Vail Mountain Trail Running Series continues Saturday with 36th annual Vail HillClimb

The Vail Recreation District's (VRD) 2012 La Sportiva Vail Mountain Trail Running Series continues Saturday, July 7, with the 36th running of the La Sportiva Vail HillClimb.

Named best trail running race in 2006 and most-scenic non-ultra race in 2011 by Colorado Runner magazine, the HillClimb will test local, regional and national runners with a 7.5 mile climb from Vail Village to Vail Mountain's summit, a gain of 2,500 vertical feet.

The race begins at 8 a.m. in Vail Village on the paved road adjacent to Vail's Mountain Haus and ascends on gravel trails taking runners to the finish line at Eagle's Nest. The HillClimb is presented by the Vail's Mountain Haus and is the third race of the 2012 La Sportiva Vail Mountain Trail Running Series, which is presented by Columbia Sportswear.

Individual race costs are $28 for preregistration or $38 on race-day. Registration is available by clicking here or by calling 970-479-2280. Bib pickup will also be available from 3 to 6 p.m. Friday (7/6) at Christy Sports in Vail Village.

Racers should park in Vail Village parking structure where parking is free for the summer. Day of registration will occur at the race starting area until 7:45 a.m. The Eagle Bahn Gondola in LionsHead will operate from 8 to 9 a.m. for race-day spectators and will be free.

Spectators are encouraged to park in the LionsHead parking structure where parking is also free for the summer. The gondola also will be free for race participants and spectators to download following the race.

The Vail HillClimb is the third scoring race in the La Sportiva Vail Mountain Trail Running Series, Colorado's premier trail running series, which is celebrating its 15th season. The seven-race series runs May through September and includes distances ranging from a 5k (3.2 miles) to a half marathon (13.1 miles). The race series was named Best Race Series in 2005 and 2008, the Vail Half Marathon named Most Scenic Race in 2010 and the Vail HillClimb was honored as the best non-ultra race in 2011 by readers of Colorado Runner magazine.

Vail HillClimb 2010Columbia Sportswear will be providing all running participants at each race with it's innovative Omni-Freeze ICE tech T-shirts, a temperature-regulating, super ventilated T-shirt, plus technical clothing for VRD staff, volunteers and medical staff. The Omni-Freeze ICE® shirts each runner will receive capitalizes on sweat to lower the fabric temperature, creating an immediate cooling sensation. When a runner gets hot, it gets cool. Additionally, with UPF 50 sun protection, quick-wicking fabric and antimicrobial treatment, the shirts have the ultimate technology to ensure each runner stays dry, cool and protected.

The La Sportiva race series continues Sunday, July 22 when runners will test themselves during the La Sportiva Vail Half Marathon on a new course that will include pristine views on both single track and double track on Vail Mountain.

The fifth event, the Berry Picker trail run, will take place Sunday, Aug. 5 and take runners 3.2 miles up a tough single track from the base of Vail Mountain to the top at Eagle's Nest.

The La Sportiva 10k and 5k at 10,000 Feet will then be held on Sunday, Aug. 26 with runners riding the Eagle Bahn Gondola to the race start area. The entire race is above 9,000 feet with high points above 10,000 feet.

The final race of the series, the La Sportiva Evergold 11k and 5k on Sunday, Sept. 16, will begin at the Vail Golf Club and traverse Vail Mountain back to the golf club with an end-of-season brunch for participants and celebration at Happy Valley Grill.

Joining 2012 series title sponsor La Sportiva and presenting sponsor Columbia Sportswear are Vail Resorts, Beaver Creek Resort Company, FirstBank of Vail, Vail's Mountain Haus, Apex Dental, Central Rockies Mortgage, Big Delicious Catering, Smart Wool, Tiga Advertising, Howard Head Sports Medicine Centers, Steadman Clinic, Gatorade, KZYR, Road ID, Dusty Boot, Trek Light, Optic Nerve and Camelbak. Photos of the 2012 race series are available by going to http://www.mcclarrinonphotography.com.

Volunteers are needed at each race and will receive a T-shirt and other items for their help.

For more information or to become a race series sponsor, call the VRD Sports Department at 970-479-2280 or go to www.vailrec.com.