished!
Click here for online map
t Hut.
