Ultramarathons in Empire

Saturday, September 12 · Empire, Colorado

The Devil on the Divide 22K is a point-to-point trail race through Colorado's high country near Empire in early September. This 14-mile course climbs over 3,400 feet and reaches elevations above 13,000 feet, running entirely on dirt with mostly single-track trail. The route follows the Continental Divide through some of Colorado's most remote terrain, passing Jones Pass and Herman Lake before finishing at Herman Gulch. Expect sustained climbing at serious altitude where the air gets thin quickly. The course is technical enough and remote enough that organizers require trail running experience at high altitude—this isn't a race where you can wing it on fitness alone. Weather can shift rapidly at these elevations, and much of the course offers little protection from the elements. Runners comfortable with extended climbs above treeline and familiar with Colorado's high-altitude demands will find this course rewarding. The five-hour cutoff gives most experienced mountain runners reasonable time, but the combination of altitude, climbing, and technical terrain makes this better suited for those who've spent time training and racing in similar conditions rather than runners new to high-altitude trail running.