2026 Mountain Ridge

The 2026 Mountain Ridge event will take place on Saturday, April 11, 2026, in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, with the start and finish at Mountain Ridge Middle School, located at 10590 Mountain Vista Ridge, Highlands Ranch, CO 80126. The race will utilize the Douglas County East-West Regional Trail as its primary route, offering a mix of dirt trails and paved bike paths. Participants can expect a challenging yet scenic experience through the Colorado landscape, with elevation gains ranging from 374 feet for the 5K to 2,106 feet for the 21-mile race. The event will feature multiple race distances, including a 21-mile, half-marathon, 10K, and 5K, with start times beginning at 7:00 AM. The weather in Highlands Ranch on April 11 is expected to be mild, with temperatures ranging between 45°F and 60°F, and mostly clear skies, making for ideal conditions for trail running.

What distances are available for this event?

• →21 Mile race starting at 7:00 AM
• →Half-Marathon starting at 7:30 AM
• →10K race starting at 8:00 AM
• →5K race starting at 8:15 AM

What is the course surface composition for each race?

• →90% dirt trails and 10% paved bike paths for all race distances
• →The 21 Mile and Half-Marathon courses follow a "Y" out-and-back format
• →The 10K and 5K courses follow an out-and-back format

What is the elevation gain for each race?

• →21 Mile: 2,106 ft elevation gain with a max elevation of 6,412 ft
• →Half-Marathon: 1,345 ft elevation gain with a max elevation of 6,412 ft
• →10K: 600 ft elevation gain with a max elevation of 6,369 ft
• →5K: 374 ft elevation gain with a max elevation of 6,369 ft

What are the key features of each race course?

• →21 Mile: Steady climb from Mile 1, four aid stations, and sweeping Front Range views
• →Half-Marathon: Mile 1 climb with expansive Front Range views, three aid stations
• →10K: Challenging climb from the start and another at Mile 2, two aid stations
• →5K: Gentle introductory climb, manageable challenge with rolling hills

What are the start and finish locations for the event?

• →The event starts and finishes at Mountain Ridge Middle School, 10590 Mountain Vista Ridge, Highlands Ranch, CO 80126
• →The primary trail used is the Douglas County East-West Regional Trail

What are the race end times?

• →The event will conclude at 1:30 PM on April 11, 2026

What are the bib pickup options?

• →Denver Runners Roost: 1685 S. Colorado, Denver, CO 80222, on April 10 from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM
• →Mountain Ridge High School: 10590 Mountain Vista Ridge, Highlands Ranch, CO, on April 11 from 6:15 AM to 8:30 AM

What are the key event policies?

• →The event has a cupless initiative with UltrAspire reusable cups available for purchase or participants may bring their own
• →Race entries are non-refundable and non-transferable, with alternatives outlined in the Race Withdrawal Policy
• →Volunteer opportunities are available with perks such as Aravaipa race credits and race swag, and participants can sign up via the official site

Is live tracking available for the event?

• →Yes, live tracking will be available for the 2026 race with split points throughout the event weekend

What is the event schedule?

• →21 Mile: 7:00 AM start
• →Half-Marathon: 7:30 AM start
• →10K: 8:00 AM start
• →5K: 8:15 AM start
• →Race ends at 1:30 PM on April 11, 2026

What is included in the race registration?

• →Access to the race course, aid stations, and event facilities
• →Participation in the event, with options for live tracking and volunteer opportunities
• →The cupless initiative with reusable cups available for purchase or brought by participants

What is the race withdrawal policy?

• →Race entries are non-refundable and non-transferable, with alternatives outlined in the Race Withdrawal Policy

Are there any amenities or facilities available at the event?

• →The event will have aid stations for all race distances
• →Volunteer support will be available throughout the event
• →The venue at Mountain Ridge Middle School will serve as the start and finish line

What are the weather conditions expected for the event?

• →The weather in Highlands Ranch on April 11, 2026, is expected to be mild, with temperatures ranging between 45°F and 60°F and mostly clear skies, making for ideal trail running conditions.