Golden, CO, United States · Saturday, December 5, 2026

Fixed Distance 50K

Sawmill 55k Race

80 days away

55 km Distance

2,580 m Climbing

6.6 Grit · Hardcore

39.7555° N, 105.2211° W© OpenFreeMap © OpenMapTiles Data from OpenStreetMap

What the course asks

Climbing rate 47 m / km Mountain. Significant climbing. Steep sections will require power hiking.

Time limit 10 hours 10:55 min/km average. Generous. Walkable throughout for most of the field. About average for a 50K. Measured against 1007 races of the same distance. Cut-off calculator →

Field size ~52 Small. Long stretches with nobody in sight.

DUV results for the 2025 edition (55km) — finishers only. Starters are not published, so the field was at least this big and no finish rate can be given.

Typical conditions, December

Daytime high 4°C

Night low -7°C

Rainfall Dry — rain unlikely

Daylight 9 h 31 m of light

Regional 2001-2020 average for December — NASA POWER, grid elevation 1801 m. Not a forecast.

The Aid Station

Course-specific beta from the community

⛰️ terrain

This is a mountain course. Poles are highly recommended for the sustained climbs.

By UltraHub Expert

👟 gear

With trail terrain, choose a shoe with moderate cushioning for optimal performance.

By UltraHub Expert

Gear for this race

Chosen for 55 km of trail with 2,580 m of ascent.

Trail Running Shoes47 m of climb per kilometre — grip and rock protection before cushioning.
Race Nutrition55 km of self-supported fuelling between aid stations.
Hydration VestsPole attachment and chest-strap stability on steep ground.
Trekking Poles2,580 m of ascent to walk up.
GPS WatchesBattery life first — a 55 km day outlasts most full-GPS modes.

Brooks

Catamount 3

RunRepeat found the Brooks Catamount 3 to have a cozier upper that enhances the overall fit, though breathability and durability could be better. iRunFar noted…

★★★★★ 4.5

Salomon

Sense Ride 5

RunRepeat found the Salomon Sense Ride 5 to have immaculate lockdown and a smooth and stable ride, making it confident on moderate trails and steep downhills. I…

★★★★★ 4.5

Maurten

Gel 100

Hydrogel technology for 25g carbs per gel with minimal GI distress.

$3.5 ★★★★★ 4.7

Nathan

VaporKrar 12L

12L race vest co-designed with ultra champion Rob Krar, with insulated bladder pocket.

$170 ★★★★★ 4.6

Komperdell

Carbon Ultralight Vario 4

4-section folding carbon poles with compact pack size for mandatory gear.

$160 ★★★★★ 4.5

Garmin

Enduro 3

Ultra-endurance GPS watch with solar charging and 300+ hour battery in GPS mode.

$900 ★★★★★ 4.8

All gear guides →

Course Notes

Weaving and rambling across the various steep rolling hills of Jefferson County’s White Ranch Park. It is a figure 8 loop on mostly single track trail and partially on double track fire road.

Similar races

Other 50K trail ultras, closest in distance first.