VRD's La Sportiva Vail Mountain Trail Running Series kicks off with Boneyard Boogie

The Vail Recreation District's (VRD) 2012 La Sportiva Vail Mountain Trail Running Series, presented by Columbia, will kick off the trail running race season on Saturday (May 19) with the Boneyard Boogie 10k in Eagle.

The Boneyard Boogie trail run, which is presented by the Dusty Boot, will begin at 9 a.m. behind Eagle Valley Middle School at the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) trailhead, located in the Bluffs Neighborhood in Eagle. The trail includes a switchback single track through the heavily wooded BLM area emerging from the trees and into rolling sagebrush fields.

Runners will encounter some trail splits along the way, plus several short bursting climbs. Once at the top of the climb, the single track trail descends to the Eagle Pool and Ice Arena for an extended downhill run to the finish.

Last year's Boneyard Boogie.

Day-of registration will take place from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. at the Eagle Pool and Ice Rink on the morning of the race. Number pick up for preregistered runners will take place at the start of the race.

The race is a point-to-point run with a one mile distance between the start and finish. Racers are encouraged to park at the Eagle Pool and take a warm-up run to Eagle Valley Middle School for the start of the race. Parking will also be available at Eagle Valley Middle School and there will be free shuttle service provided by AmericaInn for race participants from the pool to the trailhead.

Following the race, runners will enjoy a brunch, compliments of the Dusty Boot in Eagle. Directions to the start are available by clicking here.

The Boneyard Boogie is the first scoring race in the La Sportiva Vail Mountain Trail Running Series, Colorado's premier trail running series, which is celebrating its 15th season. The seven-race series runs May through September and includes distances ranging from a 5k (3.2 miles) to a half marathon (13.1 miles).

The race series was named Best Race Series in 2005 and 2008, the Vail Half Marathon named Most Scenic Race in 2010 and the Vail Hill Climb was honored as the best non-ultra race in 2011 by readers of Colorado Runner magazine.

Columbia Sportswear will be providing all running participants at each race with it's innovative Omni-Freeze ICE tech T-shirts, a temperature-regulating, super ventilated T-shirt, plus technical clothing for VRD staff, volunteers and medical staff.

The Omni-Freeze ICE® shirts each runner will receive capitalizes on sweat to lower the fabric temperature, creating an immediate cooling sensation. When a runner gets hot, it gets cool. Additionally, with UPF 50 sun protection, quick-wicking fabric and antimicrobial treatment, the shirts have the ultimate technology to ensure each runner stays dry, cool and protected.

The La Sportiva race series continues on June 16, featuring the La Sportiva Summer Solstice 5k and 10k trail run at Beaver Creek. The Summer Solstice will take runners up and along Beaver Creek Mountain with finishers and their families enjoying a BBQ and live music following the event.

All Summer Solstice proceeds benefit the Vail Valley Charitable Fund. The next race will head to Vail on Saturday, July 7 for the 36th running of the La Sportiva Vail HillClimb. This 7.5 mile route offers 2,200 foot vertical ascent from the base of Vail Mountain to the summit and is the largest event in the series. On Sunday, July 22, runners will test themselves during the La Sportiva Vail Half Marathon on a new course that will include pristine views on both single track and double track on Vail Mountain.

The fifth event, the Berry Picker trail run, will take place Sunday, Aug. 5 and take runners 3.2 miles up a tough single track from the base of Vail Mountain to the top at Eagle's Nest. The La Sportiva 10k and 5k at 10,000 Feet will then be held on Sunday, Aug. 26 with runners riding the Eagle Bahn Gondola to the race start area. The entire race is above 9,000 feet with high points above 10,000 feet.

The final race of the series, the La Sportiva Evergold 11k and 5k on Sunday, Sept. 16, will begin at the Vail Golf Club and traverse Vail Mountain back to the golf club with an end-of-season brunch for participants and celebration at Happy Valley Grill.

Individual race costs are $28 for preregistration or $38 on race-day for all races except the Summer Solstice. Summer Solstice race fees are $35 for preregistration and $45 on race-day. Registration is available by clicking here or at www.active.com.

Prizes will be presented to the top three finishers of each age group at each race, with series prizes awarded to the top three finishers who compete in at least five events. Raffle prize drawings also will be held at each awards ceremony featuring products from area merchants and national companies.

Joining 2012 series title sponsor La Sportiva and presenting sponsor Columbia Sportswear are Vail Resorts, Beaver Creek Resort Company, FirstBank of Vail, Vail's Mountain Haus, Apex Dental, Central Rockies Mortgage, Big Delicious Catering, Smart Wool, Tiga Advertising, Howard Head Sports Medicine Centers, Steadman Clinic, Gatorade, KZYR, Road ID, Dusty Boot, Trek Light, Optic Nerve and Camelbak. Photos of the 2011 race series are available by going to http://www.mcclarrinonphotography.com.

Volunteers are needed at each race and will receive a T-shirt and other items for their help.

For more information or to become a race series sponsor, call the VRD Sports Department at 970-479-2280 or go to www.vailrec.com.