Overview
The Silverton 1000 Multiday Run consists of five separate running events: a 24 hour run, a 48 hour run, a 72 hour run, a 6 day run, and 1000 mile run challenge. All runs take place on a 1 mile trail loop around the Kendall Mountain Recreation Area in beautiful Silverton, Colorado at elevation 9318. Each 1 mile loop of the course features a challenging 250 feet of elevation gain and subsequent loss.
While the 24 hour, 48 hour, 72 hour, and 6 day runs are all “go as you please” format, meaning you may run or rest when you choose, in order to be eligible for the 1000 mile run challenge, you much complete at least 1 mile/loop of the course each consecutive hour of the event. In addition, there will be cutoffs in the 1000 mile run challenge of 350 miles in 6 days, 700 miles in 12 days, and all 1000 miles in 18 days.
Race Dates
The 3rd annual Silverton 1000 Multiday run will be held August 28 – September 15, 2012. All races start and end at 9:00 AM Mountain Daylight Time.
- The 1000 Mile Challenge begins on August 28 and ends September 15
- The 6 Day Run begins August 28 and ends September 3.
- The 72 Hour Run begins August 31 and ends September 3.
- The 48 Hour Run begins September 1 and ends September 3.
- The 24 Hour Run begins September 2 and ends September 3.
Location
The race course is located at the Kendall Mountain Recreation Area in Silverton, Colorado. The physical address is: 1 Kendall Place, Silverton, CO 81433
Facilities
The Kendall Mountain Recreation Area is just a third of a mile from downtown Silverton, nestled in the heart of the San Juan Mountains. The Town of SIlverton features a small grocery and hardware store, a post office, restaurants, hotels, B&B’s, the narrow gauge train, and much more.
Heated tent is a 60-foot by 100 foot tent (very much similar to what we have at Across The Years) that will be spot heated for the entire race. You can erect your own tent inside, or just lay a mat or sleeping bag on the floor – mats are definitely recommended. There are also other areas next to the trail where you can pitch your personal tent and/or aid station but when doing that, there are some restritions and a very nominal town camping fee.
With the expected number of runners in the various events, space in the heated tent will be limited. Please limit yourself to a single small tent or double up with another runner if possible (if everyone was to bring a 10′x10′ tent, which would be much bigger than what we would like to see, there would only be room for about 20 runners.) Your crew may share your tent, of course, but otherwise they should plan to set up their tent outside. The 1000 mile and 6 day runners will have first priority for prime spots.
Note: The big tent is intended for runners to rest during their event, so noise should be kept to a minimum. However, people will be going in and out of the tent at all hours, so, runners should not expect complete quiet. If you require complete quiet, this will not be the place for you to set up your personal space.
Hotels and Restaurants are available along with other accommodations and services.
Lap Recording
Your time and distance for each completed lap will be recorded automatically using the AMB i.t. Mylaps timing system. Up-to-date lap totals will be posted hourly on a board inside the main tent, and will be broadcast to the race website as often as possible. Invite your friends to watch your progress online during your run!
Each runner will wear a small transponder chip on a velcro strap around their ankle. No manual lap recording will be done.
Note: When you finish your race, you must return your transponder chip to one of the race personnel in the timing tent! The transponders cost upwards of $110 each, and you are responsible for the cost if you don’t return your chip.
Rules And Etiquette
Races begin on your designated day promptly at 9:00 AM. If you arrive late for the start of your race you may still compete, but the time you’ve missed is lost and cannot be made up.
A pre-race meeting will take place before each event at 8:45 AM. At the 9:00 AM start, you will begin circling the trail clockwise. Thereafter, you will change direction every six hours (at 3:00 PM, 9:00 PM, etc.). Many runners find this helps minimize overuse injuries as weight is shifted a bit differently on the curves. Furthermore, you may feel as though the scenery has changed.
You may leave the trail at any time. The timing system will record your down time, and you don’t need to report to race officials. If and when you decide to continue, you must return to the track at the exact same place you left it, and complete the lap you were on when you stepped off the track, in the same direction as you were going, regardless of the direction other runners are moving when you return. This ensures that you are credited with the correct number of laps.
Except for the 1000 Mile Challenge and 1000 Mile Run, there are no DNFs in the other multi-day runs. The objective in the multi-day runs is only to go as far as you can (or desire) in the allotted time. Of course, the more time you spend moving forward on the trail, the more distance you will accumulate.
If you wish to stop completely well before the official end of your race, inform the race director or whoever is in the timing area at the time, that you are quitting or leaving early and remember to turn in your chip!
All of the runs except for the 1000 mile challenge will end at exactly 9:00 AM on September 6th, 2010 (all except for the 1000 Mile Challenge). An awards ceremony will follow an hour after the conclusion of the 24, 48, 72 and 6 day event. This is a free banquet for all runners and crew members.
Some runners use their effort to raise money for charities. The Silverton Challenge donates all of its proceeds to the Silverton Kids Sports Programs, but does not endorse any other particular charity. We do fully support those that are running for other charities and applaud you if you do this with documentation of your run. The race director would like to be aware of charity fund-raising, as it helps with public relations when we get covered by the media. We will also advertise your effort on a Charitiespage of our Web site.
NO CUTTING THE CURVES. You must STAY OUTSIDE the cones or markers on the curves. The layout of the trail at KendallMountain is such that you would have to be pretty devious to cheat. Nonetheless, if you cut the curves you will be disqualified.
It is your responsibility to know the rules. They exist to provide a good experience for all runners. If you are caught cheating you will be asked to leave and will not be allowed at future Silverton running events.
Trail etiquette does not require lone runners to yield the inside lane to runners wanting to pass, regardless of whether the one being passed is running or walking at the time. It is assumed that each participant is there to do his or her best, and has an equal right to pursue personal goals. In a race of this type, it is to be expected that even the best will walk for periods of time, particularly those in the longer races. Always pass others on the outside if they are on the inside lane.
An exception to this policy is the case of two or more persons running or walking together. Persons traveling around the trail in groups should always leave an inside channel open so faster runners do not have to travel far to the outside to get around them.
In all cases, remember to show common courtesy, and that most of us run for the enjoyment and thrill of the experience.
Food
A full aid station will be provided during the first 6 days of the event, as well as breakfast and dinner each day. It is impossible to supply food that caters to individual tastes. If you desire specific types of food and drink, bring them along with your normal race gear. A microwave oven will be available for your use. After 6 days, there will be water and other minimal aid, but, we ask that you try to be somewhat self sufficient.
Food and Beverages Provided (subject to change)
Water, cola, pretzels, oatmeal, tortillas, cheese, sports drinks, M&M’s, graham crackers, coffee, potatoes, soup, fresh fruit, peanut butter, cookies, etc.
Weather
The Silverton area is blessed with some very unpredictable weather. As the old saying goes – if you don’t like the weather, just wait a few minutes! Daytime temperatures could be anywhere from below freezing to somewhere in the 60′s. Nighttime temperatures will most likely be below freezing. This event is not for the faint of heart! You will positively need some warm clothes — tights, gloves, hat, jacket, etc. During the evening hours, you will need a light.
Awards
As we have done since 2004, with our Across The Years event, we will continue to present progressive achievement awards to runners who have accumulated 1000 miles, 2000 miles and onward, in the Silverton Challenge. These awards are given regardless of which event you have competed in, over the accumulated years.
More Information
The best way to prepare for an event such as The Silverton Challenge is to talk to someone who has done it or other multi-day runs. We recommend you follow the 
ATY Page on Facebook where you may talk about these types of races among participants both experienced and new. In addition, we have accumulated a treasure trove of stories and pictures from previous ATY events.
We invite you to explore, and if you are an ultrarunner looking for a unique experience, to mark your calendars and make plans to be with us at one of the most beautiful places you’ll ever see. If you can’t be here to run, then join us during the race for the webcast.