The course follows the perimeter trail of the island counterclockwise up past Murray Bay and Duck Lake.  At mile three, the course heads eastward into the Tombolo, up into the island's thumb and then back along Trout Bay where runners can enjoy one of the most spectacular stretches of shoreline anywhere in the Great Lakes. Runners then ascend up the eastern cliffs with views of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. The northern half of the island features 300 ft colored Jacobsville sandstone cliffs and exquisitely beautiful North Beach.   The return trail on the island’s western shore features remarkable vistas of Lake Superior. The 50K heads inland at mile 22 up to Echo Lake and up to the island’s summit. This five mile section features relatively fast dirt forest roads. Runners in the 50K return to the Western Coastal Trail at mile 27. Much of the trail is shaded by lush hardwood forests.  Trail includes single track, two track, and narrow dirt roads. The course is well marked with colored flags, directional arrows, and mile markers.

Marathon runners who expect to finish in over 7 hours may start (with the 50K Runners) at 6:00 a.m.   However, if you run the marathon as an early starter,  you are not eligible for any awards. 

The 50K will have five aid station one of which you will hit twice, so 6 total aid station access points.  The Marathon will share all of the 50K aid stations except mile 27.  The half marathon will have two aid stations at 4 and 9 miles.  All runners are required to carry a 20 oz water bottle or other functional hydration system which they can refill at each aid station.  Aid station volunteers will have large pitchers with cold water and cold Gnarly Fuel2O energy drink with electrolytes and will quickly refill your bottle or hydration system.

Parking in the City of Aspen can be challenging in the busy summer season. We highly suggest carpooling if possible.

You can also take advantage of the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA) which is a bus transit that will bring you from the Rifle area off the I-70 all the way to Aspen for the race. Fares are required.

For other options on transportation to the Aspen area head here: City of Aspen Transportation Options
There is a parking garage near the Rio Grande Park, named the Rio Grande Parking which is a fee based parking option. For additional parking options in town head here: City of Aspen Parking Options

Please help reduce traffic in the City of Aspen and ease parking by carpooling, thank you!

There will be a large tent near the start/finish area to store your gear.  Be sure to check this area for your belongings before you board the ferry boat back to the mainland.  If you do leave something on the island, it will be brought back to the ferry boat store on the mainland. 

The half marathon course is a scenic loop that takes runners northeast up along the western shore of Murray Bay. Runners will enjoy the morning sunlight sparkling on the smooth waters of this protected bay. The course heads into a dense tunnel of Hemlocks and past Duck Lake and before turning eastward into the tombolo at 3 miles. The next mile is a flat two track trail bordered by Reindeer moss and Jack Pine forest. At four miles runners gather aid and then head out onto the beach and the grand landscape of Trout Bay, looking Northward to Canada. The bay is bookended by 100-200 ft sandstone cliffs, geologically older than the more well known Pictured Rocks to the east. After a mile on the beach runners then ascend a challenging single track trail that transitions to heavily forested highlands of the island's interior.

Runners reach the highest point of the course at 6.3 miles. The next 2 miles is the fastest of the entire route, with a gently sloping downhill on dirt forest road until runners reach the south end of Echo Lake. At this point they head toward the western coastal trail and rejoin the marathon course (22 mile mark of the marathon). The remainder of the course follows the west coast of the island, with spectacular views of the aquamarine waves of Lake Superior crashing below. When runners reach Merchandise Beach, they head eastward through hardwood and white pine forest to William’s Landing and the finish. Many runners continue running right past the finish line another 50 meters to take a refreshing plunge into Lake Superior.

*Light Aid Offerings: Water, electrolyte drink (Tailwind), bananas, oranges

Parking in the City of Aspen can be challenging in the busy summer season. We highly suggest carpooling if possible. 

You can also take advantage of the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA) which is a bus transit that will bring you from the Rifle area off the I-70 all the way to Aspen for the race. Fares are required. 

For other options on transportation to the Aspen area head here: City of Aspen Transportation Options
There is a parking garage near the Rio Grande Park, named the Rio Grande Parking which is a fee based parking option. For additional parking options in town head here: City of Aspen Parking Options

Please help reduce traffic in the City of Aspen and ease parking by carpooling, thank you!