by Reggie Foster
This past weekend proved to be perfect for the Sangre De Cristo Trail Festival. Cool mornings, golden leaves, and crisp mountain air set the stage for one of Westcliffe’s unique annual events.
Now in its eighth year, the festival is part of the Human Potential Running Series, which brings runners from the west to test their grit in the rugged Sangres. Race Director, John Lacroix, said, “We have a deep appreciation for the way of life down here (Westcliffe). It’s a slower pace and it feels like going back in time. We recognize that the community is committed to nature and that is what we connect to. There is a romanticness to it and we love coming here.”

The trail run begins and ends on Elin Ganschow’s place near the USFS Grape Creek Trailhead off CR 119. Runners, 141 of them, came from Arizona, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Wyoming, Idaho and towns across Colorado to include two local participants. The distances included the 100-Mile, 100K, 50-Mile, and 50-K which began at 4 a.m. on Saturday morning. The 27K and 8K runners stepped off at 8 a.m. Sunday morning. The majority of participants chose the 50K.

While competition was real, the spirit of the festival was unmistakably welcoming. Runners encouraged one another, swapped snacks, and even shared gear. “I like your Melly” echoed through the campsite. The youngest competitor was just 13 years old, while the oldest was 66, proving that trail running is as much about heart as it is about legs.
All who were there seemed excited to be some part of the adventure through the beautiful Sangres. The event’s promotional announcements summed it up best: “Embrace the feeling of the wilderness within, while you run along the literal wilderness boundary the entire way. No race in our country is in a more wild setting. This unique race is about community, traveling together, discovering the hidden treasures in the mountains and those within yourself. This race encapsulates the spirit of adventure and community in an extraordinary outdoor setting.”
The first individual to complete the 100 mile trail run was Izzy Davis from Kellogg, Idaho. She fist bumped the race director and volunteers as she crossed the finish line at 29 hours and 24 minutes. 

The course record set in 2020 still holds at 22 hours 28 minutes.

Locals Lindsey Averill and Chloe Carlin volunteered to help with the event because they thought it would be fun. They passed out
finisher medals alongside John Cohen of Pueblo. Cohen is a past participant who returned this year to give back.
Tim Ashford of Colorado Springs decided that 100 miles wasn’t enough. He ran 200 miles, starting Wednesday, camping at Alvarado along the way, and finishing his second century run with a smile and a leap across the finish line 98 hours after his first step.

For many families, the festival is more than a race, it is a chance to enjoy time outdoors together, connect with the community, and appreciate the unmatched beauty of the Sangres. Thirteen-year-old Flora Caputo-Willowski came from Laramie, Wyoming, with her family to compete in the 8K. Trail running seems to be the perfect blend of Flora’s love of the outdoors and running. Flora’s mom, Michele, said what they love about the Human Potential Race Series is that you can be as competitive as you want or not and that it also allows Flora to compete at her young age. Adding, “We love the culture of trail running because everyone is nice.” Flora finished first in the 8K race. She loped across the finish line at 1 hour and 39 minutes. Volunteer Cohen exclaimed, “very awesome time, especially for a young runner. We normally expect runners to finish this distance in about 2 hours” Flora, who left her dad Ben in the dust, has a bright future in trail running.
The Sangre De Cristo Trail Festival will return the last weekend of
September 2026. Whether as a runner, volunteer, or cheering spectator, mark your calendars now. And if you want to fit in with the trail crowd, make your reservation at Melanzana in Leadville to buy your own micro-grid hoodie and you’ll be sure to hear, “I like your Melly!”
This annual festival is more than a test of endurance. It’s a celebration of nature, community, and the mountain lifestyle we hold dear here in the Wet Mountain Valley.