Pony Express

Sunday
Sep 16, 2012, 8:00 am
Rampart Reservoir
Outside Woodland Park, CO

15 Mile
Trail
Run

Beautiful trail run around Rampart Reservoir at about 9,000 feet

Rampart Reservoir with Pikes Peak in the background.
Photo courtesy Jim Kelleher.


Race Directo
r:  Pat Lockhart

Registration Options

Race Day Registration Only: Starting at 7:00 am.

Event History

The Pony Express Trail Run originated quite a few years ago, as far back as 1977.  The initial PPRR newsletter of April of 1977 shows the Pony Express scheduled for October 15th.  At that time, the race was run from Woodland Park to Monument.  At one time, it was run on the Section 16 trails in SW Colorado Springs.  It has been at the Rampart Reservoir location for at least 10 years, if not more.

The event has always made an effort to celebrate all of the runners.  Thus overall and age-group awards are not given.  Instead, every finisher is given a unique award each year.

General Info

There are 2 water stops on the trail.  You are encouraged to carry additional fluids.  The race normally gets about 60-80 participants.  If you get lost easily, then this is not the course for you.

No park fees are needed, unless you plan on driving into the park.

At the request of the Forest Service, please use USFS Roads 950 and 951 for parking. (1/4 M walk to the start). There will be minimal parking on the west side of Rampart Range Road. Parking guides will be on-site to direct you to those areas. NO parking will be allowed on the east side of the road.

Please share the Rainbow Gulch's parking lot with all trail users.

Please, no dogs or baby strollers allowed on the course.  Please do not trespass onto private property.  Per PPRR race rules, headphones, i-pods, or MP3 players may not be used during the race.  Those not in compliance will be disqualified.


Permit issued under the auspices of the Pike National Forest.

Parking

At the request of the Forest Service, please use USFS Roads 950 and 951 for parking. (1/4 M walk to the start). There will be minimal parking on the west side of Rampart Range Road. Parking guides will be on-site to direct you to those areas. NO parking will be allowed on the east side of the road.

Please share the Rainbow Gulch's parking lot with all trail users.

Entry Fees (no shirt):

Race Day Registration:

$6 - PPRR Member
$10 - Non-PPRR Member

Awards

The are no overall nor age-group awards.  But each finisher is given a unique finisher award.

Results

2011 - 77 finishers
2010 -
141 finishers / photos1 / photos2 / photos3 / photos4
2009
- 103 finishers / photos1
2008
- 117 finishers
/ photos1 / photos2
2007 - 92 finishers / photos1 / photos2

2006
- 67 finishers / photos1 / photos2
2005
- 73 finishers / photos
2004 - 57 finishers / photos
2003 - 55 finishers
2002 - 46 finishers
2001 - 42 finishers
2000 - 64 finishers
1999 - 61 finishers
1998 - 69 finishers

Course Information

The course is on a single-track dirt trail that runs around the perimeter of Rampart Reservoir.  In some places, the trail is rocky with exposed tree roots.  The elevation is around 9,000 feet, with some rolling ups and downs.  Runners proceed clockwise around the reservoir, and will also run across the dam on the east end of the reservoir.


Marilyn Goodloe at 2007 race.
Photo courtesy Tom Dewane


Happy runner at 2007 race.
Photo courtesy Tom Dewane


Course Map

Follow the dashed lines for the course route.
The course goes clockwise around the reservoir.


Directions
Pony Express Trail Run

  • From I-25, take the Cimarron/Hwy 24 Exit (Exit 141)

  • At end of exit ramp, turn left and head west on Hwy 24

  • Proceed to Woodland Park

  • Take Baldwin Street (the road behind McDonald's in Woodland Park) and head north.

  • Proceed until there is a fork in the road

  • Take the right-hand fork onto Loy Creek Road

  • At the next intersection turn right onto Rampart Road

  • Drive to Rainbow Gulch (left side of road)

  • The parking area will be our staging area

At the request of the Forest Service parking is allowed ONLY on the west side of Rampart Range Road.  NO parking will be allowed on the east side of the road.

Please share the Rainbow Gulch's parking lot with all trail users.