Course Overview
The Telluride Hill Climb is a 3.2-mile straight shot from town to the summit of Gold Hill, climbing 4,000 feet in the process. Starting at Oak Street Plaza in Telluride at 8,750 feet, this is purely an uphill grind designed for runners and hikers who want to test themselves against serious mountain terrain. The first two miles follow ski runs up relentlessly steep, grassy slopes, gaining over 3,000 feet before reaching the top of Lift 9. From there, the course continues along See Forever Ridge on two-track for the final 1,000 feet to Gold Hill's 12,750-foot summit. The entire route is exposed with minimal shade, and the high-altitude start means you'll be working hard in thin air from the beginning. There's one aid station at the finish line, and a three-hour time limit keeps things moving. This race suits runners comfortable with sustained climbing and high-altitude effort, plus anyone who doesn't mind a mandatory hike back down afterward—either three miles to the gondola or six miles through Bear Creek Basin. If steep grades and significant elevation gain intimidate you, this probably isn't your event. Those who thrive on pure mountain suffering will find exactly what they're looking for.