Amazing Venues Turn the La Sportiva Mountain Cup into a Race Series to Remember

Vail, CO – The final event in the La Sportiva Mountain Cup Series is the La Sportiva Vail Trophy Challenge Race which will be held on Vail Mountain this Sunday, August 31, starting at 9:00 a.m.

The Trophy Challenge starts at the bottom of Vail Mountain at Golden Peak Children’s Center at 8,150 feet above sea level and climbs to Wildwood, the highest point of the resort at 10,874 feet. The climb occurs over the first 5.6 miles of the race. The final 1.6-mile section runs across the ridgeline and downhill to finish at Eagles Nest at 10,300 feet. The vertical gain is 3,000 feet in 7.2 miles. The course is entirely single track terrain, starting off in a deep forest, and finishing above the tree line with expansive vistas to the north and south, with late season wildflowers in bloom. There are aid stations at miles 2, 4, and 5.6 as well as the start and finish line. Gatorade Endurance formula will be provided at the aid stations as well as water.

In addition to the Vail Trophy Race, the La Sportiva Mountain Cup included 12 other events held May through August with venues in North Carolina, New England, Idaho, Utah, Oregon, California, Colorado, and Canada. The series has attracted runners from across the country that have traveled to these venues in hopes of moving into striking distance for the $25,000 cash purse.

The overall standings in the men’s division point to a clear winner – North Carolinian Shiloh Mielke, in the lead with 40 points, twice the score of his nearest rival, Joe Gray, from Washington with 20 points. Gray has been racing most of the summer in Europe and will not be at the Trophy Race which means that Coloradan Mike Selig will most likely grab second place. The master’s title (runners over 40 years of age) pits Bernie Boettcher, Silt, CO, against Simon Gutierrez, Alamosa, CO. Both are slated to compete in Vail.

In the women’s division, North Carolinian Meadow Tarves leads the series with 31 points. Tarves will still need to earn some points to hold off Laura Haefeli, Del Norte, CO, who has several wins in the series and will be racing in Vail.

Although the series attracts top mountain runners, runners of all ages and abilities are encouraged to participate in the event. Because of the elevation gain, many of the runners are relegated to a walk for portions of the course. In this event, there is no penalty for walking. This race is also a great tune-up for the final race in the La Sportiva Vail Mountain Trail Running Series, the Evergold 10k, on Sunday, September 7.

Sign up at www.active.com, or at the Vail Recreation District offices. You can pick up your race number on Saturday at VRD from noon to 5:00 p.m., or on race morning starting at 7:30 a.m. Pre registration fee is $25 and $35 on race day. Your entry fee includes a La Sportiva technical T-shirt and a goody bag at the finish. Ride the Gondola from Eagle’s Nest to Lionshead after the finish. Spectators may ride the Gondola to Eagle’s Nest on race morning for free between 8:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.

For additional details on the series, visit www.mountainrunning.com/item.php?id=98, and for details on the event visit www.vailrec.com.