OUR MISSION

The Emerald Mountain Epic is presented by Hard Headed. Its mission is to host Steamboat’s premier single track race experience.  We are a charity event that challenges racers to compete at their personal best while promoting safety, fun, camaraderie and community.

The Emerald Mountain Epic presented by Hard Headed attracts some of the nation's best mountain bike and trail running racers, while still offering incredible opportunities for athletes of all skill levels to test their meddle.  Our race is a uniquely rewarding and challenging experience in that it is 90% singletrack with major elevation gains. 

To minimize the impacts on the Emerald Mountain trail system, our past permits have only allowed for 500 racers on the start line each day. While our total field is limited to 500 racers per day, there will be no specific limit placed on individual categories.  

MOUNTAIN BIKE RACES - August 5, 2023

SOLO Race: 52 miles with approximately 6,600 feet of elevation gain

• Pro/Open Men's and Women's Races
• Citizen Men's and Women's Races
• Clydesdale Races (open to anyone over 200lbs.)
• Singlespeed Men's and Women's Races

DUO Relay: Teams of two, each completing one 26 mile lap with about 3,300 feet gained 

• Men's Team
• Women's Team
• Co-Ed Team

TRAIL RUNNING RACES - August 6, 2023

FULL Marathon: 26.2 miles with approximately 3,300 feet of elevation gain

• Men's and Women's Races

HALF Marathon: 13.1 miles with approximately 1,500 feet of elevation gain

• Men's and Women's Races

ROYALTY OF THE 'BOAT  RACES - August 5 & 6, 2023

Some like to ride, some like to run, and then there are those who do both!  For you, we offer special categories that combine your times from each day's race to see who can truly claim the crowns of Emerald Mountain Epic Royalty!

• KING of the Boat: Combined time of Men's Solo MTB & Full Marathon
• QUEEN of the Boat: Combined time of Women's Solo MTB & Full Marathon
• PRINCE of the Boat: Single lap time in Duo MTB and Men's Half Marathon
• PRINCESS of the Boat: Single lap time in Duo MTB and Women's Half Marathon

Friday, August 4th:

• 12-8pm: Racer Packet Pick-Up. Location: Hard Headed of Steamboat

Saturday, August 5th:

• 6:30am-7:30am - Last Minute Bike Race Packet Pickup at Howelsen Shelter at the Beach (840 Howelsen Pkwy; Steamboat Springs, CO 80487)
• 9:00am-2pm - Run Day Packet Pickup behind Howelsen Lodge (Bike Race finish)

Sunday, August 6th:  

• 6:30am-7:30am - Last Minute Run Day Packet Pickup behind Howelsen Lodge