West Elk Challenge

The West Elk Challenge is a scenic point-to-point trail marathon held in the North Fork Valley of Colorado, showcasing the vibrant fall colors of the West Elk Mountains. The 26.2-mile course starts at Crawford Reservoir State Park, traversing gravel roads through farms near Needle Rock before entering Gunnison National Forest. Runners climb singletrack trails on Mt.

Lamborn to the 9,762-foot Inter-Ocean Pass summit, then descend through diverse forests to finish in Paonia along the North Fork of the Gunnison River. Over half the route is on single-track trails. A new 30K (18.5 miles) option is available.

The event supports the Nature Connection’s Scholarship Fund and includes aid stations, shuttles, and a post-race celebration. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.