TELLURIDE, Colo. – (May 30, 2019) – If you want to start Independence Day with a BANG, then it’s time to register for the Telluride Foundation’s ninth annual Rundola footrace. Beginning at 8am on July 4th, the Rundola is an uphill footrace open to anyone who wants to celebrate the holiday with a physical challenge. Starting from the base of the gondola in Telluride and finishing at the top of the ridge that parallels the gondola, runners gain 1,810 feet of elevation any way they can — run, hike or crawl. Early bird prices are available at www.runreg.com through June 10th at 11:59pm MST.
“Registration is open, and we have many participants gearing up for the race,” said Katie Singer, Telluride Foundation Events Director. “I am thankful to our sponsors: YETI Coolers, Telluride Sports, Zia Sun, the National, Telluride Eco Cleaners, Telluride Properties, The North Face, Animas Plastic Surgery, Lumiere Telluride, Home Loan Insurance, and Alpine Bank. Thanks to them, we can offer a quality race at the same affordable price for the last 9 years. This year YETI Coolers & the National will reward the fastest overall man & woman, while Telluride Sports and The North Face will provide prizes for each first place category.”
Runners start at the base of the gondola on the Town of Telluride side and finish at the top of the ridge, between the top of Lift 7 and the Nature Center. Runners can choose their own route up the mountain – they can take the 4,600 foot Telluride Trail with an average grade of 13% or bushwhack straight up the mountain for an even steeper climb. The course record is held by Daniel Kraft in 2012 with a time of 21:43.36. The women’s record is held by Nora Coennen in 2013 with a time of 27:29.81.
The Rundola is a family event. Early registration is $30 for timed categories and $16 for Kids Hill through 11:59pm MST June 10, 2019. The entry fee has not increased in nine years and includes a race shirt (adults), hat (Kids Hill), breakfast at Oak, and a chance to win great prizes. Registration prices rise to $40 for timed categories and $20 for Kids Hill on June 11 through July 3, 2019. An on-site fee of $5 is added to the registration fee starting July 3, 2019. Participants register in one of the following categories: Boys 12 & under; Men 13-18, 19-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60+; Girls 12 & under; Women 13-18, 19-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, & 60+. Top three finishers in each timed category will receive medals, and the winner of each category will receive a prize from Telluride Sports & The North Face. The fastest overall man and fastest overall woman will win two new YETI Coolers & a gift certificate to the National. Please visit https://www.runreg.com/rundola-tellurides-fourth-of-july-race to register.
Kids 12 and under have the choice of an untimed fun run, “Kid’s Hill,” or racing to the top of lift 7. Kids Hill is approximately ¼ mile untimed fun run that starts at 8:30am. All kids participating in the Kid’s Hill race will receive breakfast, hats and ribbons.
An awards ceremony will start at 10am at Oak Restaurant next to the gondola station in Telluride. All registered participants receive a meal during the awards ceremony. The Rundola is organized and hosted by the Telluride Foundation. YETI Coolers, Telluride Sports, Zia Sun, the National, Telluride Eco Cleaners, Telluride Properties, The North Face, Animas Plastic Surgery, Lumiere Telluride, Home Loan Insurance, and Alpine Bank are sponsors of the 2019 event. The US Forest Service, Telluride Ski & Golf, and Mountain Village are supporters.
The Telluride Foundation exists to create a stronger Telluride community through the promotion and support of philanthropy. It is a nonprofit, apolitical community foundation that provides year-round support for local organizations involved in arts, education, athletics, charitable causes, land conservation and other community-based efforts through technical assistance, education and grant making. As a grant maker, The Foundation awards grants to qualified applicants that serve the people living and working in the Telluride area for the purpose of enhancing the quality of life within the region. For more information on the Telluride Foundation, visit www.telluridefoundation.org.
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