Video: A New Mountain Race in Utah’s Ski Country
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Preview the course of the first Discrete Peak Series event, which emphasizes steepness over distance
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A new race series, Discrete Peak, kicks off in two weeks, with an emphasis on short, extremely steep mountain runs. The course of the first race, to be held in Alta, Utah, on August 9, is just 5.9 miles—but climbs 2,500 feet, topping out at just above 11,000 feet on the summit of Mount Baldy.
The four-race series will follow the Alta race with events in Snowbird, Utah; Bergen Peak, Colorado; and Deer Valley, Utah, all in September. Race founder Julian Carr said in an interview on the Alta Ski Area’s blog that every race will be between five and 10 miles, with 2,500 to 4,000 feet of elevation gain.
“More vertical, to me, is equivalent to maximum resulting fitness and views!” Carr told the Alta blog. “Plus, I’m very ‘peak’ driven with my adventures, so I always feel dissatisfied if I don’t reach the highest point around me.”
The races come with a substantial prize purse—$15,000 for the four events. And, as Carr put it, the afternoon starts are timed so that racers finish in “prime ‘hang out,’ ” time and can enjoy the post-race festivities, including live music, food and beer—reward enough if you don’t make the podium.
For a sneak peak of the lung-searing ascents and epic views the race series will offer up, check out this video preview (above) of the Alta course.
