Join in on the fun without getting wet! Whether you're into riding and running, a calm yoga session at the park, or racing your favorite weenie dog, you can participate at the Royal Gorge Whitewater Festival
The Royal Gorge Region features not only world-class whitewater, but several fantastic singletrack trail systems, perfect for mountain biking and trail running.
The Royal Gorge Region features not only world-class whitewater, but several fantastic singletrack trail systems, perfect for mountain biking and trail running.
The Great Escape Trail Events
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The Great Escape Trail events are designed to showcase the best of Cañon City's downtown and singletrack recreation amenities. Miles of singletrack trail, tempting gravel roads, and plenty of downhill fun await participants of either the mountain bike or trail running events. Choose the distance of your liking - 5K, 10K, or the hefty 17-mile grinder (biking only) - to add some 'dirt' to your Whitewater Festival weekend.
While these events are timed, they are designed for varied ability levels. Never done a running or mountain bike event? Enjoy the fun, camaraderie, and friendly courses of the Great Escape Events. Here to win? We'll see you on the trails. |
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Register online through July 24th for just $20! (Kids are $15).
What's included in your registration fee:
Add on a tee or tank for just $15 by July 10! (kids' sizes available in tee) |
ONLINE REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED.
TO REGISTER FOR WHITEWATER EVENTS: Visit the white registration tent at the festival at least 30 minutes before your intended event.
TO REGISTER FOR GREAT ESCAPE TRAIL EVENTS: Register at packet pickup at Centennial Park (north-west corner) on Friday from 5:30-7:30 pm or on Saturday morning at least 30 minutes prior to your intended event. Prices increase after online registration closes.
Please note that land event participants receive free entry to the festival. Show them your bib or registration to gain entry. Land event participants do NOT need to check in at the big, white registration / check-in tent - only whitewater events check in at that location. Please find Great Escape events / check-in at the north-west corner of the park instead!
TO REGISTER FOR WHITEWATER EVENTS: Visit the white registration tent at the festival at least 30 minutes before your intended event.
TO REGISTER FOR GREAT ESCAPE TRAIL EVENTS: Register at packet pickup at Centennial Park (north-west corner) on Friday from 5:30-7:30 pm or on Saturday morning at least 30 minutes prior to your intended event. Prices increase after online registration closes.
Please note that land event participants receive free entry to the festival. Show them your bib or registration to gain entry. Land event participants do NOT need to check in at the big, white registration / check-in tent - only whitewater events check in at that location. Please find Great Escape events / check-in at the north-west corner of the park instead!
Trail Event Schedule
Friday
5:50-7:30 pm - Packet pickup and late registration ($5 more per event) at Centennial Park.
Saturday
7:00 am - 9:30 am - Packet pickup and late registration ($5 more per event) at Centennial Park (must be +15 minutes before event start!)
7:30 am - Grinder (MTB) START (For intermediate / advanced riders only. Distance ~30K)
7:45 am - 5K Trail Run / 10K Trail Run START
9:45 am - 10K MTB Ride START
9:45 am - 5K Family / Beginner MTB Ride START
10:00 am - Award Ceremony for running Events (or sooner if schedule allows)
10:30 am - Award Ceremony for bike events (or sooner if schedule allows)
Friday
5:50-7:30 pm - Packet pickup and late registration ($5 more per event) at Centennial Park.
Saturday
7:00 am - 9:30 am - Packet pickup and late registration ($5 more per event) at Centennial Park (must be +15 minutes before event start!)
7:30 am - Grinder (MTB) START (For intermediate / advanced riders only. Distance ~30K)
7:45 am - 5K Trail Run / 10K Trail Run START
9:45 am - 10K MTB Ride START
9:45 am - 5K Family / Beginner MTB Ride START
10:00 am - Award Ceremony for running Events (or sooner if schedule allows)
10:30 am - Award Ceremony for bike events (or sooner if schedule allows)
Running Events
This course leaves from Centennial Park and travels along the Arkansas Riverwalk trail. You'll cross over the river at the pedestrian bridge, head toward Tunnel Drive, and turn around at the Trailhead (or go up the hill for a beautiful view and a little extra elevation gain). Return to the park for a nice, easy second half and post-run celebration at the park.
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You'll experience the best of lower South Cañon on this beautiful fun. Leave from Centennial Park, climb up Wagon Trail, then make a hard right to climb all of Schepp Ridge for stunning views of the town, mountains, and the Ecology Park. At the end of Schepp Ridge, you'll climb up Water Gap (hill!) to an aid station, then hit Jackrabbit and Schepp down to an easy descent on Mutton Bustin'. You'll start your descent on Mutton Bustin', where you'll then return to Centennial Park to awaiting spectators.
Centennial > Colburn Lane > Wagon Trail > Schepp Ridge > Water Gap > Eco Parking Lot (Aid Station) > Jackrabbit > Recycle > Schepp Ridge > Mutton Bustin > Wagon Trail > Colburn Lane > Centennial Park |
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Mountain Biking Events
Bring the kiddos! Try a mountain bike event for the first time! This low-stakes and super-fun course will allow mountain bikers of all experience levels to enjoy participating in an event. This course follows the Arkansas Riverwalk west to Tunnel Drive and has very little elevation gain. Youth as young as 6 years old may enjoy this course (our younger on a bike seat), and kids as young as 10 are welcome to ride solo. This course leaves from Centennial Park and travels along the Arkansas Riverwalk trail to the trailhead at Tunnel Drive. Turn around at the trailhead or climb the hill for an extra high-five and a sweet view. Return to the park for a beginner-friendly 5K race.
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Intermediate-level riders with the ability to navigate some technical elements will enjoy this fun and fast 6-mile course. Leave from Centennial Park, climb up Wagon Trail, then make a hard right to climb all of Schepp Ridge for stunning views of the town, mountains, and the Ecology Park. At the end of Schepp Ridge, you'll use Piñon Trail to merge onto Recycle. You'll start your descent on Mutton Bustin', where you'll then return to Centennial Park to awaiting spectators.
Centennial > Colburn Lane > Wagon Trail > Schepp Ridge > Water Gap > Eco Parking Lot (Aid Station) > Jackrabbit > Recycle > Schepp Ridge > Mutton Bustin > Wagon Trail > Colburn Lane > Centennial Park |
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Love a good grinder? From Centennial Park, you'll take crusher fine trails and some singletrack to pick up Temple Canyon Road near the Ecology Park. Head up this glorious gravel route to the top of Cañon City's local favorite descending trail - The Great Escape, for miles of techy downhill fun. You'll head back on Temple Canyon Road (where you MUST meet the 9:15 cuttoff to re-enter the singletrack course) and enjoy more flowy, fun downhill on Schepp's Ridge, Recycle, and Mutton Bustin'. You'll end up back at Centennial Park for a well-deserved break and beverage.
Leave Centennial > Colburn Lane > Wagon Trail > Schepp Ridge > Water Gap > Eco Parking Lot (Aid Station) > Temple Canyon Road (3.6 miles) > Great Escape > Hard Time > Redemption (Human Assistant) > Temple Canyon Rd. > Eco Park Parking Lot > Smooth Criminal > Old Road > Gloria’s Groove > Left on Schepp > Water Gap > Eco Park Parking Lot > Jackrabbit > Recycle > Schepp Ridge > Mutton Bustin > Wagon Trail > Colburn Lane > Centennial Park |
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Remember that we are a 1% for Trail event, which means that you've supported trails in the area just by registering!
Trail Event FAQ's
Wait, REALLY a race for kids and families?
Yes! We are so excited to offer courses that are suitable for youth and families to complete TOGETHER. Children who complete the course of their own volition (they cannot be attached to an adult's bike) can compete for age-group prizes. Children too young to ride on their own do not need to register, but they can ride along with an adult parent/participant for fun! We are so proud of our youth participants and encourage you to reach out with questions ([email protected]) if you would like to know more about this family-friendly environment.
Are these courses suitable for beginners?
Yes! As long as you have basic mountain bike and trail running skills, there is an event are for you. If you're brand-new to mountain biking, we recommend the 5K race. Intermediate riders will enjoy the 10K event, and advanced riders with ability to climb for extended periods of time will be well-suited for the 27K Grinder. We are excited to offer a community event that fosters a love of mountain biking and trail running. You do not need any prior experience in races or events. Our course is well marked, our aid stations will be stocked with treats, and we'll have volunteers on the course to help you along the way.
What is a "Grinder"?
The Grinder is not limited just to singletrack - there is a 3.5 mile climb in the middle of the race that takes place on gravel road. It's a means to a super fun end - miles of super-fun singletrack descent through intermediate / advanced terrain. You do NOT need a special gravel bike to enter and / or enjoy this event, but you must be ready to ride about 30K total.
Will the events be timed?
Yes. All participants will be timed. We give awards for:
5K Run - 1st through 3rd in two age groups - youth (18 and under) and adult (19+), M/F
5K MTB Ride - 1st through 3rd in youth (18 and under) M/F
10K Run - 1st through 3rd in two age groups - youth (18 and under) and adult (19+), M/F
10K MTB Ride - 1st through 3rd in two age groups - youth (18 and under) and adult (19+), M/F
Grinder - 1st through 3rd in two age groups - youth (18 and under) and adult (19+), M/F
What if weather prohibits running / riding this event?
If the event is cancelled due to poor weather / trail conditions, refunds will NOT be given. Swag bags will be distributed and the event will offer a 'virtual' option. Participants can then ride or run the course at a later date and post their results online through the Trailforks app. In this case, no awards will be given.
Yes! We are so excited to offer courses that are suitable for youth and families to complete TOGETHER. Children who complete the course of their own volition (they cannot be attached to an adult's bike) can compete for age-group prizes. Children too young to ride on their own do not need to register, but they can ride along with an adult parent/participant for fun! We are so proud of our youth participants and encourage you to reach out with questions ([email protected]) if you would like to know more about this family-friendly environment.
Are these courses suitable for beginners?
Yes! As long as you have basic mountain bike and trail running skills, there is an event are for you. If you're brand-new to mountain biking, we recommend the 5K race. Intermediate riders will enjoy the 10K event, and advanced riders with ability to climb for extended periods of time will be well-suited for the 27K Grinder. We are excited to offer a community event that fosters a love of mountain biking and trail running. You do not need any prior experience in races or events. Our course is well marked, our aid stations will be stocked with treats, and we'll have volunteers on the course to help you along the way.
What is a "Grinder"?
The Grinder is not limited just to singletrack - there is a 3.5 mile climb in the middle of the race that takes place on gravel road. It's a means to a super fun end - miles of super-fun singletrack descent through intermediate / advanced terrain. You do NOT need a special gravel bike to enter and / or enjoy this event, but you must be ready to ride about 30K total.
Will the events be timed?
Yes. All participants will be timed. We give awards for:
5K Run - 1st through 3rd in two age groups - youth (18 and under) and adult (19+), M/F
5K MTB Ride - 1st through 3rd in youth (18 and under) M/F
10K Run - 1st through 3rd in two age groups - youth (18 and under) and adult (19+), M/F
10K MTB Ride - 1st through 3rd in two age groups - youth (18 and under) and adult (19+), M/F
Grinder - 1st through 3rd in two age groups - youth (18 and under) and adult (19+), M/F
What if weather prohibits running / riding this event?
If the event is cancelled due to poor weather / trail conditions, refunds will NOT be given. Swag bags will be distributed and the event will offer a 'virtual' option. Participants can then ride or run the course at a later date and post their results online through the Trailforks app. In this case, no awards will be given.
Yoga in the Park
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YOGA
Cost: FREE Time: Saturday at 7:30-9:00 am Join Cañon Yoga for a relaxing yoga session in the park. This class will include movement and breath work. Whether you are new to yoga, an advanced practitioner, or anywhere in between, you are welcome to join us. Please bring your own mat or towel, if you have one. If not you can practice in the grass. Advanced registration not needed. Donations accepted but not expected. |
