PHOTOS: Peak fall colors guide runners in Aspen’s annual Golden Leaf Half Marathon

News | Sep 28, 2025

Austin Colbert

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**Aspen's Johnny Youngs, who would win the race, winds through the single track during the Golden Leaf Half Marathon on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, in Aspen.**
*Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times*

The annual Golden Leaf Half Marathon returned on Saturday, with the sold-out backcountry trail run taking competitors from Fanny Hill at Snowmass Ski Area to Aspen’s Koch Park via the Government Trail.

The race, held amid the peak of fall colors, is a joint venture between the Ute Mountaineer and the city of Aspen’s Special Events department.

Winning Saturday’s race was Aspen’s own Johnny Young; the 28-year-old finished in 1 hour, 31 minutes, 34.7 seconds. In second was Greeley’s Josh Torres in 1:32:36.4, and in third was Carbondale’s Andrew Farny in 1:35:01.6.

First among women was Boulder’s Maddie Shove, who was 10th overall in 1:46:46.8. The 21-year-old held off Crested Butte’s Stevie Kremer, the 41-year-old with multiple Golden Leaf victories over her career. She finished 11th overall in 1:46:58.7. The third female finisher was Carbondale’s Lina Sutro, who was 13th overall in 1:47:50.

The Golden Leaf was the last major local foot or bike race of the summer or fall before ski season gets underway in late November. That said, the Aspen High School cross country team will host its annual Chris Severy races this coming Saturday, Oct. 4, on the trails near the school.

Aspen’s Oliver Bacharach, who would finish seventh overall, competes in the Golden Leaf Half Marathon on Saturday in Aspen.

Racers cross the Terral Wade foot bridge during the Golden Leaf Half Marathon.

Boulder’s Max Gaitan, who would finish eighth overall, competes in the Golden Leaf Half Marathon on Saturday in Aspen.

A runner competes in the Golden Leaf Half Marathon on Saturday in Aspen.

California’s Kristian Howell competes in the Golden Leaf Half Marathon on Saturday.

Racers cross the Terral Wade foot bridge during the Golden Leaf Half Marathon on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, in Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Aspen’s Johnny Youngs, who would win the race, winds through the single track during the Golden Leaf Half Marathon on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, in Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Carbondale’s Nicolas Plume competes in the Golden Leaf Half Marathon on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, in Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Greeley’s Josh Torres, the eventual runnner-up finisher, runs through the single track during the Golden Leaf Half Marathon on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, in Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
A runner competes in the Golden Leaf Half Marathon on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, in Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
A racer crosses the Terral Wade foot bridge during the Golden Leaf Half Marathon on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, in Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Racers cross the Terral Wade foot bridge during the Golden Leaf Half Marathon on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, in Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Carbondale’s Connor Pokorney, who would finish ninth, competes in the Golden Leaf Half Marathon on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, in Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Racers cross the Terral Wade foot bridge during the Golden Leaf Half Marathon on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, in Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Boulder’s Max Gaitan, who would finish eighth overall, competes in the Golden Leaf Half Marathon on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, in Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Carbondale’s Jack Burger, who would finish fourth overall, competes in the Golden Leaf Half Marathon on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, in Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Carbondale’s Lina Sutro competes in the Golden Leaf Half Marathon on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, in Aspen. She would finish third among women.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Aspen’s Oliver Bacharach, who would finish seventh overall, competes in the Golden Leaf Half Marathon on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, in Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
A racer crosses the Terral Wade foot bridge during the Golden Leaf Half Marathon on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, in Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Littleton’s Greg Krause, front, and Boulder’s Maddie Shove, who was the top female finisher, competes in the Golden Leaf Half Marathon on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, in Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Denver’s Tucker Dunn checks his watch while crossing the Terral Wade foot bridge during the Golden Leaf Half Marathon on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, in Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Basalt’s Dillon Sowers competes in the Golden Leaf Half Marathon on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, in Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Glenwood’s Anna Gavrilova, right, competes in the Golden Leaf Half Marathon on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, in Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Boulder’s Reed Koenig competes in the Golden Leaf Half Marathon on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, in Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
California’s Kristian Howell competes in the Golden Leaf Half Marathon on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, in Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Carbondale’s Will Beihoffer competes in the Golden Leaf Half Marathon on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, in Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Longmont’s Seth Hill, left, crosses the Terral Wade foot bridge during the Golden Leaf Half Marathon on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, in Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Crested Butte’s Stevie Kremer, who would finish second among women, competes in the Golden Leaf Half Marathon on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, in Aspen. Kremer is a past Golden Leaf champion.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
New York’s Lyndsey Pere competes in the Golden Leaf Half Marathon on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, in Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Carbondale’s Andrew Farny, who would finish third overall, competes in the Golden Leaf Half Marathon on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, in Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times