STORIES TRAIL RUNS

8th Annual
15-Hour: Saturday, February 15, 2025 7:00 AM
30-Hour: Saturday, February 15, 2025 7:00 AM


10k: Sunday, February 16, 2025 7:00 AM

Half: Sunday, February 16, 2025 7:00 AM
6-Hour: Sunday, February 16, 2025 7:00 AM

Runner Capacity: 225 (Combined)

Start/Finish: Cheyenne Mountain State Park || Colorado Springs, CO

The Stories Trail Runs is a unique winter trail running adventure taking place in Colorado Springs, CO against the breathtaking backdrop of Cheyenne Mountain, and “America’s Mountain” Pike’s Peak, with sweeping views of the Colorado Front Range below. This event features an amazing community atmosphere made possible by our main staging area/aid station at the start/finish of each loop. The Stories timed events (30-hr, 15-hr, 6-hr) are unique in that rather than repeating loops on the same 1-2 mile track, participants will enjoy multiple loops spread out through Cheyenne Mountain State Park. Timed events are also unique in that runners are challenged with running as many miles as they can or want within their allotted time. Our trail 10k and Half Marathon round out the weekend as shorter distance options where runners can still enjoy the communal aspect of HPRS while enjoying a fantastic trail race along select trails within the State Park. 

Entry Fees

SIGN UP FOR AN ADVENTURE

2025 REGISTRATION OPENS OCTOBER 1, 2024
Register Here

*Any registration purchased after Monday, February 3, 2025 is not guaranteed a race shirt or finisher’s award. After this date, these items will only be provided as available at the finish line.
Online Registration closes February 11, 2025 at 11:59pm.
We welcome race day registration as space allows.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

Gender specific race shirt*
Finisher’s medal*
Camping (30-Hour & 15-Hour)
Scenic and challenging course
Well stocked aid stations
Belt Buckles for 100 and 150 mile finishers
Inclusion, Equality, and Community

NOTE: While February is one of the least snowiest months of the year in the area, weather this time of year is incredibly unpredictable. We have received snow in the days leading up to the event and on race weekend in previous years. The event is held even if snow is present. In the event that snow is not present Cheyenne Mountain State Park is also known for its permafrost, which creates muddy conditions in various locations throughout the park. Mud is always a real possibility (guaranteed) at this event. Please note that HPRS and our land management partners reserve the right to alter the course at any time; and also reserve the right to cancel the event as a result of poor or deteriorating conditions. There are no refunds, full or partial, in the event of a cancellation or major edit to the logistics of the event. Thank you for your understanding. 

ABOUT THE ADVENTURE

HPRS provides volunteers with $5-$15/hour in HPRS Credits for whatever time they provide in support of our events. To volunteer for this event, please register for volunteer slots HERE.

To learn more about our volunteer program, Click Here.

Our interactive course maps on CalTopo allow you to visualize each course. To access these maps, please Click Here

For a downloadable PDF version of our course maps, please CLICK HERE.

To watch our course preview video with the race director, please CLICK HERE

For a downloadable PDF version of course elevation profiles, please CLICK HERE

There is no aid station chart for this race. Every loop starts and finishes at the main aid station/staging area. This area is also the start/finish line. Please see loop mileages for understanding how far you will be between aid station access.

To access the runner's google drive for this event, please CLICK HERE

For previous year's results and race reports, please CLICK HERE.

CAMPING: We have built a night of camping into the registration fees for the 30-Hour and 15-hour races (Friday and Saturday Nights). Any 6-hour runner looking to camp on either night, will need to reserve additional space. Please check our camping page for more info. For this event we allow tent camping, camper vans, roof top tents, and camp trailers <12' in length. You may sleep in your vehicle free of charge. Runners are also welcome to reserve their own camping or cabin reservations within Cheyenne Mountain State Park, but these options are all outside of the Swift Puma Campground where our event takes place.

The race venue is in Colorado Springs, CO on the southwest side of town. Across the street from the state park is Fort Carson, and it's also not far from the City of Fountain. Given that this event takes place in a major metropolitan area, there are countless options for Hotels, Restaurants, and things to do.

Closest Airports:
Colorado Springs (COS) 10.3 Miles (17 min)
Denver International (DIA) 92.1 Miles (1 hr 23 min)

The weather this time of year is incredibly unpredictable in Colorado. This event could experience rain, snow, and/or wind. Temperatures could be unseasonably cold or unseasonably warm. We've run in over 2 FEET of snow, and on relatively dry trails. This state park is known for MUD if it gets too warm. We've run in single digits temps with windchills of -18˚, and high temps near 60˚. 

Average High: 47˚
Average Low: 20˚

Sun Rise: 6:50 AM
Sun Set: 5:36 PM
Total Daylight: 11 Hours 46 Minutes

HISTORICAL TEMPERATURE DATA

2024: H 47˚, L 11˚
2023:
H 56˚, L 26˚
2022: H 53˚, L 8˚
2021: H 57˚, L 16˚
2020: H 39˚, L 19˚
2019: H 48˚, L 19˚
2018: H 48˚, L 20˚

Stories Half Marathon

This multi-loop course requires runners to complete our Blue then Purple loops for 13.01 Miles with 1,901' of gain

Stories 10k

This multi-loop course requires runners to complete our Red then Green loops for 6.64 Miles with 883' of gain

15-Hour and 30-Hour Stories Ultra

This one-of-a-kind timed event features a multi-loop course with 4 loops that each builds in distance and elevation gain upon the previous loop. Runners must run the sequence in order for it to count. 
Loop 1: Red = 2.81 Miles with 354′ of gain
Loop 2: Green = 3.72 Miles with 493′ of gain
Loop 3: Blue = 5.68 Miles with 802′ of gain
Loop 4: The Purple People Eater = 7.38 Miles with 1,121′ of gain

This entire sequence accounts for 19.59 Miles with 2,769′ of gain. Once a runner completes this sequence, they will start it again with Red.

The Golden Hour: Gold Loop = 0.81 Miles with 83′ of gain
This loop will be used during the final "GOLDEN HOUR" of each timed race. During the final hour of each event, the only loop you will be allowed to start will be Gold. Family, friends, pacers, volunteers.. everyone is welcome to run the Gold Loop with you during the Golden Hour.

6-Hour Stories Ultra

This is one-of-a-kind for a timed event on a multi-loop course. The multi-loop course features 2 loops that each builds distance and gain upon itself collectively. 6-hour participants will only run on the Red and Green loops, alternating loops each time out. 
Loop 1: Red = 2.81 Miles with 354′ of gain
Loop 2: Green = 3.72 Miles with 493′ of gain
This entire sequence accounts for 6.53 Miles with 847′ of Gain. Complete this sequence 4x (8 laps) for 26.12 miles with 3,388' of elevation gain.
The 6-Hour also ends with the Gold/Yellow loop in the final hour. 

Starts an hour and a half prior to the start of each race (5:30am-7a Saturday and 5:30a-7a Sunday) all at the Swift Puma Campground within Cheyenne Mountain State Park, 410 JL Ranch Heights Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80926

Bibs, race shirts and all associated race swag may only be picked up in person by the registered runner.

Held virtually during the week leading up to the event.

A NOTE ON CREWS/SPECTATORS (15 and 30-Hour Only): Crews may assist runners at anytime from the main aid station at Swift Puma Camping Area. Crews and spectators are NOT permitted to assist runners from any other location within the state park or along the course. This is grounds for disqualification. Crews and spectators may hike within the park, but only on trails the event does not utilize. Crews and spectators will be required to pay their own entry fees into the State Park, and must do so at the park entrance gate.

PACERS (30-Hour ONLY): Pacers can join their 30-hour runner starting Saturday at 8pm. Participants aged 65 years or older may have a pacer at any time for the duration.

Drop bags are welcome at the start/finish area. You may utilize your drop bag in between every loop. You are also welcome to access your vehicle which will be parked in the area immediately surrounding the main staging area as well. Please leave nothing of value in your bag. Do not leave your drop bag behind. All abandoned drop bags are disposed of immediately at the conclusion of the event. 

You must complete your last loop within the window of your event. If you are in the 6-hour and you finish your final loop at 6:00:01 on the race clock, your final lap will not count. The same goes for 15:00:01 in the 15-hour and 30:00:01 in the 30-hour respectively.  Runners in the half marathon and 10k must be done by 1pm, which is a 6 hour cut-off.

All participants who complete their challenge will receive a unique finisher's award. Timed runners who reach the 100-mile threshold will receive a 100-mile buckle. We'll also present our Purple People Eater (Adversity) and Transcendence Awards. HPRS does not have a podium or age group awards, please see our Awards Page for more details.

NO AWARDS WILL BE MAILED

This event is being held in accordance with permits from Cheyenne Mountain State Park and Colorado Parks & Wildlife. We ask that you please respect and care for the land this event is held on to help ensure the future of this race and to limit our environmental impact.

           

On the back of every runner's bib will be a thought provoking question that we hope inspires your story. After the conclusion of the event, we will schedule a time for you to answer your question for an episode of The Human Potential Running Series Podcast. Don’t be shy, everyone has a story that matters, and we are thrilled that you may be sharing yours with us. Of course we should note, sharing your answer or story is not at all required to participate in this event.

Any additional race information, changes, and updates will be sent to registered entrants ONLY via e-mail communication.

SIGN UP FOR AN ADVENTURE

2025 REGISTRATION OPENS OCTOBER 1, 2024
Register Here