Course Overview
Ring the Springs 35K covers roughly 21.5 miles through Colorado Springs in June, starting and finishing at Rock Ledge Ranch in Garden of the Gods. The course combines fast city streets early on with more challenging terrain through North Cheyenne Cañon and Pike National Forest trails, accumulating about 3,400 feet of climbing and topping out around 7,900 feet. Runners can expect a mix of surfaces and environments — from pavement through neighborhoods to dirt trails winding through canyons and forest. The route passes through the dramatic red rock formations of Garden of the Gods, offering classic Colorado scenery without venturing into the higher alpine zones that the longer distances tackle. Aid stations are spaced roughly every 5-6 miles, with a 10-hour time limit providing a generous window for completion. This works well for runners comfortable with moderate climbing and varied terrain who want a solid trail challenge without extreme technical demands or high altitude exposure. The June timing means warm conditions are likely, especially on exposed sections, so heat management becomes part of the equation. Runners looking for a straightforward mountain ultra or those who prefer single-surface courses might find the road-to-trail mix less appealing.