Sage Burner Trail Race

The Sage Burner Trail Race takes place in Hartman Rocks Recreation Area near Gunnison, Colorado. This high-desert trail area is located about two hours east of Grand Junction and three hours west of Denver, close to Black Canyon National Park. The surrounding hills are covered in sagebrush, giving the race its name. Participants will have wide views of the Maroon Bells, the San Juan Mountains, and the Gunnison Basin as they navigate the exposed desert terrain. The course features a mix of technical slickrock, smooth singletrack, and faster doubletrack, requiring both careful footing and speed. Rolling hills and short, steep climbs add difficulty beyond what the open terrain might initially suggest. The race offers downloadable maps and elevation profiles, and the race guide details aid stations, mileage, cutoffs, food, hydration, rules, distance changes, refunds, and recommended gear. Sage Burner also collaborates with the Youth Trail Running Initiative for athletes aged 14 to 19 and with Trail Sisters to encourage more women in trail racing, offering registration discounts through both organizations.