West Elk Challenge 2026

The West Elk Challenge is a point-to-point trail marathon through the North Fork Valley in Western Colorado, with a 30K option for runners who want a shorter day. It is scheduled during peak fall color, and the full marathon covers 26.2 miles from Crawford State Park to a shared finish line in Paonia. The route sends runners, hikers, and walkers across the West Elk Mountains, with both distances built around one summit and the same finish. The race also works as a fundraiser: all proceeds go to scholarships for Nature Connection summer camps, with a goal of raising $25,000 so more local kids can get outside, go to camp, and build confidence through outdoor time.