Ultramarathons in Ouray
Discover ultramarathon and trail running races in Ouray, Colorado. View course maps, elevation profiles, and explore race results.
Discover ultramarathon and trail running races in Ouray, Colorado. View course maps, elevation profiles, and explore race results.
The Ouray 100 takes place in mid-July in the San Juan Mountains of southwest Colorado, covering roughly 102 miles with a generous 52-hour time limit. This high-altitude adventure features an out-and-back format with multiple visits to several aid stations, including repeated stops at key points like Fellin Park and strategic turnarounds at locations such as Crystal Lake and Weehawken. The course winds through classic Colorado mountain terrain, moving between historic mining areas and alpine environments around the Ouray region. Runners can expect significant elevation changes as the route ventures toward places like Camp Bird and Ironton, with stretches that likely include both technical single track and old mining roads. At this elevation and in mid-July, afternoon thunderstorms are common, and temperatures can vary dramatically between exposed ridgelines and shaded valley sections. Pacers are permitted starting at mile 53.7, which suggests the latter half presents the more challenging terrain or navigation. Runners comfortable with long mountain efforts, changing weather conditions, and the mental challenge of retracing sections of course will find this race appealing. The 52-hour cutoff provides room for hiking the steeper climbs, but the combination of altitude, distance, and mountain weather means this isn't a race for those new to high-altitude ultras.
The Ouray Mountain Trail Run covers 13 miles through Colorado's San Juan Mountains in mid-September, starting and finishing at Fellin Park. This fundraiser for the local school takes runners on a mountain course with three aid stations, including a key checkpoint at roughly 7 miles that must be reached within 3 hours of the 7:30 AM start. Set at over 7,700 feet elevation in the heart of the San Juans, the course moves through high-altitude terrain where September weather can shift quickly from warm sunshine to sudden mountain storms. Runners will experience the dramatic landscape that surrounds this former mining town, with views of towering peaks and alpine terrain that define this corner of southwestern Colorado. The 3-hour cutoff at mile 7 suggests meaningful elevation gain in the first half, though specific climb details aren't readily available. This race suits runners comfortable with mountain conditions and altitude, particularly those who don't mind some uncertainty about exact course details. The September timing offers cooler temperatures than summer but requires preparation for variable mountain weather. Runners seeking a well-documented course with detailed elevation profiles might want more information before committing.