2026 Golden Leaf Half Marathon registration opens

The 2026 Golden Leaf Half Marathon, which begins in Snowmass Village and takes participants all the way to Aspen, has opened registration for “one of the most beautiful foot races in the Rockies,” according to the Ute Mountaineer.

The half marathon will take place from 8 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 26.

Registration began 10 a.m. April 28 and can be done in-store at Ute Mountaineer or online at https://events.com/r/en_US/registration/ute-mountaineer-golden-leaf-half-marathon-2026-presented-by-acg-aspen-september-1043614. Those who register in-person will receive a discounted registration invitation.

Registration is open until 9 a.m. on Sept. 21 or until the participation cap is reached, whichever comes first. This year’s Golden Leaf will be limited to 750 participants, with a mass start at 8 a.m. on Fanny Hill at the end of the Snowmass Village Mall.

Registration includes the race, lunch, a t-shirt, bar and prize giveaway.

Pitkin County requires that all participants obtain a valid Colorado Outdoor Recreation Search & Recreation, or CORSAR, card for the date of the event. They can be purchased online separately from the event at https://cpw.state.co.us/backcountry-search-and-rescue-program.

“This is a running race (not walking),” the race’s website reminds prospective participants. “There will be cut-off times.”

The first cutoff time will be one hour and 10 minutes at the four mile mark/first aid station, where the Government Trail leaves the Elk Camp Ski Area Rd. The second cutoff time will be at three hours and 10 minutes at the paved Tiehack Road where the trail leaves the Buttermilk Ski Area just after mile 11.

“If you cannot achieve these times, you will be asked to exit the race course and medical personnel and sweeps will pass by you,” the website reads.

There will be two hydration stations for the 2026 Golden Leaf.

The Golden Leaf begins on Fanny Hill just off the pedestrian mall in Snowmass Village, at an elevation of roughly 8,650 feet, and takes participants all the way to a finish at Koch Park in Aspen. The 13.3 mile half marathon includes both mountain trails and roads during the peak of Colorado’s fall colors.

“This is a backcountry race course and contains many obstacles including embedded rock, loose rocks and dirt, roots, water and more,” the website reads. “The presence of bear, moose and mountain lion may exist also. In addition to possibly hazardous trail conditions, weather conditions can change rapidly in the Aspen Snowmass area.”

While medical personnel will be present along the course and at aid stations, the website reminds all racers that “there is no guarantee of rescue or medical attention. Each participant is ultimately responsible for their own rescue and preparation for course and weather conditions. This means carrying protective clothing in case of bad weather or injury. Rescue from an injury is not guaranteed and may be delayed due to other injuries or distance from medical personnel.”

The website notes that there may be changes to the course based on ski area maintenance and U.S. Forest Service requirements.

Bibs, chips and Goody bags can be picked up at the Ute Mountaineer from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24, and Friday, Sept. 25. They can also be picked up race morning from 6:30 to 7:45 a.m. at the race start. 

A lunch from Slow Groovin BBQ will be available to all race participants at the finish.

For the full race course and additional information, visit https://www.utemountaineer.com/golden-leaf-half-marathon or email paul@utemountaineer.com.