50k - 22 Mile - 12 Mile - 2 Mile Races
AUGUST 30, 2025
The Race Is On! The Creede Mountain Run, established in 1987, celebrates the end of summer and the beginning of fall in our small historic mountain town. This event offers participants the opportunity to enjoy the breathtaking San Juan Mountains in Colorado on a 2, 12, 22 mile, or 50K course!
The race begins within the town of Creede, leading racers along Main Street early in the morning, as sleepy stores open and coffee shop patrons step onto the street to cheer racers on. The course follows Willow Creek out of town and up towards the Black Pitch, testing their endurance for quick altitude gain while piquing their interest with old mines hanging precariously from vertical cliffs. The 12-milers round out the Bachelor Loop, while the 22-milers climb up to the top of the Continental Divide, before making their return into Creede and the finish line.
Registration for the 22 Mile and 50K CLOSES at midnight Aug 27, 2025. To ensure a safe race for all, there is NO DAY OF REGISTRATION for the 22mi & 50k races.
Registration for the 12 Mile and 2 Mile Run/Walk closes at 8:30am Aug 30, with a prompt 9:00 start time.
The Course
The 50k - 22 Mile - 12 Mile - and 2 Mile races begin within the city of Creede, a historic mining community in the San Juan Mountains at an elevation of 8850 feet. From Creede, the racers head north up Willow Creek Canyon for one of the toughest and scenic “up and over” races Colorado has to offer.
A gentle gain of 100 ft in the first mile leads to the turnaround where the 2 milers turn back and follow their tracks to the start/finish line.
The course continues up West Willow Canyon, facing a steep climb and passing historic mining sites in the rugged landscape. Racers have come to know a few of the tougher sections as “the Pitch” and “Heartbreak Hill,” both within the first 3 ½ miles.
The ascent continues a bit more gently to “Allen’s Crossing” where the 5-mile mark has an elevation of 10,500 feet. 12-mile racers continue on rolling terrain to the old Bachelor Townsite, elevation 10,700, followed by the brisk 4 ½ mile descent back into Creede on a well-graded dirt road. All 50K runners and 22 Mile Runners should be at Allen's Crossing within 1.5 hours.
22 milers and 50k runners should be just getting warmed up at “Allen’s Crossing” with the real climbing still ahead. The next 5 ½ miles run on jeep roads through the Equity Mine site and a section known as “The Ladders,” a series of chin-scraping hills that top out at 12,500 feet.
This is the Continental Divide, and runners should be prepared for anything Colorado mountain weather can dish out. Heat, lightning, rain, hail, snow, and wildlife might visit the course on race day. At least six miles of this section are exposed to the elements with nowhere to hide, so be ready!
After topping out, runners will enjoy the 2 ½ mile descent through the “Neverending Valley” followed by one last incline up from "Rat Creek," a late sting in the tail. At 18 ½ miles, the 22 milers reconnect with the 12-mile course and can savor the last few miles as they descend upon Creede.
Come test yourself and have fun in a challenge that the city of Creede has been proudly hosting 39 years!
