Please note: You must carry your own calories as our aid stations only have water / Skratch. We recommend participants carry their own hydration system as well.
Timing Chips/Race Bibs
Timing Chips are connected to your race bib. If you lose your bib, you lose your timing chip - there is no replacement chip available. It is the racer's responsibility to keep track of their bib/timing chip. Please place your bib where it is visible to someone in front of you. This enables our staff to see the number when you cross the finish line.
Bib/Chip/ Packet Pick-up Times & Locations
Thursday 9/16 from 9:30am-5:30pm and Friday from 9/17 9:30am-6:00pm at Ute Mountaineer (210 South Galena, Aspen, CO 81611). They can also be picked up on 9/18, race day morning, from 6:30- 7:45 am (Waves 1-3), 6:30-8:00 am (Waves 4-7) at the end of the Snowmass Village Mall near Starbucks.
----WE ENCOURAGE ALL PARTICIPANTS TO PICK UP THEIR PACKETS PRIOR TO RACE DAY---
Restrooms at the start
There will be porta-potties near the start line.
New Start Time 8:00 AM
Wave Starts
There will be 7 wave starts for this year's race. Wave assignments are based upon your historical Golden Leaf Results (past 4 races), verification via email with the participant or the addition of 20 minutes if the participant did not respond to email requests. Wave assignments are final and cannot be changed. You can determine which wave you are in by checking the wave assignment sheets at the race start or online at https://aspenspecialevents.com/golden-leaf/.
The waves will start 5 minutes apart:
Wave 1 @ 8:00 Bibs 1-70, Wave 2 @ 8:05 Bibs 71-140,
Wave 3 @ 8:10 Bibs 141-210, Wave 4 @ 8:15 Bibs 211-280,
Wave 5 @ 8:20 Bibs 281-350, Wave 6 @ 8:25 Bibs 351-420,
Wave 7 @ 8:30 Bibs 421-500
These numbers will allow Golden Leaf staff to place you in the correct start corral. YOU MUST START THE RACE FROM THE CORRECT START CORRAL. There will be signs with the wave and bib number.
Cut-Off Times
As this is a RUNNING RACE, there are 2 cut-off time locations where runners will be asked to exit the race if they do not meet the given times: Where Government Trail leaves the Elk Camp Ski Area Rd (4 mi.)=1hr 10min; Tiehack Road (11 mi.)=3 hours 10 minutes after the start of the final wave. There will be sweep runners/bikers. If a racer is walking, they will probably be passed by the sweep so that the sweep can stay with the runners. By signing the waiver on your entry, you have agreed to this.
Medical Assistance
This is a backcountry race. There are many obstacles including embedded rocks, loose rocks and dirt, tree roots, exposure, water crossings, and more. Please take care while crossing these obstacles as they can result in serious injury or worse. There is no guarantee of rescue or medical attention.
There are volunteer medical personnel along the course and at aid stations, but there is no guarantee of rescue or medical attention. Each participant is ultimately responsible for their own rescue and preparation for course and weather conditions. When you see the medics on bikes, please be kind as they are on their way to assist other runners. If you decide to exit the course on your own, please inform medical or hydration station personnel.
Two Hydration Station (new location in 2021)
There are two hydration stations (water and Skratch) available at mile 4 and mile 8. 1 cup of water or Skratch will be provided per racer. These hydration stations will close and correspond with the cutoff times for the race.
Gu/Bar/Etc. Wrappers These wrappers are not biodegradable and may carry germs. EITHER PLACE THEM IN THE GARBAGE BAG AT THE HYDRATION STATIONS OR PACK THEM OUT. Do NOT make volunteers pick these up!
Dehydration
Dehydration has been prevalent in previous races. To prevent dehydration, make sure you are well hydrated in the few days leading up to the race. Also, you should consider carrying extra water, an electrolyte drink or gels similar to what you would on a long training run.
Non-Racers:
Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate everyone that was interested in running the Golden Leaf this year. It is possible that some of these people plan to run the course on race day. We have to discourage this. This is a big field (500 ppl) and if a lot of people invite their friends to run with them, this could cause significant congestion. Thank you for your help in this matter.
Passing on the Course
The racecourse is mostly single track. Please be courteous and let a runner pass if they request to do so. If you use an iPod/phone, do not play the music so loud that you cannot hear other runners talking to you.
Awards & Raffle
The raffle will be pre-drawn and available at the finish line – just bring your bib to the raffle tables to see if you have won anything. There will be no awards ceremony in order to reduce the number of people at the finish line. Awards will be sent to the top three male and female finishers (Cash: $250 1st, $150 2nd, $100 3rd) - or given to them at the completion of their race. All participants and volunteers are eligible for the raffle.
Food Service at Race Finish
A boxed lunch from Slo Groovin BBQ will be available to all race participants at the finish. Just present your race bib. This will be hole-punched to allow one-time access to food. Food service begins 10:00am-10:15am.
Race Photos
Don't forget to check out your race photos after the race from Sundance Images. Use the easy photo search with your 4-digit race number. (Example: Bib #25 - 0025, Bib #125 - 0125)
Shuttles/Buses
*Due to COVID there will be no additional shuttles - we highly encourage racers to get a ride with a friend/family or drive to Snowmass Village.
Regular RFTA bus service (no charge / face mask required) runs all day long from Rubey Park Bus Station in Aspen. Take a Roaring Fork Valley Local bus (ex: L Glenwood). These leave at :15 & :45 (starting 6:15 am) & arrive at Intercept Lot (the turnoff to Snowmass Village) 15 minutes later. At Intercept Lot, change bus to Snowmass Village (SM or SMV) bus. This bus leaves at :00 and :30.
It’s a tight connection and the bus should wait for the Aspen bus but it is not guaranteed. So, give yourself plenty of time. For more information, go to rfta.com > Maps & Schedules > Local Valley > Snowmass/Aspen.
After the race, you can use the same RFTA bus service as it runs all day long from Rubey Park Bus Station in Aspen to Snowmass Village at :15 & :45 after the hour.
All buses may be subject to capacity restrictions.
***RFTA Busses take approximately 30-35 minutes to get to Snowmass and include a change of bus at the Brush Creek Park and Ride lot.
Parking in Snowmass
There is free parking in Snowmass. Lots 1 - 5, 8-13 are free with no time limit. There is also free parking in the Base Village parking lot - a ten-minute walk up Fanny Hill to the start. Learn more about parking in Snowmass Village, by visiting their website at www.gosnowmass.com
Gear Shuttle
There will be a gear shuttle from the race start to the race finish - this is subject to change due to COVID safety precautions. We encourage you to use your own bag (as is more identifiable) with a note on it identifying your bib #. We will have plastic bags available if needed.
Directions to Start (Snowmass Village) From Down valley/Highway 82: DO NOT turn at the first sign for Snowmass; this will take you to Old Snowmass. Follow the signs for Snowmass Village/Snowmass Ski Area. Turn right onto Brush Creek Road (there is a traffic light) toward Snowmass Village/Snowmass Ski Area. Follow Brush Creek for approximately 5 miles, until you reach the Village / until you hit the Main Bus Stop in Snowmass Village. The Snowmass Village Mall is on the same level as the bus stop. Follow the mall to the end. There will be signs directing you to registration. The actual starting line is out on the ski area slopes at the end of the mall.
Directions to Finish (Aspen) From Snowmass Village, follow Hwy 82 into Aspen where it becomes Main Street. Before the first of 4 consecutive traffic lights (just after the Molly Gibson Lodge and before Paepcke Park) turn right on Garmisch St. The race finish is at Koch Park which is on the fourth block on your right.
See you soon!! The Race Organizers
A BIG Thank You to our Sponsors:
Ute Mountaineer, adidas Terrex, City of Aspen, and Skratch Labs
