Triple Trail Challenge back to in-person races this summer

The first event will be the Round Valley Rambler half marathon and 7K on June 11. Photo: Triple Trail Challenge

PARK CITY, Utah — After two years of virtual races, the Triple Trail Challenge will return to Park City this summer with three separate events in June, July, and August.

The event, which has been around almost 30 years, is put on by the Salt Lake Running Company (SLRC) in partnership with the Mountain Trails Foundation, Deer Valley Resort, and Park City Mountain.

Organizers are excited to get back to in-person events after two summers of internet racing.

“People want the energy, they want the camaraderie, they want the connection,” said Guy Perry, the owner of SLRC. “There’s something that a race on race day with all that’s going on — it’s like live music. There’s a reason it’s awesome to see somebody doing it live.”

Schedule (runttc.com):

Round Valley Rambler – June 11, 2022: 100% of the course takes place on prime, buff single and double track in Round Valley which sits at an altitude between 6,500’ and 7100′. While athletes will find the trails foot-friendly, the rolling, high-desert terrain presents a few long and steady climbs followed by fast downhills.

Jupiter Peak Steeplechase – July 16, 2022: This is a Park City favorite with an elevation profile that resembles an inverted “V” (for vertical!) A 16-mile loop from Park City Mountain Resort (7,000′) to the top of Jupiter Peak (10,000′) and back down.

Mid Mountain Marathon – August 20, 2022: Voted best trail marathon in Utah! The race course begins at Silver Lake/Deer Valley, where it follows the iconic Mid Mountain Trail for nearly 20-miles, to it’s terminus. There is one last uphill push before a long, winding descent down through the Utah Olympic Park trail system.

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Dogs will not be allowed in any of the races.

All races are capped at 400 people. Perry said that registration across all three races is currently about 30% full.

For these races specifically, Perry suggests those training to get on the trails and get out to altitude on occasion.

“It does require that you make the commitment to understanding what ascending and descending can do to the body,” he said. “The longer the race is, the more important nutritional and hydration needs are required.”

With some of the races having a lot of downhill running, Perry said it is important to focus on eccentric training during the winter months. This includes exercises like squats that are explosive on the pushup and deadlifting.