Thumbs Up Summer Slam

​Join us for the Estes Epic on September 26-27, 2026 —a premier event featuring a 50k Bike Race, 50k Run, and Heavy Half Marathon. After a six-year hiatus, this challenging race returns, offering participants rugged trails, significant climbs, and breathtaking views of Rocky Mountain National Park.

Event Details:

50k Bike Race: Tackle 50 kilometers of demanding terrain, designed for seasoned cyclists seeking a true test of endurance and bike handling skills.

50k Run: Experience a 50-kilometer trail run through some of Colorado's most untamed wilderness, perfect for your first jump to the Ultra distance with generous cut offs.

Heavy Half Marathon: A more accessible yet still formidable option, this race offers a substantial challenge with equally stunning scenery.​

Epic Double: 50k MTB | 50k Run This is the real Epic

Support a Great Cause:

Your participation directly supports the Estes Park High School Mountain Bike Team. Proceeds help cover race fees, equipment costs, and transportation, ensuring all students have the opportunity to compete. Team members will be actively involved, volunteering at aid stations and serving as course marshals.​

Aid Stations:

50k will have 3 aid stations, with two of them you hit twice meaning you'll have 5 stops along the course.

Miles: 5.6, 8, 16, 21.5, 25.5

The Heavy Half hits the first aid station twice.

Miles: 5.6, 9.7

Aid stations will have

Water

Epic endurance fuel

Salty and Sweet snacks

Packaged food

Email us for a $20 discount code if you are one or more of the following:​

Estes Valley Student​

Member of Estes Valley Trail Runners​

Teacher​

First Responder​

Active Duty Military​

Veteran​

Prepare for an unforgettable adventure in the heart of Colorado's wilderness. Register now to secure your spot in the Estes Epic!

50k Route

Epic 50 Route Link

Heavy Half Route

Caltopo Heavy Half

Description

$1,000 cash prize + buckles for 100 milers!Our race takes place just outside beautiful Estes Park Colorado at a private camp. The Backyard Ultra is a form of Ultra Trail race where runners must complete 4.167 miles in less than one hour, every hour, until only one runner remains to complete a lap.This runner is crowned the winner and only finisher, while all others will be marked as DNF. There is no predetermined end length or time - we go until only one remains.....

Course Info

Rocky's Backyard is hosted on trails bordering Rocky Mountain National Park with roughly 500' of vertical gain per yard.

Included

Custom Fractel beanie DNF or finishers awardStocked aid station

Weather

October in Rocky can present all four seasons in a dayAverage weather is 50s in the day, 20s at night and a 10% chance of major snowWe are in the heart of the mountains - come prepared for anything and everything.

Event's current local time: 2:30 AM MT

Runner Info

Start/Finish line will be at Upper Cookout at YMCA of the Rockies - 2515 Tunnel Rd, Estes Park, CO 80511All distances start at 9am.Parking is plentiful in all paved lots. An email will go out to all participants race week with additional information.

Routes

Our race is a 10kish loop with 1,200ft of gain per loop with most of that packed into the Bible Point ascent. Loops 2-6 for the longer races are a little shorter and are on flowing single track trail, packed dirt and a short section of gravel.

Description

Samson was THE celebrity elk of the Rockies until he was illegally poached in 1995 at the YMCA.Our race runs on Samson's home turf, The YMCA of the Rockies, which his descendants still call home.The course is fast single track with a big summit slapped in the middle.This is Samson’s RevengeAll registrations include a $29 day pass to the YMCA of the Rockies grounds.

Swag

All runners will receive a custom Fractel hat and wool finisher socks.

Aid Stations

There are 2 aid stationsThe start/finish lineTop of Bible PointBoth will have water, electrolyte drink, plenty of snacks and food.

Event's current local time: 2:48 AM MT