Vail HillClimb set for Sunday

A featured race of the 2015 La Sportiva Mountain Cup, the race will test local, regional and national runners with an approximately 7.5 mile climb from Vail Village to Vail Mountain’s summit, a gain of 2,500 vertical feet. The race begins at 8 a.m. in Vail Village on the paved road adjacent to Vail’s Mountain Haus and ascends on gravel trails taking runners to the finish line at Eagle’s Nest. This is the third race in the seven race series, which is presented by Anthem BlueCross BlueShield and Vail’s Mountain Haus.

Individual race costs are $32 for preregistration or $42 on race day. Registration is available by going to www.vailrec.com/sports/trail-running-racing or by calling 970-479-2280. Day of registration will occur at the race start area from 6:30 to 7:45 a.m. Bib pickup will also be available from 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday at Sports Authority, located in West Vail. Racers should park in the Vail Village parking structure at the race start or at the Lionshead parking structure where parking is free for the summer. The Eagle Bahn Gondola in Lionshead will operate from 8 to 8:30 a.m. for race-day spectators and volunteers. Spectators must present a lift voucher prior to loading Gondola. Lift Vouchers are available during bib pick-up from 3 to 6 p.m. Friday at Sports Authority in West Vail and from 6:30-7:45 a.m. at the start of the race. The gondola will stop running at 8:30 a.m. Failure to load by 8:30 a.m. will result in waiting until the gondola reopens at 9 a.m. and paying for a one-day scenic gondola ride ticket. Post-race, the gondola will be free for racers and spectators to download back to Lionshead Village.

Prizes will be presented to the top three finishers and overall finishers of each age group, both male and female. La Sportiva will provide winners of each age category a pair of mountain running shoes of their choice. Raffle prize drawings also will be held at each race awards ceremony featuring products from area merchants and national companies.

Joining 2015 series title sponsor La Sportiva and presenting sponsor Anthem BlueCross Blue Shield are individual race sponsors TIGA Advertising, The Dusty Boot, Vail Valley Charitable Fund, FirstBank of Vail, Haute Route Gear & Apparel, Howard Head Sports Medicine and Vail’s Mountain Haus. Partners also include Sports Authority, SmartWool, Vail Resorts, Beaver Creek Resort Company, The Steadman Clinic, Steadman Philippon Research Institute, Central Rockies Mortgage, Northside Coffee and Kitchen, Vail Mountain Coffee and Tea, Kind Design, AmericInn, Gatorade, Honey Stinger, KZYR 97.7, Optic Nerve, Skratch Labs and Camelbak. Sponsors joining for the Summer Solstice include the Vail Daily, Beck Building Company, TV8, Brill Insurance Agency and Xerox High Country Copiers.

Volunteers are needed at each race and will receive a T-shirt and other items for their help.

For more information or to become a race series sponsor, call the VRD Sports Department at 970-479-2280 or go to www.vailrec.com/sports/trail-running-racing.