TELLURIDE, Colo. – (June 1, 2017) – If you want to start Independence Day with a BANG, then it’s time to register for the Telluride Foundation’s seventh annual Rundola footrace. The race takes place on July 4th at 8a.m. 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, finishing at the top of the ridge that parallels the gondola, runners gain 1810 feet of elevation anyway they can—run, hike or crawl. Early bird prices are available at www.runreg.com through June 10th at 11:59p.m. MT.
“Registration is open, and we have many participants gearing up for the race,” said Katie Singer, Telluride Foundation Director of Marketing & Events. “The Rundola is growing each year and we expect it to fill up early. This year the race has two new categories for young athletes who want to race to the top: girls 12 years and under & boys 12 years & under. Our youngest racers will still have the option of “Kid’s Hill” untimed fun run with ribbons for participants. Racers, especially the locals, should take advantage of the early registration fee and sign up today.”
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. There is an elevation gain of 1,810 feet. 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. For more information on the Rundola including past results, please visit www.telluriderundola.com.
The Rundola is a family event. Early registration is $30 for timed categories and $15 for Kids Hill through 10p.m. MST June 10, 2017. The entry fee has not increased in seven years and includes a race shirt (adults), hat (Kids Hill), breakfast at Oak, and a chance to win great prizes. Registration prices rise to $35 for timed categories and $20 for Kids Hill on June 11- July 3, 2015. An on-site fee of $5 is added to the registration fee starting July 3, 2015. 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-; 19-29; 30-39; 40-49; 50-59; & Women 60 +. Medals will be awarded for the top three finishers in each timed category, and the winner of each category will receive a prize from Fuel Telluride and Telluride Sports. The fastest overall man and fastest overall woman will win a new GoPro provided by the Harris Family. 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 17. Kids Hill is approximately ¼ mile untimed fun run that starts 20 minutes after the Rundola begins. All kids participating in the Kid’s Hill race will receive breakfast, hats and ribbons.
An awards ceremony will start at 10a.m. 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. Lumiere Telluride, Fuel Telluride, Roma Bar & Grill (RBG), Telluride Sports, the Harris Family, Homeloan Insurance, Telluride Properties and Alpine Bank are sponsors of the 2017 event. The US Forest Service, Telluride Ski & Golf, and Mountain Village are supporters.
“We are thankful for the support of our sponsors. They enable us to have a great event while maintaining the same low entry fee,” said Singer. “Our sponsors provide incredible prizes and a quality race experience.”
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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