A quad and lung-searing challenge offering breathtaking views of the Yampa Valley, the Continental Divide Trail Run (CDTR) in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, is one of 11 races in the non-profit Steamboat Springs Running Series (SSRS), a Colorado staple that’s been around for 45 years. Celebrating its 28th iteration, this year’s CDTR featured the classic 50k and 16-mile races, with a more recently added 5-miler. The races start at the base of the Steamboat ski area, and climb 3,500 feet in the first 7+ miles through aspen and pine forests. Once on top of the ski area at 10,400 feet, 50k runners traverse the Mountain View Trail to serene Long Lake. This is a trail well known to anyone who has participated in the Run Rabbit Run 100, one of our partner races, making it the perfect tune-up race for those in the know. Runners then head back to the top of the ski area before they plunge over 8 miles down gorgeous single track to reach the base.
This year, after a week of smoke that had rolled in from the west, race day dawned cool and clear before warming up in the afternoon sun, highlighting the last of summer’s wildflowers. Under these conditions, we saw Michael Mitchell blaze to a win in 4:18:44 in the men’s 50k, followed closely by Anthony Lee and former champ Steve Cornelius. What’s great about the 50k is that on the extended out-and-back, we get to see the front-runners. As the long-time director of the SSRS, I’m lucky I get to run some of the races because of our amazing volunteer RDs, like Amy O’Connell and Sarah Pizzo, who did a fantastic job again this year, bringing nearly 300 runners to the finish. At the forefront of our minds this year was past RD Alex Pashley, who co-directed the race for many years and was instrumental in adding the 50k distance. Alex tragically passed away this year in an avalanche in Canada, and many of us carried his memory and wit with us throughout the day.
In the women’s race, Kristina Mascarenas had the performance of the day with a blistering 4:36:04, eclipsing legendary Courtney Dauwalter’s course record. When I saw Kristina on the out-and-back, she looked strong and calm. Kristina was followed by Jenna Bensko and Brianna Costigan. In the 16-mile race, we had multi-time champ Daniel Goding with the win followed by local Nordic skier Henry Magill and Ryan Bernhardt. In the women’s 16-mile race, the podium was full of fast local ladies led by perennial podium finisher Pearson Alspach, followed by Britt Lynch and Reall Reagan.
With the long history of running in Steamboat, our series is committed to giving back, a model not always easy to sustain in today’s world. Nevertheless, it is our commitment to host challenging but inclusive races for all to enjoy while supporting the community that we love so much. Each of our events helps fund different regional nonprofits. In this spirit, the CDTR donates to the Trail Maintenance Endowment Fund, a local resource that’s been permanently established to support the ongoing maintenance of non-motorized trails and trailheads on public lands in Routt and neighboring Moffat Counties. To date, the series, through the CDTR race, is the largest single benefactor to this fund, helping to support the public lands that we cherish.
A running community and race series like this does not happen overnight; they are cultivated by decades of community service, volunteerism, generous sponsors and a deep love for the mountains. Perhaps old school in 2025, but we wouldn’t have it any other way.
Full results here.