On Sunday, July 3, the 27th annual Teva Vail Daily Vail Hill Climb will be run on an uphill trail course starting in the Vail Village and reaching the summit of Vail Mountain at Eagle’s Nest after a 7.5 mile climb and a gain of 2,200 feet. More than 400 competitors are expected for the event from the novice first-timer, to the seasoned veteran trail racer.
The Hill Climb is part of Colorado’s premier trail running series which runs June through September and includes events from 5k to the half marathon (13.1 mile) distance. The first race in the series was held on June 12 with the Teva First Bank 8K at 8,000 feet. Following the Hill Climb there are three more events to include the Teva Vail Half Marathon on July 24, the Teva Berry Picker (5K/10K) on August 14 and on September 11, the Teva Extremesports.com EverGold 10K. Register for one event, two events, or for the entire series at www.active.com.
Most noted for its winter sports and Alpine-village atmosphere, the Vail Valley comes alive in summer with glorious blooming wildflowers, chirping picas, and a relaxed mountain atmosphere. It is the ideal time to enjoy the scenery afforded by a trail race up the mountain. The course is well marked with several water stations along the route. Participants are assured accurate results, commemorative T-Shirts, and great prizes.
Awards will be presented to overall and age group winners and new this year will be raffle prize drawings at the race awards ceremony featuring products from area merchants and national companies including Aqx Sports, Lenticular Pictures, Gerber headlamps, and Hydrapak hydration back-packs.
Series title sponsor Teva footwear introduces their lightweight X1 trail racer available at Boulder Running Company and Christy Sports, both retailers serving as registration points for the series. Series sponsors include First Bank, Extreme Health Care, Vail Daily, Vail’s Mountain Haus, Tiga Advertising, Howard Head Sports Medicine Centers, and Gatorade.
Last year’s top finishers are listed below. Second place finisher and 2004 Teva U.S. Mountain Running Team member Matt Levassiur will return as will last year’s fifth place finisher Simon Gutierrez, a four time member of the Teva U.S. Mountain Running Team. Several of last year’s top ten women are expected to return. For more information and to view course map visitwww.vailrec.com.
Top Finishers – 2004 Hill Climb
1 TIM Parr, 22, Gunnison, CO, 47:48
2 MATT Levassiur, 22, Gunnison, CO, 48:28
3 PAUL Low, 30, Amherst, MA, 48:35
Top Women
1 LAURA HAEFELI, 36, Del Norte, CO, 57:32
2 LISA ISOM, 32 Vail, CO, 59:49
3 KELLY RYAN, 35, Lakewood, CO, 1:00:21
