6TH ANNUAL FLAMING FOLIAGE RELAY - THE RETURN OF THE COLORADO RELAY

IDAHO SPRINGS TO BUENA VISTA OVER GUANELLA, GEORGIA, & FREMONT PASSES

165 MILES, 30 LEGS, 3 MOUNTAIN PASSES, 31 MILES OF SINGLE TRACK TRAILS

Friday - Saturday September 7th - 8th

Early Bird Registration Opens October 1st

If you've ever experienced fall in the Rocky Mountains you know what a magical time it is. If you've never been up high when the leaves are starting to change, you are definitely missing out. With cool temperatures, sunny days, and stunning scenery, many people believe autumn is the best time to get out and enjoy the high country. And while a drive up through the mountains in the fall can be a nice way to spend a day, we think you should take it one step further. We think you should get out and experience it on foot!

The Flaming Foliage Relay takes the best parts of the old Colorado Relay route and throws in some new and scenic challenges. This relay begins in the quaint town of Idaho Springs and traverses 165 miles and three rugged mountain passes before finishing in charming Buena Vista on the banks of the Arkansas River. Along the way you'll run on roads and trails through some of the most amazing scenery Colorado has to offer.

COURSE

The Flaming Foliage Relay begins by following the original Colorado Relay course. Created by Outward Bound in 1998, this route takes runners from Idaho Springs to Georgetown, up and over the summit of Guanella Pass (11,669 ft) , on a series of singletrack trails to go over Georgia Pass (11,598 ft) to Breckenridge, then on bike paths through Frisco to Copper Mountain.

From Copper, the course then sets out on new and uncharted terrain as it heads over Fremont Pass (11,318 ft) to Leadville, around Turquoise Lake, and down the Arkansas River Valley. You'll finish your adventures in beautiful Buena Vista where you'll celebrate with a meal and cold beer.

This course is as rewarding as it is challenging and it will be an experience that you'll certainly never forget!

TEAMS

There are two main divisions of teams in the Flaming Foliage Relay: 10-person and 5-person Ultra teams. Both divisions have competitive and non-competitive options.

10-person teams are comprised of 6 - 10 runners and have six competitive categories to choose from: Men's, Women's, Mixed, Open, or Master's categories. Each member of a 10-person team will run three legs of the race, with legs averaging 5.5 miles in distance. Teams who wish to be competitive must maintain the same rotation order.
Ultra Division categories are available for runners that want to take on a more serious challenge. Ultra teams are broken down into two different categories:
o 5 x 6: Each runner is responsible for six legs in rotation. This is just like the 10-person teams but with each runner doing more legs.
o Super Ultra: For the hardy fools crazy enough to try the whole thing solo, or in teams of two or three!

Teams who want to shake things up a bit can choose the non-competitive Helter Skelter category. Helter Skelter teams may mix up the order of runners but all other relay racing rules apply. No awards are given for teams in this category.

GET YOUR ASS OVER GEORGIA PASS TIME TRIAL

The Get Your Ass Over Georgia Pass Time Trial presented by Fort Collin's premier running store, Altitude Running is back. Each team's Leg 11 runner, which goes over Georgia Pass on a single track trail, will be timed. The fastest three men and women to run Leg 11 (12.6 miles, 2,146 feet elevation gain, -2,304feet elevation loss) will win gift certificates (first place $75, second place $50, third place $25) from Altitude Running for their achievement.

To be eligible for the prizes, interested teams must register their runner for the time trial prior to the start of the relay.

HOW IT ALL WORKS

Long-distance relay racing is a form of self-supported adventure racing. You and your team will be out all day and all night dealing with everything the course throws your way. While we will be there to make sure you have an amazing experience, you are responsible for your own food, water, and transportation (team vehicles). This also means being prepared for things like adverse weather conditions and the darkness of night. We're not trying to scare you - these challenges are some of the very things that make long distance relay racing so rewarding!

VOLUNTEERS

Putting on a long race that passes through rural areas is a challenge. In order for the Flaming Foliage Relay to be a success, all teams will be responsible for choosing one of the two volunteer options- one of which benefits local community non-profit organizations.

In this way, we will secure the commitment of volunteers necessary to act as Race Marshals, staffing the Start and Finish areas, and the 30 exchange points along the course.

REGISTRATION

Ready to register? Click here for more info. Registration is limited to the first 150 teams.

Are you an individual runner looking to join a team, or a team looking for runners? Check out our Team Matching Message Board.

NEWSLETTER

QUESTIONS?

You should find answers to most of your questions on this web site. If not, feel free to contact us.