Ultramarathons in Empire
Discover ultramarathon and trail running races in Empire, Colorado. View course maps, elevation profiles, and explore race results.
Discover ultramarathon and trail running races in Empire, Colorado. View course maps, elevation profiles, and explore race results.
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.
The Devil on the Divide 50K is a point-to-point trail race that starts at Jones Pass and finishes in Empire, Colorado, each September. This is high-altitude mountain running at its most demanding, with over 6,500 feet of climbing and a peak elevation above 13,000 feet on nearly 31 miles of primarily singletrack dirt trail. The course traverses the Continental Divide through Clear Creek County's remote backcountry, moving through alpine terrain where thin air and exposed ridgelines define much of the experience. Runners face significant elevation changes across varied mountain landscapes, with aid stations spaced roughly every 4-5 miles including key stops at Herman Gulch and Bard Creek. The remoteness is real—crews and spectators can only access Herman Gulch and the finish line, leaving long stretches where it's just you and the mountains. This race requires prior ultra experience and isn't shy about it. Runners comfortable with technical mountain terrain, sustained climbing at altitude, and self-reliance in remote conditions will find what they're looking for. Those newer to high-altitude racing or seeking a gentler introduction to mountain ultras should look elsewhere—the combination of elevation, exposure, and distance makes this a serious undertaking.