The Telluride Mountain Run is one of the most visually spectacular mountain running events in the American West, set above the jaw-dropping box canyon town of Telluride in the heart of Colorado’s San Juan Mountains. Runners navigate old mining roads, technical singletrack, and sweeping alpine tundra over mountain passes and exposed ridgelines, with portions of the course reaching above 13,000 feet. The 65-mile distance \u2014 new for 2026 \u2014 starts at 6:00 AM from Telluride Town Park and traverses some of the most dramatic high-altitude terrain available to any ultrarunner in North America.<\/p>\n
The 2026 Telluride Mountain Run takes place August 22\u201323. The 65-mile ultra starts Saturday, August 22, at 6:00 AM from Telluride Town Park with a mandatory safety meeting at 5:00 PM the evening before (Friday, August 21). The race is produced by Highline Running Adventures and registration opens February 1, 2026. Multiple distances are offered across the race weekend. The focus of every Telluride Mountain Run distance is the experience: the burn of high elevation, the striking colors of the San Juans, and the profound satisfaction of finishing in one of Colorado’s most beautiful towns.<\/p>\n
Telluride is widely regarded as the most beautiful mountain town in Colorado, and the Mountain Run gives athletes the opportunity to experience its backcountry on foot. The combination of extreme altitude, technical terrain, historic mining road character, and the backdrop of the San Juan Mountains \u2014 including peaks like Wilson, El Diente, and the Wilsons \u2014 creates a once-in-a-lifetime running experience. The post-race celebration in Telluride’s Main Street is a worthy reward for any finisher.<\/p>\n
Telluride sits at 8,750 feet with race terrain climbing to 13,000+ feet. For the 65-mile distance especially, arriving a week early for acclimatization is critical. August mountain weather in the San Juans is notoriously changeable \u2014 afternoon lightning storms are near-daily occurrences, and the high route segments have zero shelter. Carry mandatory emergency gear and familiarize yourself with the course cutoff requirements. Trail shoes with aggressive traction and rock plates are essential for the technical upper sections.<\/p>\n