SAWMILL TRAIL RUNS
8th Annual
50k: Saturday, December 6, 2025 7:00 AM
16-Mile: Saturday, December 6, 2025 8:00 AM
8-Mile: Saturday, December 6, 2025 8:00 AM
Time Limit: 12-Hours (50k) | 11 Hours (8 & 16 Mile)
Runner Capacity: 250 (Combined All Distances)
Start/Finish: Ranch Hand Group Picnic Area
Staunton State Park in Pine, CO
The Sawmill Trail Runs; first started as a “Fat Ass” event at White Ranch Open Space in Golden, CO in December 2013. We incorporated it into an official trail race starting in December 2017. In 2021, this event was moved to its new home at Staunton State Park in Pine, CO featuring 50k, 16-Mile, and 8-Mile distance options.
Staunton State Park is a gem within Colorado’s State Park system. From high grassy meadows at 8,100 feet to soaring granite cliffs over 10,000 feet, Staunton State Park’s varied geology, soils, water features, and climate support rare and unexpected plant communities and a rich diversity of wildlife and provide a myriad of outdoor recreation opportunities. The park is located approximately 40 miles southwest of downtown Denver, north of US Highway 285 and about six miles west of Conifer in Pine, CO.
Entry Fees
The above prices do not include taxes and registrar fees applied at checkout. “All-In Pricing” is visible on the registration page on RunSignUp.com
**NOTE** The Sawmill Trail Runs have sold out in each of the previous seven editions of the event. Before the 2025 running, our runner capacity for the event was 200 runners. We added 50 more slots in 2023 and 2024, bringing our capacity to 250 to accommodate more runners. Starting in 2025, our capacity limit will indeed be 250 runners. Once those spots are sold out, a first-come-first-served waitlist will be implemented. In 2024, the first 200 entries were sold before Halloween. The additional 50 were sold out before Thanksgiving. We cannot stress enough the importance of signing up early to guarantee yourself a spot. We cannot guarantee any movement off of the waitlist.
SIGN UP FOR AN ADVENTURE
Registration for the 2025 Event Opens October 1, 2025*Any registration purchased after Monday, November 24, 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 December 3, 2025 at 11:59pm.
We welcome race day registration as space allows.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Gender specific race shirt*
Finisher’s medal*
Scenic and challenging course
Well stocked aid stations
Inclusion, Equality, and Community
WEATHER: It’s December in Colorado and the weather, as always, is incredibly unpredictable. There have been years were temps have soared into the low 60’s, frigid years with below zero temps at the start, years with dry trails and no trace of winter, and years where a foot of snow has fallen during the event. It is our every intention to host this event regardless of the varied weather and trail conditions. We must note that the health and safety of all runners and volunteers, as well as maintaining the integrity of the park’s trails, is paramount. In the event that conditions dictate a cancellation, our full refund and credit policies will remain intact.
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.
For a downloadable PDF version of course elevation profiles, please CLICK HERE.
For a downloadable PDF version of the Aid Station Chart, please CLICK HERE.
To access the runner's google drive for this event, please CLICK HERE.
For previous year's results and race reports, please CLICK HERE.
HPRS does not provide lodging services or a camping option for this event. We encourage participants to look into lodging and food options in the surrounding towns in order to support the local community and its economy. Nearby towns and their distance from the race venue are listed below.
Conifer/Aspen Park: 7.4 Miles (11 min)
Morrison: 21.6 Miles (29 min)
Golden: 30.9 Miles (38 min)
Lakewood: 29.4 Miles (38min)
Downtown Denver: 39.4 Miles (47 min)
Closest Airports:
Denver International (DIA) 60 Miles (1 Hour 2 min)
The weather is incredibly unpredictable in the Colorado Mountains. Please note that this event takes place at 8,000' and higher. The weather here is totally different than the weather in Denver. Adversely, this event could experience rain, snow, or wind. Temperatures could be unseasonably frigid (below zero) or unseasonably warm (60s).
Average High: 44˚
Average Low: 17˚
Sun Rise: 7:09 AM
Sun Set: 4:38 PM
Total Daylight: 9 Hours 29 Minutes
Traction devices such as micro-spikes are welcome should conditions permit. Snowshoes will also be permitted in the event of snow depths exceeding 6". No other flotation devices will be approved. In the event of deep snow and treacherous conditions on the 50k's first loop, the loop will be closed and we'll ask 50k runners to endure the 16-Mile course, twice consecutively.
Event check-in will take place from 6:00am - 8:00am on event morning at the Start/Finish area, Staunton State Park, Ranch Hand Picnic Area, 12102 S Elk Creek Rd, Pine, CO 80470
Held virtually during the week leading up to the event.
Spectators are only permitted at the start/finish line of the event. They will have to drive their own vehicle into the race site and pay all applicable state park entry fees on their own accord.
Due to limitations outlined in our permits, crews and/or pacers are prohibited. All participants should plan to tackle the challenges of this event on their own accord.
All participants are allowed to have a drop bag at the start/finish area ONLY. Drop bags should be dropped off on race morning prior to the start of your event.ﾠ All participants may have access to their drop bag every time they are at the start/finish area.
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.ﾠ
All participants and spectators must park at the designated parking locations ONLY. A map of these areas will be available closer to the race.
We may implement that all runner's park at the US 285 & Mountain View Park N Ride on US 285. Should this be implemented, we will manage a volunteer shuttle operation to get all runners in and out of the race site. This is to limit our impact on the state park to allow other users to enjoy the park. The park n ride address is 11770 Old US Hwy 285, Conifer, CO 80433
All participants who complete their challenge will receive a unique finisher's award. We'll also present our DFL, Transcendence Awards, and an award for our Ugly Holiday Sweater contest.
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 Staunton 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.
Any additional race information, changes, and updates will be sent to registered entrants ONLY via e-mail communication.