Course Overview
The Valkyrie Trail Race Marathon covers 26.2 miles through Cheyenne Mountain State Park in Colorado Springs each May, designed as a women-focused event with multiple distance options sharing the course. The route begins on smooth crushed limestone paths through open meadows before transitioning to winding singletrack that climbs toward rocky ridgelines, then descends into shaded pine canyons with technical terrain. With 3,586 feet of elevation gain between 6,017 and 6,873 feet, the course offers a mix of runnable sections and challenging climbs that demand steady pacing. The May timing brings pleasant spring conditions at altitude, though weather can vary. Runners move through diverse terrain—from exposed ridgeline views to sheltered forest sections—with aid stations positioned throughout, though this is a cupless event requiring runners to bring reusable cups for hydration. Women who enjoy sustained climbing mixed with technical descents will find this course rewarding, especially those comfortable with varied trail surfaces and moderate altitude. The supportive, women-focused atmosphere adds energy, though the terrain itself requires solid trail experience and patience with rocky, technical sections that can slow progress in the later miles.