On a hazy September morning, just outside of Empire, Colorado, 350 participants lined up for the 11th annual Devil on the Divide 50K/22K. No spectators, no start arch or banners, just a couple of cones, a timing mat and the ridgeline of the Continental Divide towering above. With a quick, “Ready, set, go!” the 50k and 22k runners took off to tackle what might be the most beautiful, challenging and enjoyable race in Colorado.
As the race director, I’m totally biased, but I truly believe we have something unique and special. And by “we” I mean the volunteers, the runners and the community that make up the Devil on the Divide family.
The course is breathtaking – both literally and figuratively – reaching a high point of 13,200 feet along the Divide, making it the highest 50k in Colorado and, to my knowledge, the highest in the US. The 50k climbs 6,500 feet with 80 percent of the course above 10,000 feet. The views are expansive, and the route is demanding. The second half of the course is remote with miles of undefined, off-camber trail.
Paul Parson from Arvada, Colorado, was the final competitor to cross the finish line with a time of 10:42:27, easily beating the 11-hour cut-off. Not many race write-ups mention the last finisher, especially when elite runners like Zach Miller crushed the course, cruising to a first-place time of 4:32:38 – the second-fastest finish in course history. However, this event is just as much for Paul, as it is for Zach, and everyone in between. Rounding out the bookends of finishers, Morgan Carter of Golden, Colorado, finished in 10:17:15, and Nora Rex of Boulder led the women with a time of 5:30:06.
Our no-frills, grassroots family approach focuses on the participant experience. This year, as always, not a single table or chair under the massive 40×60-foot fest tent was put away until the last runner finished. We always have hot, homemade food – think hearty soups and treats made by Mom – and cold beverages waiting to welcome every runner, many of whom are hobbling by the time they reach the unadorned, yet joyful finish line at the Empire Ball Field. Previous finishers, pros and weekend warriors alike, stay well past their own finish, socializing and cheering in every last runner. To be fair, it could also be the free-flowing Tommyknocker beer that keeps folks around.
Our event, and the Devil on the Divide family, is unique. It really is our event; the volunteers and runners make it what it is. Runners return year after year, and most of the 75-plus volunteers have been with us since the very beginning. We have runners who become volunteers, and volunteers who have become runners. The small town of Empire, Colorado, and Clear Creek County welcome the event and every participant with open arms and love. The mountains and rugged terrain shape the course, but it’s the people that truly shape this race.
Full results here.