Jeremy Swanson, Aspen Snowmass
For the third year in a row, Aspen Snowmass presents the 2015 Audi Power of Four Trail Race scheduled for Saturday, July 18-Sunday, July 19. The race continues to grow and attract some of the best runners in the state. This year, the 50K Ultra has been named the US Skyrunner Series North American Continental Championships and the new Vertical K race, also part of the US Skyrunner Series, has been added to the event schedule.
Paul Hamilton, second place finisher in the 2014 Audi Power of Four 50K Ultra says, [Im] looking forward to racing the Power of Four again this year. The Aspen area is beautiful, the course is fast and flowy, and you guys put on a great event. Hamilton continues to speak about the upcoming 2015 Audi Power of Four Trail Race, The competition for the race is looking stout, and it’s going to take a great race to get on the podium again.
The events signature race is a challenging 50K Ultra that covers the four Aspen Snowmass mountains (Snowmass, Buttermilk, Aspen Highlands and Aspen Mountain) utilizing a mix of single track and dirt road.The course showcases 12,178 ft. of elevation gain and 11,632 ft. of elevation loss across a 31 mile (50K) course that begins at the base of Aspen Mountain, climbs to the Sundeck, and then follows single and double-track trails over Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk and Snowmass before finishing at Snowmass Base Village.
In addition, the event offers a 25K race along the famed Government Trail that covers the mountains of Buttermilk and Snowmass. This course option features an elevation gain of 4,918 ft. and 4,483 ft. in elevation loss.
The 50K and 25K races will both take place Sunday, July 19.
New to the Audi Power of Four event schedule, the US Skyrunner Series Vertical K trail race will take place Saturday, July 18. This course challenges participants to be the fastest runner up Aspen Mountain covering approximately three miles of terrain with an elevation gain of 3,267 ft.
The 2015 Audi Power of Four Trail will have a total prize purse of $5,000. Prizing for the 50K will consist of $3,500 divvied up amongst the top three men and women, for the 25K $1,000 and for the Vertical K $500. All 50K and 25K participants will receive an exclusive Helly Hansen Power of Four Trail Race technical shirt, post-race meal, free beer, chip timing with results at the finish line and a custom finisher gift.
Join ultra-runner Dakota Jones Saturday, Jul. 18 at 9 a.m. in gondola plaza at the base of Aspen Mountain for a trail run around the City of Aspen before returning to the base of the mountain for the start of the Vertical K race. The run is meant to be a casual outing that is free to participants.
For more information about Aspen Snowmass, visit www.aspensnowmass.com or call (800) 525-6200. Follow Aspen Snowmass @aspensnowmass on Twitter and Instagram or at www.facebook.com/aspensnowmass.
