Race in the Clouds
DIRT FEST
July 11-12, 2025
Get ready for the Race in the Clouds Dirt Fest!
This summer, athletes will head up to the town of Alma, Colorado at 10,578 feet to participate in the Race in the Clouds Dirt Fest – a series of multisport races showcasing the breathtaking beauty and historical heritage of North America's Highest Incorporated Town. Learn more about visiting Alma in this article in Islands, an online travel magazine.
The Dirt Fest takes place the weekend before Festival in the Clouds, an annual celebration of live music, artwork, good food, and community. The Festival is free to attend and takes place on the grounds of the Alma Town Park. All proceeds from both the Race and the Festival benefit the Alma Foundation.
JULY 11, 2025 ~ 1PM at the ALMA TOWN PARK
Kick off the weekend with the Pedal & Dash Bash!
Join us for a FREE family friendly run and bike race designed for young athletes ages 12 and under! Kids will race a 3/4 mile loop, which they can lap multiple times. Every participant will receive a race bib, a goodie bag, a complimentary USAT Kids Membership, post-race snacks, and the unforgettable feeling of crossing the Race in the Clouds Finish Line!
Cheer on the next generation of athletes as they kick off this exciting weekend of fun and fitness! Read more below about details for the day.
Race Bib & Goodie Bag Pick-Up ~ On Friday, you can pick up your race bibs and goodie bags starting at 12:30 PM at the Alma Town Hall, located at 59 Buckskin Road. Our friends from Rocky Mountain Rural Health will be at Town Park before the race offering face painting! Come a little early and let Ms. Julie and her awesome crew get you race-ready with some face art.
The Course ~ Athletes can race 1, 2 or 3 laps. Each lap is 3/4 of a mile. Once they are ready to finish, they will receive a Finisher Medal. Post-race drinks and snacks will be provided by the South Park Saloon and Prather's Market.
Race Start Times ~ We have both riders and runners participating. We'll kick things off with the bike race at 1:30 PM. As soon as all riders have completed the course (they can do multiple laps, up to three) we will start the runners. Kids who would like to bike and run are more than welcome to do that. This event is all about FUN!
Important Reminder for Parents ~ All kids participating in the bike race must wear a helmet. If your child doesn't have one, we will have a limited number of helmets available to borrow.
If you have any questions please Contact the Alma Foundation to get in touch with Liz, our Race Coordinator.
JULY 12, 2025 ~ ALL DAY at the BUCKSKIN CEMETERY MEADOW
Drive up Buckskin Street (County Rd 8) for about a mile to join us at altitude for a day of adrenaline and adventure! The day will feature 8 epic trail races, including mountain bike races, trail runs, and an off-road duathlon. You can relax at the Buckskin Cemetery Meadow, where you'll food, music, vendors, and festival vibes.
Whether you're a seasoned trail athlete or a beginner looking for a challenge, there's a race for you. Set against breathtaking mountain scenery, the Dirt Fest celebrates endurance, community, and dirt-fueled fun!
We are also offering Special Divisions for High School and Middle School athletes. Student athletes can compete in age-appropriate races with podium recognition and awards. This is the perfect summer challenge for youth athletes!
Come Race in the Clouds and conquer these epic trails! If you have any questions please Contact the Alma Foundation to get in touch with Liz, our Race Coordinator. Read more below for details about the Dirt Fest.
Athlete Briefing
Thanks to those who joined us live! You can watch the
recording here.
Packet Pickup
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Friday, July 11th from 12-4 PM at the Alma Town Hall, located at 59 Buckskin Road
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Saturday, July 12th from 6-7:30 AM at the Buckskin Cemetery Meadow
Course Pre-Ride
The course will be fully marked Thursday, July 10th by 12 PM. For anyone who would like a casual tour of the race course we will meet you in the Meadow on Sunday, July 6th at 9 AM.
Camping Reminders
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Camping passes will be emailed separately
If you forget your camping pass, we'll have extras available at packet pickup
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Park County is under a Stage 1 Fire Ban, which means no campfires or open flames
Only propane stoves and propane fire pits are permitted
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We'll have a propane fire pit set up in the expo area, so you can enjoy a community campfire
Seating
We'll have limited seating available after the race, so please bring a camp chair if you want a guaranteed spot to relax.
Team Tents
If you have a Team Tent, please bring it! We have special areas reserved for team tents at the start/finish line and in the athlete area.
Weather
Mornings have been chilly, with temps around 40°F. Bring a jacket — or better yet, grab a cozy event hoodie from our merch store (limited sizes available). Also be prepared for afternoon thunderstorms. You never know what the weather will do in the mountains at 10,600 feet.
Race Day Parking
If you are not camping, event day parking will be available on Buckskin Road adjacent to the Meadow. Please park on the north side of the road.
Awards
Awards for the 10K will start around 10 AM. All other races and distances will begin at 12 PM. We will also have a raffle immediately following the Awards Ceremony.
Post-Race Lunch
Lunch will begin at 10:30 AM and will continue until the last finisher gets their well-deserved plate.
Aid Station Goodies
All Aid Stations will have water, Gatorade, Gu Gel, Gu Chews, pretzels, and chips. We have 4 Aid Stations for the 13 Mile lap course, located at Miles 2.5, 5, 6, and 9. Racers completing 26 Mile or 40ish Mile will pass these stations multiple times.
Race Morning Schedule
- We will have coffee donated by Black Kettle Coffee Company for anyone who needs a little kick-start!
- Mandatory Pre-Race Briefing: 7:15 AM at the Start Line
- National Anthem: Jordan Lane 7:25 AM
Race Start Times
- 40 Mile Mountain Bike: 7:30 AM
- 26 Mile Mountain Bike: 7:35 AM
- 13 Mile Mountain Bike/7 Mile Mountain Bike (Adults and Juniors): 7:40 AM
- Trail Half Marathon/10K: 7:45 AM
- Off Road Duathlon: 7:50 AM
Need a Quick Bike Tune-Up?
Our friends at Native Custom Cycles will be on-site Friday afternoon and on Race Day to help with any last-minute bike issues you may have. Whether it's a quick adjustment or a minor fix, they've got you covered so you can hit the course with confidence!
A Special Thank You to Our Partners
We couldn't host this race without your incredible support! Your commitment to our community and this event helps make Race Day possible — we are truly grateful.
Thank you for being part of the adventure!
- Turtleback Trailers (our Title Sponsor)
- The Town of Alma
- The US Forest Service
- Native Custom Cycles
- Highside Brewing
- Prather's Market
- South Park Saloon, Alma Gym, Black Kettle Coffee, Bristlecone Bakery, Breckenridge Housekeeping and the Al-Mart
- Highridge Woodworking
- Epic Adventures
- USA Triathlon
ABOUT THE COURSE
The course is a dynamic mix of terrain designed to challenge and inspire. Athletes will navigate a combination of dirt county roads, chunky and steep Forest Service jeep tracks technical descents, extended climbs, and some truly sweet stretches of singletrack.
The layout is a multi-loop figure-eight design, bringing participants through the expo area at the Buckskin Cemetery Meadow multiple times. This not only keeps the energy high but also gives athletes that extra surge of motivation from cheering spectators as they push to conquer the course.
ABOUT THE DIRT FEST
The Dirt Fest is the ultimate grassroots off-road experience, packed with adventure, community, and challenge. We're offering a Trail Half Marathon, a Trail 10K, and an Off-Road Duathlon (4-mile run/13-mile bike). Combined with the Pedal & Dash Bash on Friday, the weekend truly offers something for everyone. Top it all off with on-site camping, and you'll enjoy an unparalleled, community-driven weekend of dirt, grit, and stoke.
RACE CATEGORIES
MOUNTAIN BIKE RACES
- 40 Mile (39.3 miles) ~ 5,703 feet of climbing
- 26 Mile ~ 3,818 feet of climbing
- 13 Mile ~ 1,909 feet of climbing
- Trail 1/2 Marathon (13.2 miles) ~ 1,909 feet of climbing
- Trail 10K (6.9 miles) ~ 948 feet of climbing
USA TRIATHLON SANCTIONING
This event is being sanctioned by USA Triathlon. Every race entry includes a one-day membership (or annual membership for athletes 17 years old and under), which includes $25,000 of participant accident insurance. We hate to think that any athlete might get injured, but these sports are not without risks. USAT Annual Members will receive a registration rebate at packet pickup.
