+ Registration

Cost $85 (includes lunch, t-shirt & raffle)

Registration (Online Only)

Registration closed at 4:54pm on May 6 as our participation cap of 750 runners was reached. Race registration at this time is only available through online transfer only (please see below). A waiting list will not be taken.

Online Registration Information/Steps – Important:

1. Be ready to register at 10am Mountain Time – using the link above. The online portal will only allow you to register yourself when you are in the portal.
2. Once you have entered the events.com portal, the first 750 people to finish their registration and checkout will be registered for the race. If the race participation cap is reached while you are still filling out your registration, you will receive a message that the race is sold out when you try to check out.
3. Please remember to read the waiver and enter your name in the section for digital signature. Without a signed waiver, you will not be given a bib to participate.

Race Registration Insurance

Race registration insurance is available thru events.com when you register. This insurance program is optional and is unaffiliated with the organizers of the Golden Leaf Half Marathon (the Ute Mountaineer and the City of Aspen). The Ute Mountaineer & the City of Aspen cannot answer any questions regarding this insurance. Please read the policy to understand the coverage. You will receive a policy coverage confirmation email from FanShield from the address noreply@fanshield.com . Please keep a copy of this email in the event you need to make a claim. If you have questions about your insurance, please email help@fanshield.insure. Attendees can begin a claim at https://requestmyrefund.com/fanshield/refund . You can also get information about your policy and how to make a claim from the events.com website at https://events.com/faq/article/how-do-i-make-a-fanshield-attendee-protection-claim/?.

Please NOTE: This insurance does not cover race cancellation or reduction in participation by the race organizers.

Colorado Outdoor Recreation Search & Recreation (CORSAR) Card

Pitkin County requires that all participants obtain a valid CORSAR card for the date of the event. These are available to be purchased online separately from this event – please [click here]3. Then click on the picture with "Colorado Outdoor Search and Rescue Card" written on it. Fill out your age and residency and click "GO". This will give you the option of what to purchase. You will have to create an account with Colorado Parks & Wildlife.

Race Registration Transfer

WARNING: THIS YEAR Unregistered individuals have attempted to transfer their entries and scam people interested in transferring in. A JADE ROBINSON and an AMELIA KYLE have responded to facebook posts attempting to transfer their registration - Both names are NOT registered. Do not send the registration to the existing participant without verifying their registration. Please email paul@utemountaineer to verify that an individual is registered. Thank you*

Transfer of registration from one person to another costs $20 and will be allowed thru 10am MT September 22nd. This is a firm deadline. Transfer must be done online through the events.com portal:

Online Transfer:

1. Sign into your events.com account.
2. Find Golden Leaf Half Marathon click “View Order”.
3. Under Manage Registration, select Transfer Registration.
4. Enter the email address of person you wish to transfer to and send.
5. Your registration will now read: Pending Transfer.
6. The new runner will receive an email asking to complete the transfer. New runner will pay transfer fee ($20) + processing fee. Once they register, the original runner ‘s registration will be cancelled. They will receive a cancellation email.
7. The registration fee of $85 for the person transferring in will not be charged by events.com or the race organizer, nor will a refund be issued by events.com or the race organizer to the person transferring out. The new participant will have to reimburse the original participant for the $85 race registration race fee.

If the person transferring out has purchased race insurance, this transfer process will not be possible and participant must contact help@events.com.

The City of Aspen has set up a [Facebook Page]5 to help people connect for registration transfers.

PLEASE NOTE: The race organizers have the right to disqualify any participant attempting to sell or buy entry (via transfer) into the race at a price higher than the original purchase price. These participants will also be prevented from entering future Golden Leaf Half Marathons. Please read waiver agreement when signing up.

Maximum Race Participation / Mass Start

Maximum Participation: 750

Race Participation Could Decrease:** *It is possible, although unlikely, that county guidelines and safety precautions require the race capacity to be reduced. In this case, participants that signed up first would have priority over later sign ups. Ex: County reduces event capacity to 250 people - the first 250 people would be allowed to participate and the next 500 people would be refunded.

Mass Start: This years race will be a mass start at 8am. There will be no waves. We ask that competitive racers line up towards the front of the start line and recreational participants line up behind.

Race Cancellation

The Golden Leaf has been cancelled 3 times in 40 years (in 2006, 2016 and 2020) – due to snow and treacherous conditions & COVID 19. Under such conditions, every effort will be made to hold the race, but the director reserves the right to delay, shorten or even cancel the event. There is also the possibility that the United States Forest Service can cancel the race if the trail conditions could lead to irreparable damage to the trail or safety issues. There will be no refunds in the event of race cancellation.

Particpant Decision to Cancel Due to COVID - The race organizers plan to take extensive steps to reduce the risk of transmitting COVID. Unfortunately, all risk can not be eliminated. If a participant agrees to sign up for the Golden Leaf they do so with the understanding that COVID is a risk. If a participant then decides that they are not comfortable with the risk of COVID on race day, it is their decision to participate or not. Refunds will not be given for this reason. So, participants must make their decision to register for this race with the understanding that a refund will not given for a participant's decision to not participant due to COVID concerns.

Questions

For registration questions not answered by this website, please contact paul@utemountaineer.com. Please do not request entry into the race once registration has closed due to filling the race participation cap of 750 people.

+ Course

START & FINISH

Start: The race starts at 8:00 on Fanny Hill at the end of the Snowmass Village Mall. It is a mass start. For directions to the start, please see the “TRAVEL” section.

Finish: The finish line for the course is at Koch Park in Aspen.

HYDRATION STATIONS / CUT-OFF TIMES

There will be two hydration stations for the 2024 Golden Leaf. The first station will be at mile marker 4, where the Government Trail leaves the ski area service road. The second will be just after mile marker 8 on the service road where the Government Trail starts to cross West Buttermilk.

This is a running race (not walking). There will be cut-off times. The first cutoff time is 1 hr 10min at the 4 mile mark/1st aid station (where the Government Trail leaves the Elk Camp Ski Area Rd). The second cutoff time will be at 3 hrs 10 min at the paved Tiehack Road where the trail leaves the Buttermilk Ski Area - just after mile 11. If you cannot achieve these times, you will be asked to exit the race course and medical personnel and sweeps will pass by you.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The course description below is for the 2023 race. Changes in the course may be necessary – please check back in September for a final course description.

Course Map: To download a course map, please click here.

Course GPX File (9/7/24): click here

Course Data:

GPS Distance 13 mi

Total Ascent 1,262 ft

Min Altitude 7,921 ft

Max Altitude 9,488 ft

Course Description: The Golden Leaf starts on Fanny Hill just off the pedestrian mall in Snowmass Village at an elevation of about 8650ft. The course climbs up a ski area access road about 400 yards to a large maintenance building where the road splits. You will take the road that wraps around behind the building (going to the right). The road is fairly flat here for a few hundred yards. You will then turn left (just after passing a small beige building also on the left) onto a service road that goes up the Dawdler ski run. The uphill grind continues here. Continue climbing Dawdler to a 4-way intersection and take a left. Follow this road a couple hundred yards to a pond where there is a fork in the road. Take the right fork (the pond will be on your left) & ascend to the turnoff for the Governement Trail at about 1.63 miles (elevation approx. 9465 ft). The trail is to the left (east). It follows a well cut and marked trail until it meets the old trail just before the broken down footbridge that was at the old two mile mark.

The Government Trail is a single track that contours the mountainsides between Snowmass & Buttermilk before descending to the outskirts of Aspen. The trail is dirt with some obstacles (rocks, roots, etc.) and the terrain is hilly aspen forests & meadows. The 1st section is a rolling descent across Snowmass Ski Area. At about 3.25 miles, the trail merges w/a dirt road (Alpine Springs work road). Proceed downhill on this road and look for the trail to your right after 100 yards. Shortly, you will make a steady 100yd climb up a ski run to an abandoned work road. Follow this road to the left and slightly downhill until you intersect Elk Camp Road (approx. 4 miles). Turn left and go downhill on the road until you hit the Government Trail turn-off to the right. The 1st Hydration Station is at this trunoff. Take this to the right and you will be on the old race course alignment again. There are many signs and maps here. The course then continues on as it has in the past.

It goes down a long gradual hill to a meadow. Soon you will exit the ski area. There is a significant hill climb of about 300 ft. between 6 & 6.5 miles (with elevation approx. 9360 ft). After this hill, you are rewarded w/ some relatively flat to declining terrain.

The next landmark is a Forest Service gate (just after 8 miles) followed by a very rocky flat section. Shortly after you will reach the western boundary of Buttermil Ski Area and the 2nd Hydration STation. The course then begins a gradual descent across Buttermilk and eventuall the trail begins an extended steeper descent into Maroon Creek. One section of the downhill is a power line cut followed by an intersection with a service road. Abandon the trail and follow the road for about 400 yards, even though the trail falls steeply off to the left. You will reconnect with the trail shortly and it then diagonals across the ski slope following first a double track then a single track until it leaves the eastern margin of the ski area. The trail then winds down to the Tiehack road which is followed to the north until taking a hard right onto the Terral-Wade bridge. After crossing the bridge the route leaves the asphalt, taking a trail to the left (thru the Moore Property). After about a mile running in the sage the route leads out onto the Maroon Creek Pedestrian bridge, takes a left onto the bike path and takes the next left onto the Castle Creek Pedestrian bridge. On the path leaving the bridge where it takes a hard left the route takes a hard right instead. Follow a single track by a pond on the right. The path goes left here and diagonals to the community garden across the parapet/hanglider landing zone. The route goes right where the access to the garden is on the left and follows double tracks to the bike path leading over the Marolt bridge. Taking a left off of the bridge onto 7th street the route leads to Hopkins Ave. where it follows the adjacent bike path a few blocks until the turn up to Little Cloud Park. After taking this turn, a hard left is taken onto the dirt path on the old train right of way. The path is followed a few hundred yards to the finish line.

PLEASE NOTE – there may be changes to the course based on ski area maintenance and USFS requirements. Please check back 3 weeks prior to the race.

Caution! This is a backcountry race course and contains many obstacles including embedded rock, loose rocks and dirt,roots, water and more. The presence of bear, moose and mountain lion may exist also. In addition to possibly hazardous trail conditions, weather conditions can change rapidly in the Aspen Snowmass area. Whereas there are volunteer medical personnel along the course and at aid stations, there is no guarantee of rescue or medical attention. Each participant is ultimately responsible for their own rescue and preparation for course and weather conditions. This means carrying protective clothing in case of bad weather or injury. Rescue from an injury is not guaranteed and may be delayed due to other injuries or distance from medical personnel.

+ Race Details

RACE PACKETS

Bibs, Chips & Goody bags can be picked up at the Ute Mountaineer on Thursday 9/26 10-6:00, and Friday 9/27 10am-6pm. They can also be picked up race morning from 6:30-7:45am at the race start. The race start location remains the same - On Fanny Hill at the slope end of the Snowmass Village Mall. Race day packet pick-up location will be at the end of the Snowmass Village Mall - next to the lower level entrance to the Westin.

Important: To record your time, you must wear your bib upright (landscape orientation). If you turn it upside down or sideways, you may not get a time!

WE ENCOURAGE ALL RACE PARTICIPANTS TO PICK UP THEIR PACKETS PRIOR TO RACE DAY

TIMING CHIPS

Timing Chips are connected to your bib. If you lose your bib, you lose your timing chip – there is no replacement chip available. It is the racer’s responsibility to keep track of their bib/timing chip.

RACE RESULTS

Race results will be available after the races at the finish line, and at the Ute Mountaineer, and on this website on the Monday following the race. Race results will be overall, by gender and by age group. The following age group categories will be used: 13 & under, 14-18, 19-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+.

AWARDS & RAFFLE

The raffle will be pre drawn and available at the finish line – just bring your bib to the raffle tables to see if you have won anything. There will also be an awards ceremony. Awards will be for the top three male and female finishers (Cash: $250 1st, $150 2nd, $100 3rd) and by gender and age group (ribbons). All participants and volunteers are eligible for the raffle.

FOOD SERVICE

A lunch from Slo Groovin BBQ will be available to all race participants at the finish. Just present your race bib. This will be hole-punched to allow one time access to food. Food service begins approx 10:15am.

GEAR SHUTTLE

There will be a free gear shuttle from the start of the race to the finish line. We recommend using your own day pack as that is usually easier to find at the finish line. We will have bags and markers available at the start however.

MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

This is a backcountry race. There are many obstacles including imbedded rocks, loose rocks and dirt, tree roots, exposure, water crossings and more. Please take care while crossing these obstacles as they can result in serious injury or worse. There is no guarantee of rescue or medical attention. Each participant is ultimately responsible for their own rescue and preparation for course and weather condition. This means carrying protective clothing in case of bad weather or injury. Rescue from an injury is not guaranteed and may be delayed due to other injuries or distance from medical personnel.

There are volunteer medical personnel on the course. This is supplied by Mountain Rescue Aspen and Aspen Ambulance District. These volunteers will be either running the course, placed at aid stations and at the finish line. Assistance, if possible, may not be immediate, so you will need to be patient. If, unfortunately, you are injured on the course, we ask that you pass word on to an aid station via other runners or wait for assistance to come. If you’re injury allows you to hike out of the race or to continue following the course, you will be asked to do so. Remember, there may be a more serious injury on the course that becomes a higher priority for medical volunteers. If you decide to exit the course on your own, please inform medical or aid station personnel.

DEHYDRATION

Dehydration was prevalent during previous races. You can prevent this. At this time, aid stations will provide 1 cup of water or Skratch per participant. To prevent dehydration, make sure you are well hydrated in the few days leading up to the race. Also, you should consider carrying extra water, electrolyte drink and gels similar to what you would on a long training run. If aid stations are cancelled due to COVID safety precautions, you must completely self support.

QUESTIONS

For questions not answered by this website, please e-mail paul@utemountaineer.com.

+ Travel

Directions to Start: From Hwy 82, turn south on Brush Creek Rd towards Snowmass Village. Follow Brush Creek Rd until you hit the Main Bus Stop in Snowmass Village. The Snowmass Village Mall is on the same level as the bus stop. Follow the mall to the end. There will be signs directing you to registration. The actual starting line is out on the ski area slopes at the end of the mall.

Directions to Finish: From Snowmass Village Follow Hwy 82 into Aspen where it becomes Main Street. Before the first of 4 consecutive traffic lights (just after the Molly Gibson Lodge and before Paepcke Park) turn right on Garmisch St. The race finish is at Koch Park which is on the fourth block on your right.

PARKING IN SNOWMASS VILLAGE: There is free parking in Snowmass Village lots 1-5, 8, 10-13 with no time limit. There is also free parking in the Base Village parking garage -a ten minute walk up Fanny Hill to the start.

SHUTTLES / BUSSES:

Bus Service Regular RFTA bus service (no charge) runs all day from Rubey Park Bus Station in Aspen. Take a Roaring Fork Valley Local bus (ex: L Glenwood). These leave at :15 & :45 (starting 6:15) & arrive at Brush Creek Park & Ride (turnoff to Snowmass Vlg) 15 minutes later. You can also catch the VelociRFTA (BRT) from Aspen Rubey Park to Brush Creek Park & Ride at 6:20, 6:50, 7:05, 7:20. At Brush Creek Park & Ride, change bus to Snowmass Village (SM or SMV) bus. This bus leaves at 6:30. 7:00 & 7:30. It’s a tight connection and bus should wait but it is not guaranteed. So, give yourself plenty of time. You can also consider parking at the Brush Creek Park & Ride and taking the bus from there. For more info, go to rfta.com > Schedules & Maps > Roaring Fork Valley local & Snowmass Village.

Race Shuttle 25 person vans will be leaving Aspen (from in front of Wagner Park next to the Rubey Park Bus Station) for Snowmass Village at 6:30, 6:35, 7:15 & 7:20 with arrival in Snowmass Village 20 minutes later.

After the race, you can use the same RFTA bus service as it runs all day long from Rubey Park Bus Station in Aspen to Snowmass Village at :15 & :45 after the hour.

All buses may be subject to capacity restrictions.

LODGING

For lodging information in Aspen call 877-831-5645 or visit https://aspenchamber.org/plan-trip/accommodations

+ Results

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2017

2018

2019

2021

2022

2023