Join the Vail Recreation Department on Saturday, Sept. 12 for the MeadowGold 11K & 5K, presented by the Town of Minturn. This event is the seventh and final race in the 2026 Vail Trail Running Series. Whether you’ve raced all season or are joining us for the first time, we’d love to celebrate the series finale with you! Register early at register.vailrec.com and save!
The 11K starts at 9 a.m. with the 5K start following at 9:15 a.m. 11K runners will ascend technical singletrack on the West Grouse Trail with multiple stream crossings and fields of wildflowers. At the high point and nearly halfway through the 11K race, runners will begin the descent to the finish on a double track with open views of Vail Mountain and the Gore Range. The 11K course climbs 1,362′ in roughly 6.6 miles. 5K runners will enjoy a 1.5 mile double track ascent of 500+ vertical feet through mountain meadows and past old homesteads before making a u-turn and quickly descending to the finish line. Course maps are available here.
The Meadow Mountain course is remote, so please be prepared to be self-sufficient while racing! There will be an aid station on the course at mile markers 1.0 and 2.0 for 5K runners and mile markers 1.0, 3.7, and 5.6 for 11K runners.
The Vail Trail Running Series is a minimal waste series. Please keep this in mind when preparing for the race. We highly encourage racers to bring your hydration devices or reusable cups!
Pre-race registration and bib pickup will be available on Fri, Sept. 11 from 4-6 p.m. at Peak Performance Footwear at Riverwalk in Edwards.
Race day bib pickup and registration are available at the Meadow Mountain race start from 7:45 to 8:45 a.m. for the 11K and until 9 a.m. for the 5K. Online registration ends at 3 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 11.
The race starts at the Minturn Ranger Station, off U.S. Highway 24, just north of Minturn. From I-70, take exit 171 toward Minturn. Turn right and you will see signage regarding parking less than half a mile ahead.
Runners can pick up their custom race T-shirt and a delicious Northside Kitchen donut at the race finish. Join us for the after-party at Magustos Pizza & Burger Pub in Minturn following the race, where MeadowGold and series awards will be given out!
Racers can enjoy free food and, for ages 21 and up, free beer from Mountain Time Lager and Best Day Brewing while we celebrate another great season! As always, every runner is entered to win great raffle prizes from our sponsors; the drawing takes place following awards.
REGISTER EARLY & SAVE!
Visit www.register.vailrec.com and save on individual races by registering before
race week. Participants do not need to be registered for the series to participate in individual races.
Individual race cost for the 11K is $40 preregistered, $48 week-of and $55 day-of. 5K cost is $35 preregistered, $43 week-of and $49 day-of. Youth (17 & under) receive a 35% discount on all rates.
Race details are available at www.vailrec.com. For more information or to become a race series sponsor or a race volunteer, call the VRD Sports Department at 970-479-2280 or email sports@vailrec.com.
Even though the Vail Trail Running Series is wrapping up, there’s still more trail run action ahead – we have the third annual Cougar Ridge Classic 26K from Vail to Minturn on Sat, Sept. 26, featuring a NEW shorter option, the Cougar Cub 14K! Registration is filling up quickly, so don’t wait to sign up!
The VRD’s Vail Trail Running Series is yours thanks to our series partner Discover Vail! Individual race sponsors include Capitol Public House, Town of Minturn, Elevated Dental, Vail’s Mountain Haus, Beaver Creek Resorts, and Howard Head. Partners also include PNC Bank, Steadman Clinic, Rossignol, Vail Daily, Ptarmigan Sports, Dermatone, Jaunt Media Collective, YETI, New Belgium Brewing, Skratch Labs, Northside Kitchen, Lululemon, Optic Nerve, Outdoor Tech, Vail Honeywagon, Vail Resorts, Arrowhead, Best Day Brewing, Vail Mountain Coffee & Tea Co, West Vail Liquor Mart, Alpine Wine & Spirits, Mountainsmith, Town of Eagle, Peak Performance Footwear, Avanti F&B, and INSTINCT Trails Inspired.
About the Vail Recreation District
The Vail Recreation District’s mission is to offer diverse and exceptional recreation opportunities that enhance the physical, social and emotional well-being of all its residents and guests. The VRD aims to help Vail Valley residents and visitors pursue their recreational passions by providing activities in summer and winter including: running, whitewater and mountain bike races; numerous tournaments and/or leagues for hockey, volleyball, lacrosse, softball, golf, tennis, soccer, flag football and pickleball; venues like Dobson Ice Arena, Vail Golf Club, Vail Nordic Center, Vail Gymnastics Center, Vail Skatepark, Bill Wright Tennis Center, Golden Peak Pickleball Center, Community Programming and Imagination Station; use of additional gyms, playing fields and the surrounding White River National Forest via collaboration with local entities; and a variety of youth camps and programs.