SANGRE DE CRISTO
TRAIL FESTIVAL

RUNNER VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENT: Eight (8) hours of volunteer work is required for each participant prior to the event. All eight (8) hours must be completed while either performing trail construction or maintenance, or as a race volunteer at any official ultramarathon. The eight (8) hours of service must be certified by a representative from the organization you volunteered with. The eight (8) hours does NOT need to be with HPRS. The volunteer service must be performed between September 1, 2025 and August 31, 2026. Please download and complete the form below; it must be submitted by 11:59:59pm on September 1, 2026.

Those who choose not to complete the 8-hours of volunteer work may "Buy-Out" of this requirement during the registration process by paying a one time donation to Altitude Community Fitness (our event's benefactor) in the amount of $150. Those who do not submit their Volunteer Service Requirement Form by September 1st, will be required to go the buy-out route for entry into the event.

Volunteer Service Requirement Form (<Click Here to Download Form)

Sangre allows mid-race drop-downs at specific points, where you can officially finish a shorter distance if you decide not to complete your original race. You’ll still earn a finisher’s award and be listed in the results for the distance you dropped into. No shame in listening to your body.

Drop-Down Rules

• You must switch distances at a designated drop-down point

• You must check in at that location (except when dropping into the 50k)

• No drop-down option is available for the 8-Mile distance

• There are no refunds or credits for the difference in distance

Eligible Drop-Downs

• 27K, 50K, 50M, 100K, 100M runners

  → May drop down to the 8-Mile at Music Meadows I

• 50M runners

  → May drop to the 50K by turning around at the Macey Creek Turnaround

  → If you check in at Horn Creek and do not finish the full 50M, you will be marked DNF

• 100K runners

  → May drop to the 50K by turning around at the Macey Creek Turnaround

  → May drop to the 50M at Music Pass II

• 100M runners

  → May drop to the 50K by turning around at the Macey Creek Turnaround

  → May drop to the 50M at Music Meadows II

  → May drop to the 100K at Music Meadows III

At HPRS, we respect smart decisions. If you’re not feeling it out there, it’s okay to scale back. Make the call that keeps you in the game for the long haul. 

Event check-in will take place at the Start/Finish area on private land before Grape Creek Trailhead on County Road 119, Westcliffe, CO 81252

Times:
Friday 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Saturday 3:00 AM - 6:00 AM 
Sunday 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM

Recorded then uploaded to our Facebook Page and YouTube Channel

Crews & Spectators

Sangre de Cristo Crew & Pacer Manual

General Access

• All runners may have crew/spectator support at the Start/Finish Area only (Music Meadows Aid Station).

• This is the only guaranteed crew location for 50-Mile and 100K runners.

  • 50-Milers pass Music Meadows once

  • 100K runners pass it twice

100-Mile Crew Access

• The 100-mile race is limited to 50 runners total

• Each 100-miler may have one crew vehicle

• That vehicle may access Horn Creek and Venable aid stations

• A vehicle placard will be issued at check-in and must be displayed at all times when accessing these areas

Crew Capacity Limits

• If more than 25 runners in the 100M field have a crew:

  • Crews will be split into two groups: Crew Lot 1 and Crew Lot 2

  • This is to reduce congestion at tight trailheads

Crew Lot Rules

• Crew Lot 1

  • Access Horn Creek on the first out-and-back

  • Access Venable on the second out-and-back

• Crew Lot 2

  • Access Venable on the first out-and-back

  • Access Horn Creek on the second out-and-back

• If fewer than 25 crews are present on race day, or if the total drops below 25 mid-race, the split will be removed, and all crews may access both aid stations on both passes.

Start/Finish Area

• Crews may tend to 100M runners at Music Meadows every time they pass through.

• No additional restrictions apply here

Why These Limits?

The road to Colony Creek is extremely rough and requires high-clearance 4x4 vehicles. There is no legal or permitted parking for crews along the rest of the course. Trailhead areas (like Horn Creek and Venable) are small, public access points, and our permit requires us to ensure access for other trail users.

Crewing or spectating outside approved zones is strictly prohibited. This is a condition of our permit and is non-negotiable.

Pacers

Pacers are NOT allowed for the 8-Mile, 27K, or 50K distances.

Pacers must:

• Be dropped off at the aid station only (no lingering, no extra parking)

• Sign a pacer waiver

• Wear a pacer bib

• Carry a headlamp (no exceptions)

50-Mile Runners

• May pick up a pacer at Venable (Mile 35.1)

100K Runners

• May pick up a pacer at:

  • Venable (Mile 29.6)

  • Horn Creek 2 (Mile 35.3)

  • Music Meadows 2 (Mile 50.6)

100-Mile Runners

• May pick up a pacer at:

  • Music Meadows 2 (Mile 50.6)

  • Horn Creek 3 (Mile 66.1)

  • Venable (Mile 71.6)

  • Horn Creek 4 (Mile 77.3)

  • Music Meadows 3 (Mile 92.6)

Check the Aid Station Chart Sheet for exact mileage and pickup options.

All participants are allowed to have a drop bag at Music Meadows, as well as Horn Creek and Venable for those who are going there. Drop bags should be dropped off on race morning prior to the start of your event.  All participants may have access to their drop bag every time they are at Music Meadows. You are also allowed access to your car or tent. 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. 

All participants and spectators will park on-site at the start/finish area. A map of this areas will be available closer to the race. 

All participants who complete their challenge will receive a unique finisher's award. All official 100-mile finishers will receive a Sangre de Cristo Endurance Run belt buckle highlighting their achievement. We'll also present our DFL 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 the U.S. Forest Service, San Isabel National Forest – San Carlos Ranger District, and two private land owners. 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.

Want to earn a Sangre de Cristo 200-mile finisher's buckle?

After the 2024 running of the Sangre de Cristo 200-mile, we terminated the distance due to a lack of interest. We still have several Sangre de Cristo 200-mile finisher buckles left over.

If you want to earn your own Sangre de Cristo 200-mile finisher's buckle, here's how:

1.) You must run 100-Miles between 4:00am MT on Wednesday, September 24, 2025 and 4:00am MT on Saturday, September 27, 2025.

• This 100-miles must be run within the window provided above.
• This 100-miles must be run anywhere in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Where and how is up to you. We suggest a point-to-point running of the Rainbow Trail from its beginning near Poncha Springs on US-285. From this point, our event site is 99.12 Miles (+/-) away, with 19,612' of Climb and 19,885' of Descent along the route. While we suggest this route, again... the route you decide is ultimately up to you.
• This first 100-mile adventure should be supported by your crew and/or pacers in whatever manner you see fit. The only requirement is to run 100 miles on foot following all normal race rules and regulations (no pacing via vehicle or bike). 
• You must provide HPRS with a gpx track of your first 100 miles before the official Sangre de Cristo 100-mile ends on Sunday. 

2.) After completing your first 100 miles within the aforementioned window, you must then complete the official Sangre de Cristo 100-mile within its official cut-off of 38 hours.

3.) Only those who register for and finish the official Sangre de Cristo 100-mile race in addition to their self-supported 100-mile adventure in the days prior will be provided with a 200-mile Finisher's buckle.
• You will only receive one (1) Finisher's Buckle, not the 100-Mile and 200-Mile Finisher Buckles.
• Those who fail to complete the self-supported 100 miles before the official Sangre de Cristo 100-mile but then go on to finish the official Sangre de Cristo 100-mile event will receive a Sangre de Cristo 100-mile finisher's buckle.

The term "Self-supported" within the narrative above refers to you figuring out your own support system. It refers to HPRS not being responsible for you or to you. You run the first 100 miles at your own risk and utilizing your own judgment.