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Devil on the Divide race photo

Devil on the Divide

The city you want to run becomes your next trip.

Devil on the Divide race photo
Devil on the Divide race photo
Empire
US
National Publicity Studios · CC BY 4.0Xnatedawgx, CC BY-SA 3.0Ken Lund · flickr (CC BY-SA)
Race date Sep expected
September 2027
City · Distance
Empire · 50km · 22km
Entry fee
$125From the 2026 edition
2027Date September 2027 · expected · Soon
2026Date Sep 12, 2026 · Entry ~ Sep 8, 2026 · Entry fee $125 · Start 07:00
Official website ↗D-day as of Oct 11, 2026
Devil on the Divide race photo
National Publicity Studios · CC BY 4.0
Devil on the Divide race photo
Xnatedawgx, CC BY-SA 3.0
Devil on the Divide race photo
Ken Lund · flickr (CC BY-SA)
About the raceRunner storiesHow to enterCourseRace PrepTravel
Why you dream of this race

THE DREAM

About Devil on the Divide — what makes it special

ABOUT THE RACE

A day you'll remember,
long past the finish line.

Held on September 12, 2026, in Empire, Colorado. Events are the 50K and 22K.

It is considered one of the most beautiful and challenging trail races in Colorado, with views over Clear Creek County and the Continental Divide —

scenery that is literally breathtaking because of the altitude.

The road to your own record

Picture the course in advance
and find the pace that fits you.

When the city cheers

Streets lined with cheers, runners all around.
You'll be part of that scene.

The trip that follows the run

Take it slow with the finish still in you,
and meet the city all over again.

Devil on the Divide runner reviews and race reports

Stories from runners who've been there.

From the joy of finishing to the tough moments — read what runners wrote themselves.

Race reports: 2
BenFinish time 6:20:43
“I liked this race a lot. It’s a great course and makes for a nice sendoff to summer.”

At Devil on the Divide 50 km, the runner took the first half comfortably with a companion, enjoying high mountain ridges and the scenery of Herman Gulch. After several later climbs, a long descent led to a finish in 6 hours 20 minutes 43 seconds and 16th place.

Read the original on Exploring the Rockies
Free Outside
“The race went poorly, but I managed to finish and find a sport and competitive outlet that lasts until this day.”

At a first Devil on the Divide 50 km, eating plenty of bacon at an aid station led to stomach pain and frequent toilet trouble in the second half. A renewed push over the last 3 miles passed other runners and brought them across the finish with a new love for trail running.

Read the original on Free Outside

We translated a short line from each public race report and summarized the experience. Finish times are as stated by the author, and past editions may differ from this year's weather and operations.

See it on video,
feel it through their stories.

Preview the course and read what runners who went before you wrote.

Devil on the Divide: Jackson Brill's Course Record Run

Trail Voices

View on YouTube

This may be from a past edition. Check the organizer for this year's course and operations.

The way in that fits you

YOUR ENTRY

How to enter Devil on the Divide — registration routes

How to reach the start line —
start with what fits you.

Here are the ways to enter and what each requires.
Check the organizer's page for whether entries are open.

From the 2026 edition
Official race websiteEntry options
From the start line to the finish

RACE WEEK

Devil on the Divide course map and elevation

Your 50km

Know the course and time limit, and race day comes into focus.

From the 2026 edition
Runners start · local timeFrom 07:00
not the start line

We have not confirmed the start line coordinates yet.

START

Minton Park, Empire, CO

Start · Google Maps

Cutoff
Both the 50K and 22K will have time limit (specific times not publicly available)

Show more

The 50K course held in Empire runs in one direction through the highlands of Clear Creek County and the Continental Divide, entirely on dirt trails.

Course Most of the route is single-track trail, with a maximum elevation of over 13,000 feet and more than 6,500 feet of elevation gain.

It is course where you can enjoy the scenery, but the altitude, long climbs and remote setting make simply finishing more difficult than achieving a fast time.

This event offers both a 50K and a 22K, and race results have been recorded since 2014.

If you withdraw from the 50K at Herman Gulch, the finish point for the 22K, no finish result will be provided.

Time limit applies to both distances, and prior ultrarunning experience is required for the 50K.

Participant benefits

Not yet confirmed in the official race guide

Where and when to collect your Devil on the Divide race bib

To the start line,
step by step.

Pick up your bib, check your wave.
So on race morning, you can just run.

From the 2026 edition

Pick up your bib at the expo

Check-in and Packet Pickup are conducted only on the morning of the competition day without prior receipt, and there are no exceptions.
You must check in at this time and receive bib and a goody bag together.
9/12 (Sat) 05:00–06:15 (race morning)

Minton Park (Empire Ball Field), S. Main Street & Cemetery Rd, Empire, CO 80438

Google Maps

Stations & transport near the venue

  • Getting to the startNone (no public transit); nearest city is Denver (~45 mi via I-70) with no bus/train service to Empire or…
  • Getting to the finishEmpire Ball Field (S. Main Street & Cemetery Rd, Empire, CO) for the 50K; Herman Gulch Trailhead parking lot for the 22K
  • Transit cardNo dedicated transit card system serves Empire, a small Colorado mountain town near Berthoud Pass; this is…

Source · checked Aug 24, 2026

More details

Getting to the start

None (no public transit); nearest city is Denver (~45 mi via I-70) with no bus/train service to Empire or Jones Pass

Start is at Jones Pass Trailhead on Henderson Mine Road, across from Henderson Mine, west of Empire, CO — explicitly "no participant parking at this location"; the mandatory shuttle (see below) is the only way in Mountain point-to-point race in Clear Creek County, CO reaching 13,000+ ft; no public transit exists in Empire — the mandatory school-bus shuttle from Empire Ball Field is required to reach the start

Map

Getting to the finish

Empire Ball Field (S. Main Street & Cemetery Rd, Empire, CO) for the 50K; Herman Gulch Trailhead parking lot for the 22K

50K finishers arrive at Empire Ball Field, the race's central check-in/parking hub; 22K finishers at Herman Gulch are then bused back to Empire Ball Field

Map

Start shuttle

Mandatory — Clear Creek School District buses depart Empire Ball Field at 6:30am sharp carrying all participants and spectators to the Jones Pass start; there is no alternative since parking is not permitted at the start

Transit card

No dedicated transit card system serves Empire, a small Colorado mountain town near Berthoud Pass; this is a car-access rural trail venue. Standard cash/card is fine for gas, parking, or any incidental purchases in town.

Source · checked Aug 24, 2026
READY TO RUN

From race morning to after the finish.

Your start time, fuel and bag drop.
Know them ahead and the run feels easier.

For the 50K, you need to prepare your ultrarunning history before entering.

If your previous results are not registered on UltraSignup, you must provide your race history,

and if an exception is needed, you must get approval from the race organizers before registering.

You must accurately choose the distance you will actually run, either 50K or 22K, and you should also factor into your training plan that time limit applies.

Because you must be able to handle elevations above 13,000 feet and cumulative ascent of at least 6,500 feet,

marathon training on flat ground may not be enough.

Before the start, it is safer to decide whether to participate based on high-altitude trail and ultrarunning experience.

In the event of severe weather or a wildfire, the race may be postponed, shortened,

or canceled, and even if course is changed or canceled, Entry fee will not be refunded.

Times are local to Empire. Check the latest official information before the race.

A trip built around the race

STAY A LITTLE

MAKE IT A RUNTRIP

The race is one day,
the trip can be longer.

From a hotel that makes race morning easy,
to the meals and views you'll enjoy with the medal on.

Denver｜Private Airport Pickup/Drop-off Service at Denver International Airport

$77

View on Klook

Half-Day Small-Group Tour of Denver's Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre

$29

View on Klook

Bierstadt Cabin at Base Camp Lodging Company

Accommodation · 4.0km

7.8/10(11)
View on Booking.com

Hotels near the Devil on the Divide start line in Empire

Hotels that make race morning easy

View all →

Distances are straight-line from the start.
Check real travel times and booking terms with each hotel.

Bierstadt Cabin at Base Camp Lodging Company

Accommodation · 4.0km

7.8/10(11)
View on Booking.com

Swipe sideways to see more hotels.

Time for you, before and after the finish

View all →

Rest a little, wander a little.
Pick what suits you and whoever you're with.

Denver｜Private Airport Pickup/Drop-off Service at Denver International Airport

$77

View on Klook

Where runners eat in Empire

Eating well is part of the trip

View all →

A meal before the race, a dinner to celebrate the finish.

What to see in Empire after the race

Seeing Empire with the medal on

View all →

The city you ran — this time, a little slower.

Half-Day Small-Group Tour of Denver's Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre

$29

View on Klook

Denver RiNo Art District, Downtown & Red Rocks Day Tour

$495

View on Klook

Hotel distances are straight-line from the start. Experiences, food and sights are travel products in Empire.

Total cost and budget for Devil on the Divide

TRAVEL ESSENTIALS

Trip prep too,
light and in one place.

ChecklistLocal eSIM · Trip.comFlight delay or cancellation compensation · AirHelpPace calculator

Once saved, you can open this page without an internet connection

Runner stories and questions about Devil on the Divide

RUN TOGETHER

With runners who dream of
the same start line.

Be the first runner
Leave this room's first post

Empire runners' room

Frequently asked questions about Devil on the Divide

FAQ
When does Devil on the Divide 2027 take place?

Not officially announced yet.

It's expected in September 2027;

the 2026 race was held on Sat, September 12, 2026.

How much is the Devil on the Divide 2027 entry fee?

Not announced yet. The 2026 race entry fee was about $125.

What distances does Devil on the Divide 2027 offer?

Ultra. (From the 2026 edition)

What time does Devil on the Divide 2027 start?

The race starts at 07:00. (From the 2026 edition)

What are the Devil on the Divide 2027 cutoff times?

Both the 50K and 22K will have time limit (specific times not publicly available).

(From the 2026 edition)

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