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August 2 - Vail Berry Picker

Presented By: East West Hospitality

2024 Results2024 Photos

Date, Location & Time

August 2, 2025 | Base of Gondola One on Vail Mountain, CO | 8 a.m.*
*Date, location and time are subject to change

Register!​​

Online Registration | Registration Form

Who Needs an Aid Station when you can Pick Berries!

The race begins at 8 a.m. at the base of Gondola One in Vail Village, testing runners of all abilities on both singletrack and doubletrack terrain over 4.6 miles of uphill running with an average grade of 14 percent. The race ends at Mid-Vail at the top of Gondola One. 

Competitors will ascend Berry Picker Trail and take a sharp left towards the top onto Lower Fireweed and traverse to the east toward Mid-Vail. Competitors will exit Lower Fireweed on to the Mountain Access Road and finish at Mid-Vail. 

The Gondola will run from 8 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. for spectators to access the finish at Mid-Vail, afterwards it will be closed to the public until 9:30 a.m. when you can purchase a lift pass.

Race Schedule 
Time:Activity:Location: Address:
Friday - August 2, 2024 4:00-6:00p.m.Pre-Race Bib PickupWest Vail Liquor Mart2151 N Frontage Rd W, Vail, CO 81657
 Saturday - August 3, 2024 6:45-7:45a.m.Day-of Bib PickupVail Mountain PlazaMountain Plaza, 151 Vail Rd Bldg D, Vail, CO 81657
 Saturday - August 3, 2024 8:00a.m.Race StartVail Mountain PlazaMountain Plaza, 151 Vail Rd Bldg D, Vail, CO 81657
Saturday - August 3, 2024 ~9:30a.m.Awards & RaffleMid-VailMid-Vail, Vail Mountain, Vail, CO 81657
Course Map 

PDF Course MapDigital Course Map

Pre-run the course before the signs with Ride W/ GPS! Use the digital map to follow to route and stay on course!

Course Stats 
Distance4.6 miles | 7.4K
Elevation Gain2,079'
High Point 10,154'
Low Point 8,279'
Aid Station2.2 miles
Running Surfaces100% Unpaved
Max Grade22.7%
Course Directions 
  • The race begins in Vail, next to Gondola One
  • Run up Windisch Way (up the service rd. to the east and then turn west and across a bridge)
  • Turn right and run down Gitalong Rd.
  • Turn left onto Lion Down
  • Turn right at the Lion Down split and continue towards Lionshead Village
  • Turn left and begin your climb up Berry Picker - This trail is just before the Eagle Bahn Gondola
  • Aid Station is 1 mile into the Berry Picker Climb
  • Continue climbing Berry Picker for another 1.5 miles
  • Turn left onto Lower Fireweed
  • Turn left onto Eagle's Nest Road and the finish is moments away!
Aid Stations 

There will be one (1) aid station available at mile 2.2. 

Water will be available at all aid stations to quench your thirst or cool you off!

Thanks to Skratch Labs, there will be Skratch Hydration Sport Drink and Skratch Energy Chews at Aid Stations to give you the electrolytes and energy it needs to finish strong.

The Dynafit Trail Running Series is a papercup-less race series. Please keep this in mind when preparing for the race. We highly encourage you to bring your own hydration device or reusable cups.  

Thanks to Northside Kitchen, there will be donuts and fresh fruit at race finish for you to refuel!

Bib Pickup and In-Person Registration 

Friday, August  2: Online registration closes at 3 p.m. on Friday. Racers can pick up their race numbers or register ahead of time from 4 to 6 p.m. at West Vail Liquor Mart in West Vail.

Saturday, August 3: Race day bib pickup and registration will be available in front of Vail Mountain Plaza from 6:45 to 7:45 a.m. 

Spectators: Spectators may pick up a free gondola voucher at the registration table to ride Gondola One to Mid-Vail.  The Gondola will ONLY be running from 8:00 - 8:30 a.m., afterwards it will be closed to the public until 9:30am when you can purchase a lift pass. If necessary, please allow runners and race staff to load ahead of you to get to the race start. No dogs allowed on the gondola.

Due to the early morning start we HIGHLY recommend you pick up your bib or register Friday afternoon.

2025 Race Cost 

Individual Rates: $40 preregistration, $48 week-of registration, $55 day-of registration

Student Rates (ages 13-17): $25 preregistration, $30 week-of registration, $37 day-of registration

Two runners in sportswear posing with a forest and mountains in the background.
Vail Resorts Release Of Liability Form 

All Vail Berry Picker Trail Race participants must sign and return the Vail Resorts Release of Liability Form to participate in the race. To save you time, you can print the form and bring it with you to bib pickup.

Vail Resorts Release Of Liability Form
Awards Categories & Prizes 

Awards will be presented at the race finish.

  • Awards: Prizes will be awarded to the top three males and females in the following age groups: 19 and under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70 and over

Raffle: All racers will be entered into a raffle for great prizes from our sponsors! Racers must be present to win.

T-Shirts: At race finish, make sure to pick up your custom race t-shirt (cotton or tech material)! There is a large selection of sizes for you to chose from once you finish! We alternate t-shirt material each race for the Dynafit Trail Running Series.

Food: Enjoy some delicious donuts & fresh fruit from Northside Kitchen after the race.

Three people smiling in matching shirts, at an outdoor event with running race finish line and spectators in the background.
Previous Years 

Check out Previous Race Results & Photos on the Race Results Webpage.

A huge thanks to all of our amazing sponsors for the 2024 Dynafit Vail Trail Running Series!

The VRD's Vail Trail Running Series is yours thanks to our title sponsor Dynafit and our presenting series sponsor, Bloch and Chapleau. Individual race sponsors include Town of EagleTown of MinturnElevated DentalEast West Hospitality and Mountain Haus. Partners also include Capitol Public HouseFirstBankSteadman ClinicCentral Rockies MortgageJaunt Media CollectiveYetiMountain Time LagerSkratch LabsNorthsideLululemonOptic NerveOutdoor TechVail HoneywagonVail Resorts, Arrowhead, Best Day BrewingVail Mountain Coffee & Tea CoWest Vail Liquor MartKahtoolaBlack DiamondCiele Athletics and Alpine Wine & Spirits.

A collage of various logos, likely representing sponsors or partners for an event or organization.