Run Rabbit Run 100 Race Guide
Race Name
The Run Rabbit Run 100 Mile Endurance Run is an iconic mountain ultramarathon held in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Known simply as RRR100, this challenging event attracts both elite “Hares” chasing prize money and dedicated “Tortoises” seeking a personal conquest. The race weaves through the Routt National Forest and Emerald Mountain, showcasing alpine vistas, verdant forests, and dramatic ski area terrain. Each year the event draws 350 runners to tackle its storied course.
When It Is Run
Run Rabbit Run 100 takes place annually in mid-September, with the 2025 race held on Friday, September 12, 2025, at 9:00 AM for Tortoises and 1:00 PM for elite Hares. The date captures the precious Colorado fall foliage season, when daytime highs typically reach the mid-60s°F and nights dip into the 30s°F. Afternoon thunderstorms are a common occurrence above treeline, adding weather navigation to the race’s challenges. The finish cutoff is Saturday at 11:00 PM, giving runners a 38-hour window to complete the distance.
How to Qualify or Register
Registration for RRR100 opens in January on UltraSignup and is limited to 350 entrants, filling rapidly each year. No formal qualifying race standards are required, but entry is on a first-come, first-served basis with a waitlist maintained once the field caps. Runners pay an entry fee of $375 before January 1, increasing to $475 by July 1, and $575 thereafter. A zero-refund policy applies, but runners who withdraw by September 6 may receive a credit toward the next year if their slot fills from the waitlist. A strict anti-doping policy requires all entrants to comply with WADA rules.
Particular Challenges
The RRR100 course offers roughly 20,000 feet of total climbing and descent over its 100-mile length, concentrated in sustained alpine sections and steep ski runs. Runners face two major climbs to Mount Werner and Emerald Mountain, each gaining over 3,500 feet in under seven miles. Altitude begins at 6,900 feet and peaks at 10,568 feet on Mount Werner, exposing participants to thin air and demanding careful acclimatization. Technical terrain, including rocky singletrack, steep ATV roads, and fast ski-area descents, tests both physical endurance and downhill confidence. Unpredictable weather, from intense sun to sudden hail and lightning, further heightens the difficulty.
Course Format
Run Rabbit Run follows an out-and-back to a lollipop loop format starting and ending at the Steamboat Springs ski area base. Runners depart the ski area, ascend Heavenly Daze and Why Not ski runs to reach the Continental Divide Trail, then turn west for the out-and-back loop to Emerald Mountain. After returning to the divide junction, an auxiliary loop returns runners to the main trail for the final descent back to the ski area. This mix of out-and-back and loop ensures variety while centralizing start and finish logistics for crews and spectators.
Elevation Profile
The course gains and loses approximately 20,391 feet of elevation, although many GPS tracks report closer to 17,000 feet due to minor route variations. The start at 6,900 feet rises to 10,568 feet at Mount Werner within 5.3 miles, then drops and climbs again to an unnamed 10,557-foot point before looping around Emerald Mountain. The return to Mount Werner crest adds another 3,000 feet of climbing before a final 5,000-foot descent to the ski area. Long stretches above treeline and repeated steep ascents during the back half of the race make cumulative fatigue and muscle damage inevitable challenges.
Terrain Breakdown
About 80% of the course runs on singletrack trails, weaving through alpine meadows, dense aspen groves, and rocky ridgelines. Rough forest service roads and ATV tracks account for roughly 15%, often serving as crucial connectors between aid stations. The remaining 5% comprises gravel service roads and ski-area runs that offer faster descent but require caution on loose surfaces. Stream crossings and occasional muddy patches during wet years demand sturdy trail footwear and vigilant foot placement throughout the rugged landscape.
Time Limit & Cutoffs
Runners must finish within 38 hours, with the clock stopping at 11:00 PM on Saturday. Intermediate cutoffs enforce progress at key aid stations, such as Mount Werner (mile 5.3) by 11:00 AM on Friday and Emerald Mountain aid (mile 19) by 6:00 PM, ensuring participants maintain minimum pacing. Additional cutoffs at Long Lake (mile 28) by midnight and Storm Peak (mile 80) by Saturday afternoon test endurance in the late stages. Medical and volunteer staff monitor runners for hypothermia, dehydration, and altitude-related issues, withdrawing any participant deemed unsafe to continue.
Aid Stations
Run Rabbit Run 100 features nine main aid stations positioned approximately every 10 to 12 miles on the out-and-back plus lollipop loop course. The first aid station is at Long Lake (mile 10), followed by Storm Peak (mile 20), Emerald Mountain (mile 30), Rabbit Ears Pass (mile 40), Montgomery Reservoir (mile 50), and the halfway turnaround at Steamboat Ski Area (mile 50). Runners then revisit most stations on the return leg, finishing with the final aid at Long Lake (mile 90) before the 10-mile descent to the finish. Crews may access four designated stations—Long Lake, Emerald Mountain, Montgomery Reservoir, and the Ski Area turnaround—where drop bags are allowed and support crews can refuel and encourage their runners.
Mandatory Gear
All participants must carry a working headlamp with spare batteries for overnight sections, along with a hydration system capable of holding at least 1.5 liters of fluid. Weather in the Steamboat Mountains can shift rapidly, so runners are required to pack a waterproof jacket with taped seams, thermal pants or tights, a hat, and gloves to handle cold alpine temperatures. A basic first-aid kit containing blister care supplies and pain relievers is mandatory, and runners must also carry enough food to supplement aid station offerings during long stretches between stations. While GPS devices are not required, a fully charged cell phone with course GPS loaded is strongly recommended for emergencies or to confirm navigation in poor visibility.
Crew & Pacing
Support crews play a vital role at Run Rabbit Run but are limited to four crew-accessible locations to minimize environmental impact and parking congestion on narrow forest roads. Each runner receives one vehicle pass for those stations and must follow strict parking instructions to avoid impeding forest service access. Pacers are permitted to join runners at the Ski Area turnaround at mile 50, and only one pacer per runner is allowed until the final 20 miles, where additional pacers may join to help navigate the steep ski-run descent. Pacers must sign waivers, carry the mandatory headlamp, and check in with race officials at the Ski Area before accompanying their runner.
Navigation
The course is marked with bright orange banners, reflective flags, and arrows at every junction, with extra markers placed at complex lollipop loop intersections around Emerald Mountain. Mile-marker signs provide distance checks, and crews often place colored flags to guide their runners at night. GPS devices or smartphone mapping apps are not required but highly recommended; the race website provides downloadable GPX files with waypoints for all aid stations and major turns. Runners unfamiliar with the mountain terrain are encouraged to preview key junctions during pre-race shuttle rides to reinforce course markings.
Finish Rates
Run Rabbit Run 100 maintains an average finish rate of 65–75% over its history, despite its reputation for rugged terrain and high-mountain weather. Mild years with cool nights and low storm activity have seen finish rates approach 80%, while seasons marked by afternoon thunderstorms or unexpected snow reduce completion to around 60%. The generous 38-hour cutoff allows many runners ample time to navigate the steep climbs and technical descents, although altitude-related challenges and muscle fatigue remain common reasons for withdrawal.
Special Features
Run Rabbit Run 100 is renowned for its ski-area loops around Mount Werner and Neilson Mountain, which showcase dramatic 360-degree views of the Yampa Valley. The race offers custom belt buckles to all finishers and special sub-24-hour buckles for runners who complete the course in under 24 hours. Elite “Hares” compete for cash prizes and seed times, while “Tortoises” chase personal bests in a supportive community atmosphere. In addition to the 100-mile event, the race weekend features a 50-mile option that shares much of the same high-altitude terrain. The event partners with local land managers to support trail maintenance, and proceeds fund conservation efforts in the Routt National Forest.
Previous Winners
Notable male champions include Mike Wolfe, who set the current men’s record of 17:47:36 in 2019, and Hayden Hawks, who won in 2021 with 18:03:14. Female champions feature Meghan Arbogast, whose 2018 course record of 20:14:58 still stands, and Stephanie Howe, who triumphed in 2022 with a time of 21:05:27. Champions often double as elite Hares on the Western States and Hardrock circuits, using Run Rabbit Run as key high-altitude training.
Official Contact Information
Run Rabbit Run is directed by Neal Gorman and managed by Rabbit Adventure Sports. Inquiries about registration, course details, volunteer opportunities, and medical support should be sent to info@runrabbitrunsteamboat.com. The official website, www.runrabbitrunsteamboat.com, hosts lottery dates, runner manuals, GPX downloads, and event updates. Social media channels (@runrabbitrun100 on Instagram and Facebook) provide real-time announcements, live tracking links, and community engagement before, during, and after race weekend.