GORE-TEX™ TransRockies Run
Stage 1: Beaver Creek to Vail
15.1 miles/3993 feet climbing

2007 TransRockies Run Results »

The Skaggs brothers set the early pace

The inaugural GORE-TEX™ TransRockies Run stage race kicked off with a short 15.1 mile run from spectacular Beaver Creek Resort to the top of Eagles Nest, located at 10,350 feet above sea level, high on Vail Mountain. Most of the racers were woken up by violent thunderstorms the night before the race, though the day dawned under clear skies as the 112 runners set out on this 5-day 110 mile stage run through the Colorado Rockies.

From the start on the climb out of Beaver Creek, pre-race favourites Erik and Kyle Skaggs of Team Montrail established a lead which they would not give up as they stormed to a nearly 12-minute win over Team GORE-TEX Vortex finishing in 2:11:51, a stunning 8:21/mile pace on a course which included nearly 4000 feet of climbing. Behind them, in a very impressive 2:23:27 were Team GORE-TEX Vortex, Dustin Phillips and Erin Hutchinson.

The first mixed team through the finish line was the all-star Running Times duo of Adam Chase and Michelle Barton who blistered the course in 2:36:20 to establish an early lead of over 15 minutes. Local knowledge paid off for Team Beaver Creek, the winning women’s duo of Emily Kloser and Cindy Crawford who crossed the line just outside the 3 hour mark in 3:01:37.. Emily’s husband, mountain bike and adventure racing legend Mike Kloser is the Activities Director for Beaver Creek and has been a key mover in the creation of the groundbreaking GORE-TEX™ TransRockies Run.

After the first 20 teams had crossed the line, the changeable Rocky Mountain weather blew in full force with thunder, lightning and hail on the teams who were working there way up the mountain to the finish and they found themselves stuck at the top of the mountain until the weather cleared. While there were no serious consequences, it was an important reminder of what the Rockies can bring as the racers prepare for three huge days at high elevation starting with Stage 2 from Vail to Pando. 

Stage 2 Preview
Vail to Pando, CO.
25 miles/5045 feet climbing

Departing from Eagles Nest, stage 2 of the GORE-TEX™ TransRockies Run confronts the racers with more, miles more climbing and a brutal average elevation of 10,570 feet before finishing at Camp Hale in Pando, Colorado.