Running the Transrockies Run
Crossing the finish line on Day 3 of the Transrockies Run in 2022.
As a trail runner who is always up for a good adventure, I knew it was time to throw on my trail running shoes and head to Colorado when the Transrockies Run popped up in my Instagram feed one day
What is TransRockies Run (TRR)?
It is a multi-day race held each August in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado where runners can choose to run the full 6-day event or opt for the shorter 3-day option.
TRR will be going into its 17th year this summer, and is lovingly known as camp for big kids.
I have run the 3-day race two years in a row now, in 2022 and 2023 and had a TON of fun. For 2024, I am headed to a different Transrockies Race Series event in September, the Transrockies Golden Ultra. But I will probably be back in 2025 for TRR because it’s just so dang fun!
Okay, how does this multi-day race work?
There’s a bit of magic camaraderie about TRR that you don’t quite understand until you actually get out there on your first day. You feel the stoke of 350 other runners, start jamming to the pre-race tunes at the start line, see the cheesy (and nervous) smiles on everyone’s faces, and the TRR vibe starts taking a hold on you.
That’s when the race start countdown begins….10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 and GO!!!
Day 1 of my first TRR in 2022.
For both the 6-day and the 3-day race option Days 1, 2, and 3 run the same course.
This is how it works:
Runners go out and run the designated race mileage for that day. There is usually at least a 7-8 hr cutoff for each day, so folks have plenty of time to finish. Starting Day 2, there is even a “Dawn Patrol” group that leaves an hour and a half early for those folks who plan to hike the whole distance.
Once you’re done running for the day, you pick up your camping gear, find a tent, and then usually head to the portable showers to clean up and get a massage if you signed up for one. There is also a small Awards ceremony around 4 p.m. each day for the overall and age group winners of each day’s distance.
Dinner is around 5 p.m. each day, so you can eat and then hang out in Chillville to rest, play games, etc.
After dinner, you are usually back in food tent at 6:30 p.m. for a race briefing that will give you the details of the next day’s route and share fun photos/videos from earlier in the day.
Once the race briefing is over, you can head back to Chillville or hit your tent to get ready for the next day.
A side view of Chillville where all the sponsors have tents set up each day.
The key to remember is that while TRR is TONS of fun with themed aid stations, costumed volunteers cheering for you, fun hangouts after the race each evening, lots of good food, and stunning scenery – this is still a HARD trail race. You will even get to run a part of the Leadville 100 ultramarathon route.
In fact, the entire multi-day race takes place between 7,000 – 12,500 ft. You are running up and down mountains, through some streams, and have the real possibility of seeing bears. So, lace up your big kid shoes because you will work to get to the finish line each day.
To give you an idea of what each day’s running entails, here is the mileage and elevation gain breakdown by day:
· Day 1 = 20 miles with 2200 ft of elevation gain
· Day 2 = 13 miles with 3,100 ft of elevation gain
· Day 3 = 24 miles with 2,300 ft of elevation gain. (This is where the 3-day race ends)
· Day 4 = 14 miles with 2,800 ft of elevation gain
· Day 5 = 23.5 miles with 4,000 ft of elevation gain
· Day 6 = 22.5 miles with 4,500 ft of elevation gain
Almost to the top of Hope Pass (elevation 12,500 ft) on Day 2 in 2022.
For more info on the course, the TRR site has all the details.
How do I know if TRR is for me?
Easy answer. If you like panting savagely while trying to hike/crawl up a steep mountain, aid stations staffed by volunteers sporting inflatable flamingoes, hugs from people in bear suits, and running madly down a hill convinced you’re going to make up time after that 25 min mile suffer sweat fest up to 12,000+ ft…this race is for you!
So, are you in? Great! Knew you would be stoked to give it a whirl.
I found Gandalf at the top of Hope Pass in 2023!
How to enter TRR
Though this is not a lottery race, it still is pretty popular and sells out every year. Here are three ways you can get in.
Use as sidebar box: 2024 dates are: August 12-17 starting in Buena Vista, CO, USA
Pay for your registration.
Volunteer at TRR one year, get a free registration for the next year.
Represent a sponsor or other team who is looking for runners.
Here’s the skinny on the 3 options.
1. Pay for your race registration. The ole traditional way of plunking down your hard-earned dollars to go run around the mountains, poop in a porta john, and eat food in a tent every day! And guess what? You’re gonna love doing it all!
I will say though, that the TRR entry fee is not cheap. But good news, people come from all over the world to do this (I met folks from as far away as South Africa my first year), and if you’re a Type 2 fun person, then this is pretty much a rad vacation or you.
The cost breakdown per entry option currently is:
6-day: $2399 per person if you are running as a team, $2599 if you are running solo
3-day: $1549 per person (no team option for the 3-day)
I know, I know! The price tag can hurt if you think of it just as a race registration. But keep in mind, this is a multi-day race and TRR provides a lot over the six days such as 2 large meals a day, fully stocked aid stations, camp setup, and tents for you to sleep in each day.
Your registration fee includes views like this!
For a full list of services that are included in entry fee, click here. (Scroll down the page to get to the exact spot.)
That being said, if the price is still making you hesitate, don’t give up entering just yet because I have….a discount code!
Plug in the discount code, NWR100, online when you register and you will get $200 off your entry fee. In full transparency, TRR often does run other special pricing promos on its social media pages throughout the year, so it is worth it to check if my code or another discount will be the best option for you.
IMPORTANT: Hurry and register if you want to use the discount code. As of now, TRR is already 85% full (as of today) if you want to run in 2024.
Note: the prices listed above do not include add-ons that TRR offers like airport shuttle service, sleeping pad rental, extra food pass for anyone traveling with you who is not a runner, etc. The only extra I have purchased in my two years of running it has been a daily massage after the race. Worth it, friends.
If you are interested in learning more about those extras before you register online, then check out the pricing page of the TRR website. It has all the add-on information that you need.
The TRR duffle is included with your race reg fee and is what you put all your gear in that is moved from campsite to campsite each day. Don’t worry about fitting all your stuff - even my teammate Missy could fit inside!
2. Volunteer at TRR one year, get a free registration for the next year. I love that TRR offers this volunteer program since it makes the event accessible for anyone as long as you are willing to work for your registration fee first.
So, how it works is that if you volunteer for the 6-day event one year, then you will get a free registration for the following year! Lots of people do this each year, with some people alternating each year whether they volunteer or run.
Just like the runners, volunteers get their tents and food taken care, plus get some cool volunteer swag. So, all you need to do is get to the race, and then you’re set.
One thing to note though, is that while all the volunteers that I have talked to agree that volunteering is a lot of fun, they all reiterate that it is hard work for the entire week. So, if that doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, you may want to plan for another way to fund your TRR race.
TRR volunteers set this whole camp up. Even the tents.
3. Represent a sponsor or other team who is looking for runners. This option is dependent on a lot, but since this is how I have been able to run TRR for the last two years, I had to mention it.
Sponsor route. TRR has several sponsors which is normal for any race, and while some of the sponsors send their own runners to compete in the race (Under Armor does this), at least one of the sponsors has created a team of two runners to represent them by asking people apply via social media. If you win, you get a free entry for two people to run Transrockies while representing Kahtoola.
Kahtoola has done this for the past 3 years. In fact, there is still 2 more days to enter if you and another person are interested in representing them as a team. Each year, they have different requirements. But head to their Instagram for all the details.
Other teams running TRR. Transrockies is a big on inclusivity and making sure there is representation for marginalized communities at their events.
One of the ways they do this is by offering some entries to a few organizations in the BIPOC community. Native Women Runnning (NWR) is the non-profit that I am a part of and for the first time in 2022, TRR offered NWR two comped entries which is actually how I was able to participate.
In 2022, NWR posted that they were looking for Native women runners to run TRR. I applied and was chosen with another Native runner from Arizona. When a different race sponsor offered NWR a third comped entry, our team was rounded out to three runners. Marlinda, Jo, and I were the first NWR team at TRR in 2022 and even though we didn’t know each other until we arrived at the race, we quickly bonded and had a blast.
The 2022 NWR team - Jo, Marlinda, and myself. This was the end of the race for us on Day 3. We look tired because we just finished running 24.5 miles.
In 2023, I was asked back to lead the NWR team running TRR, and I met my two other NWR teammates, Tish & Missy, at the race in August.
Our 2023 NWR team = Me, Tish, and Missy.
If running with Native Women Running (NWR) sounds interesting, I encourage you to follow NWR on Instagram and Facebook because they now have partnerships with several races across the US and Canada. Which means that they are regularly looking for runners to represent NWR at these events.
There is an application process and for some of the races (like TRR) there may only be a few spots on the NWR team so it can get competitive since several runners apply. But be patient, stay involved, and feel free to tag NWR in all your running adventures on Instagram and Facebook.
I have also seen the District Running Collective and Harlem Run at TRR, but I am not sure how they pick their runners or how many they send. If you are located in their communities then you can always reach out to them for more information.
Okay, I can feel that my Type 2 friends are probably ready to go, but before I leave you, here are some tips to help you get ready for the big TRR dance.
Get Ready for TRR Tips
For TRR first-timers, here are my top tips:
Read the TRR race guide twice (at least).
First time - shortly after registering so you know how to prep, train, what items you may need to secure before the race, and how to arrange any of the shuttle services to/from the airport. (Pro tip…shuttle reservations can fill up fast, so reserve those as soon as you can.)
Second time – Before you start packing for the race, read the race guide again so you what to bring (they have a great packing list), when to arrive, where to go for registration, and what to expect your first day. Reading the race guide will ensure that you are “in the know” and help to settle any nerves that you may have.
2. Join the Facebook group. The FB group is full of folks who do TRR every year, or have done it multiple times so these people have everything from the packing list to training down to a science. Everyone is super friendly and you can ask any question that you want. Also, this is a great way to connect with other runners before you even get to the race. For those that like to know ALL the info before the race, you can also attend one of the free online info sessions that the Race Director, Houda, holds. After registering for the race, stay tuned to your email for race updates that will share those info seh dates.
3. Sign up for the daily massages. This will cost you extra, but a 30 minute massage after my run everyday is what enabled me to run the next day with little to no soreness. Last year, the cost was $25 per 15 minute increment. 30 minutes was enough for me each day. So, $50 per day plus a $10 tip. Of course, tip is up to you. And I recommend that you bring cash for this. There is wifi in the camp at some locations, but it can be spotty. Last year, it took my friend’s transaction on her card 30 minutes to go through just to pay for the massage. Meanwhile, I paid in cash and just walked away after I was done.
5. Get the HEST mattress. – If you are a camper who loves sleeping on the hard, cold ground or your skinny, inflatable mattress pad that always leaks air, you can skip this recommendation. But if you are a bit of a bougie runner like me and have not slept on the ground since the family camping trip when you were 8 years old, may I suggest investing in the HEST mattress. Yes, it is ridiculously expensive and bulky, but your sweet sleep after running 20+ miles is totally worth it! But before making the big purchase, look out for a 15% discount code because HEST usually offers one for TRR runners as the race date gets closer.
Since HEST is a sponsor, this is the one extra thing besides your TRR bag that the luggage crew will transport for you every day to the new camp spot. I used my mattress for 2022 and 2023 and was the envy of many a fellow runner when I picked up my mattress after running 20 miles that day.
That’s all for now…
If you’re looking for more info before making the decision to run the race, they you will want to check out the TRR website which I have linked all over this article, but will link here for you again. On the site, they have the Race Guide, packing list, event schedule, and so much more.
But if I can help you with any questions, please send them my way. I hope you do register for the race. Because TRR is one adventure you won’t forget!
