Sage Burner

Sage Burner 50k/25k Trail Running Race

3rd Annual Sage Burner 50k/25k: Saturday, May 29, 2010...mark your calendar!

2009 Results for 50k and 25k.

You can access both race results by clicking the tabs at the bottom of the results page. We will continue to improve for next year and are already in the planning process. Please email Scott Drum (sdrum@western.edu) with questions, event feedback, etc.

Read about the race @ http://footfeathers.wordpress.com/2009/05/24/sage-burner-race-report/

Race Headquarters / Lodging: Water Wheel Inn! Note: nightly rates are $65.00 for one night or $59.00/night if staying 2 or more nights at the Water Wheel Inn - special Sage Burner rates! Enjoy a multi-sport Memorial Day weekend in Gunnison and also enter the Growler Mountain Bike Race the next day. Pre-race packet pick-up at Water Wheel Inn (37478 Hwy 50, just West of Gunnison) on Friday, the night before the race, from 7-9 PM and the morning of the race at 6:30 to 7:30 AM at Hartman Rocks lower parking lot.

Runner Limit: Overall field is limited to 250 runners.

Animal Policy: no dogs allowed on the course

NEW Course Map (by Ben Clauss) with aid stations marked

Start and Finish (both races are loop courses): Hartman Rock lower parking lot (see course map) - open course!

50k and 25k start time: 8:00AM

50k cutoff time: 1:30 PM at the 4th aid station (~ 20.75 miles)

Course closes: 4:00PM

Post Race Showers Available: 2-4 PM at Colorado Fitness (405 W. Tomichi Avenue, at the intersection of Hwy 50 and 14th Street, behind the House of China in Gunnison).

Registration: mail-in form, online via active.com (follow link from this site), or the night before the race at the Water Wheel Inn (West of Gunnison on Hwy 50) in Gunnison, CO from 7PM - 9 PM in the hotel lobby; race day registration is provided from 6:30-7:30AM at the start/finish area (Hartman Rocks lower parking area) with a fee of $10.00 extra per race .

Post-race Awards & Festivities: begin at 6:00PM at IOOF Park in downtown Gunnison near Sugah's Cafe at the intersection of Main Street (or HWY 135) and Virginia Street (NE corner). Unique pottery mugs, by a Western Art Department student, to top '3' overall in each race (male/female) and 1st place in each age group (19 & under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60+). Also, Sage Burner RUN / Growler MTB combination awards for male/female in the following categories: 25k RUN / 32 mi MTB and 50k RUN / 64 mi MTB. Top '3' overall in each Sage Burner race not eligible for age group awards. Anticipate beer and food from 5-7PM at IOOF park (downtown Gunny).

Post-race Massage Therapy: TBD

Race Background Information: The 2009, 2nd Annual Sage Burner 25 and 50 kilometer races started together at 8 am on Saturday May 23rd at Hartman Rocks Recreation Area. The weather stayed partly cloudy with afternoon thunderstorms. To our knowledge three Sage Burner participants also rode in the Growler Mountain Bike race the next day and included: Brian Smith (25k run / 32 mi MTB), Chris Boyack (50k run / 64 mi MTB), and Sarah Gillis (25k run / 32 mi MTB). All three runners/bikers received a special "combo" mug at the Growler awards ceremony.

The inaugural Sage Burner Trail Race was run on Saturday, June 7, 2008 at Hartman Rocks Recreation Area. The Sage Burner is two concurrent events consisting of 50K (31 miles) and 25K (15.5 miles) races. Check out the course map here!

The race offers distinctive awards, t-shirts, and prizes along with designing a challenging ultra distance 50K race course and a 25K course that will attract elite and citizen runners from around the county and the region. The Sage Burner will stand out as a high altitude, quad pounding, curvy, and undulating adventure.

To get to Hartman Rocks travel west through Gunnison on US Highway 50. Turn left immediately before crossing the Gunnison River at the Hartman Rocks recreation sign. After turn proceed 2.5 miles to Hartman Rocks recreation site on right. (See the About Gunnison page for a more detailed map)

Race proceeds will be donated equally amongst programs at Western State College of Colorado, including Club Sports and the High Altitude Performance Lab (HAPLab) along with Gunnison Trails a local non-profit trail advocacy organization.

Running at Elevation: Participants in the Sage Burner running race should be prepared to run at elevation. The location of the run, Hartman Rocks, located just south of Gunnison, starts at an elevation of 7700 feet and climbs to 8390. For best performance, runners coming from 5000 feet or lower should arrive in town at least 24 hours prior to the event. It is very important to stay hydrated before, during and after the race. Avoid alcohol, excess caffeine and consider starting Acli-Mate® Mountain Sports Drink either 2 days prior or upon arrival to Gunnison.

Acli-Mate® Mountain Sports Drink is formulated by a Gunnison local specifically for athletes and visitors concerned about altitude sickness and/or physical performance at altitude. For more information about Acli-Mate®, recommendations for mountain runners and to order visit www.Acli-Mate.com.
(Submitted by: Roanne Rouse Houck, N.D.)

Growler Mountain Bike Race - Note: there is also The Growler Mountain Bike Race on Sunday, May 24th directed by 6 x Leadville 100 Mile Mountain Bike Champion, Dave Wiens. Special awards to those who complete both "long" races.