The Sunset Trail Running Festival, offers a scenic tour of Boulder County and runners will enjoy varied terrain of dirt roads and trails, running through Ponderosa Pine and Aspen Forests, while taking in amazing views on this challenging course. The 28K course, heads South down to Salina, and then West along Fourmile Canyon Dr. to the historic town of Sunset. From there, runners will head North, up the the Old Railroad Grade, which is now known as the Switzerland Trail, and back to Gold Hill. The 12K course heads West along Gold Hill Rd to the famous Mount Alto Picnic area and back.

After the race, celebrate your accomplishment with your family, friends, and fellow participants at our after race party. We will have food, beer garden and music!

“PEOPLE SEEING THE BEAUTY OF THIS VALLEY WILL WANT TO STAY, AND THEIR STAYING WILL BE THE UNDOING OF THE BEAUTY” – CHIEF NIWOT

WHY THE NAME “SUNSET”?

Near the turn of the 20th century, the Switzerland Trail was the major source of bulk transportation in the area, carrying supplies and tourists to mining camps and towns in the front range, ore from the myriad mines to a few centralized mills, and refined metal down to Boulder for transport to the rest of the nation. A federal ore assay office, was built at the turn of the 20th century and was located near the community of Wall Street, Colorado, at the intersection of the Switzerland Trail route with Fourmile Canyon. “Sunset” was an important branch of the Denver, Boulder and Western Railroad, with a train stop there, and at the time, was a bustling community, driven by the presence of an ore mill and the railroad. 

DON’T MISS OUT ON ONE OF THE FEW TRAIL RACES IN BOULDER COUNTY

BOULDER WATERSHED COLLECTIVE AND FIRE DISTRICT

The Boulder Watershed Collective (BWC), in partnership with fire districts and many other local, state and federal partners, are working to increase the resilience of our forests and communities through strategic and multi-objective projects that prioritize community safety, protection of clean drinking water sources, wildlife habitat and watershed health.

The BWC’s mission, is to cultivate partnerships, promote community stewardship, and revitalize social and ecological systems within the Boulder Creek watershed and beyond. We work to create resilient watersheds where landscapes and communities thrive. Our work is guided by our core values which include fostering trusted relationships, empowering environmental stewardship, cultivating collaboration, promoting intersectional environmentalism and embodying integrity and inspiring action.

ALL funds raised from the Sunset Trail Running Festival, will support the collaborative efforts of local communities working to protect the forests we all love, and to create more resilient, fire adapted communities.

Want to make a donation to the Boulder Watershed Collective? You can do that – HERE

BUS TRANSPORTATION

To ease the parking congestion on the residents of Gold Hill, we are offering a bus service from the Boulder County Justice Center (1777 6th St, Boulder, CO 80302) to Gold Hill.

PRICING – To Gold Hill and return to Boulder.

• Race Participants – FREE

• Adult – $9.00

• 13 – 19 years – $6.00

• 6 – 12 years – $3.00

• 5 years & under – FREE

PLEASE NOTE: Parking will be $30.00 per car at Gold Hill.

BUS TIMETABLE –

BOULDER to GOLD HILL
Leave 6:30AM – Arrive 7:00AM
Leave 7:00AM – Arrive 7:30AM (LAST Bus for the 28K)
Leave 7:30AM – Arrive 8:00AM
Leave 8:00AM – Arrive 8:30AM (LAST Bus for the 12K/ 5K & Kids 1K)

GOLD HILL to BOULDER
Leave 11:00AM – Arrive 11:30AM
Leave 12:00PM – Arrive 12:30PM
Leave 1:00PM – Arrive 1:30PM

REGISTRATION

Register – HERE – For the Sunset Trail Running Festival. Registrations will close Saturday August 19th at 12:00PM. (NOON!) There are NO Race Day Registrations and there are NO Race Refunds!

• We have kept our race registration fees the same as in previous years, but T-Shirts are now an optional choice for the 5K and Kids 1K events for $10.00. You must register before Sunday, July 30th to guarantee one.

• You don’t want to run, and just want to make a donation to the Boulder Watershed Collective? You can do that – HERE

• Race Day Information – HERE

Registration cost per person:
28K (17.4M) (Participants must be 18 years or older)
Now – 4/30 $55.00
5/1 – 8/16 $65.00
8/17 – 8/20 $75.00

12K (7.7M) – 20 years & older
Now – 4/30 $35.00
5/1 – 8/16 $40.00
8/17 – 8/20 $50.00

12K (7.7M) – 19 years & under (Participants must be 13 years or older)
Now – 4/30 $30.00
5/1 – 8/16 $35.00
8/17 – 8/20 $45.00

5K – 20 years & older
Now – 4/30 $25.00
5/1 – 8/16 $30.00
8/17 – 8/20 $40.00

5K – 19 years & younger (Participants must be 7 years or older)
Now – 4/30 $20.00
5/1 – 8/16 $25.00
8/17 – 8/20 $35.00

1K – 12 years & under
Now – 4/30 $10.00
5/1 – 8/16 $15.00
8/17 – 8/20 $20.00
* ALL Gold Hill kids get FREE entry in the 1K!

Cost includes aid station support, timing, after race food and refreshments, a free Avery Brewing Company beer (must be 21 years or older) and a participant medal.

RESULTS

2023 – HERE
2020/ 2021/ 2022 – (No Race Due to COVID)
2019 – HERE

SPONSORS