Boneyard Boogie race kicks off Vail Mountain Trail Running Series on Saturday

The Vail Recreation District's 2013 La Sportiva Vail Mountain Trail Running Series, presented by Columbia, will kick off the trail running race season on Saturday, May 18, with the Boneyard Boogie 10k in Eagle.

The Boneyard Boogie 10k trail run, which is sponsored by the Dusty Boot, will begin at 9 a.m. behind Eagle Valley Middle School at the Bureau of Land Management trailhead, located in the Bluffs Neighborhood.

Individual race costs are $29 for preregistration or $39 on race-day. Runners also can register for the entire race series for $180 by Thursday (5-16). Registration is available online at www.vailrec.com/boneyardboogie.cfm or at www.active.com until 5 p.m. on Friday (5-17). Day-of registration will take place from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. at the Eagle Pool and Ice Rink.

The trail running race will include a switchback single track through the 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 steeply to the Eagle Pool and Ice Arena for an extended downhill run to the finish. Additionally, if the course records are broke this weekend, East West Resorts will award $200 to either or both the male and female who break the records. The course records are held by John Tribbia who ran 41:44 in 2011 and Deanna Audrey who ran a 44:22 in 2012.

Racers are encouraged to park at the Eagle Pool for day-of registration and either use the free shuttle service provided by AmericInn from the pool/rink to the race start or take a one mile warm-up run along the bike path to the trailhead start area.

Parking and bib pickup will also be available at the Eagle Valley Middle School for preregistered racers. Racers are asked to not park in the Bluffs neighborhood.

Following the race at the finish area, runners will enjoy Racer Refuel from HP's Provisions including energy-packed items such as muffins, mini frittatas, bananas and granola to jump start recovery. A participant brunch will also be available at the post-race party at the Dusty Boot, compliments of the Dusty Boot in Eagle.

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 16th 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 HillClimb was honored as the best non-ultra race in 2011 by readers of Colorado Runner magazine.

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. La Sportiva will provide winners of each age category a pair of mountain running shoes of their choice, and Columbia will be providing all running participants at each race, except the Summer Solstice, with its innovative Omni-Freeze Zero® tech T-shirts, a temperature-regulating shirt that allows sweat to react with blue rings to lower the temperature of the material. Raffle prize drawings also will be held at each race awards ceremony featuring products from area merchants and national companies.

Following the Boneyard Boogie, the La Sportiva race series will take runners to Beaver Creek for the Summer Solstice 5k, 10k and Kid's Fun Run at 9:30 a.m. on June 22, a benefit for the Vail Valley Charitable Fund, with runners enjoying single track that winds through the forest and showcases a variety of terrain.

At 8 a.m. on Saturday, July 6 the 37th running of the Vail HillClimb will take runners from the base of Vail Mountain to Eagle's Nest for 7.5 miles of uphill running.

At 8 a.m. on Sunday, July 21, runners will be challenged during the Vail Half Marathon, taking runners on a demanding 13.1 mile run on Vail Mountain.

Following the Vail Half Marathon, beginning at 8 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 4, the Berry Picker 5k trail run will take participants on an intense 3.2 mile climb from the base of Vail Mountain in Lionshead to Eagle's Nest at the top of Vail Mountain.

Runners will then enjoy spectacular views and trail running during the 5k and 10k@10,000 Feet, which takes place at 9 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 25 at the top of Vail Mountain with the majority of the race above 9,000 feet in elevation.

The final race of the season, the EverGold 5k and 11k is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 15 and will feature single and double track trails from the Vail Golf Club to Vail Mountain and back and showcase Vail's stunning fall foliage. A full listing and details are available by going to www.vailrec.com/trailrunningseries.cfm.

Partners and sponsors are being sought for the 2013 Trail Running Series with a variety of opportunities available. Joining 2013 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, Peter Rabbit Organics, Northside Coffee and Kitchen, HP's Provisions, Mountainsmith, Tiga Advertising, Howard Head Sports Medicine Centers, The Steadman Clinic, Steadman Phillipon Research Institute, Trail Runner Magazine, Anthem Branding, AmericInn, Gatorade, Elevation Outdoors, New York Life, KZYR 97.7, Road ID, Dusty Boot, Trek Light, Optic Nerve and Camelbak.

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/trailrunningseries.cfm.