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 peak 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 and past Lone Cabin Reservoir, finishing in the town of Paonia along the North Fork of the Gunnison River. Over half the course is on singletrack trails. A new 30K (18.5 miles) option begins near the USFS boundary.

The event includes aid stations, shuttle service, and a post-race party, and supports the Nature Connection’s Scholarship Fund to promote outdoor access for families. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.