Pre-registration will open on March 1st via Prerace.com.
After the success of last year's event, we anticipate selling out quickly so please keep this in mind!
After the success of the inaugural event in 2011, we present the 2nd annual Steamboat Stinger! This time with a bigger field and another day of added fun and suffering! After originally drawing inspiration from races such as the Firecracker 50, Gunnison Growler and Laramie Enduro, the Steamboat Stinger aims to provide a challenging backcountry race experience showcasing some of Steamboat Springs' finest singletrack.
Never shy of a challenge, we figured, why stop with just a mountain bike race? So for 2012 we will also feature a full and half trail marathon as well. These two events can be separate, or if you wish to take the ultimate challenge, you can participate in both events - the 50 mile mountain bike race, and then the 26.2 trail marathon the next day - to be crowned King Sting or Queen Bee of the Steamboat Stinger.
These events are true to Steamboat Springs' tradition: epic fun with the added bit of western flair. Giddy up!
THE COURSE:
You can expect singletrack…lots of it. Beginning at the Howelson Hill Ski Area right in the heart of Steamboat, the course takes an extended detour deep into the beautiful backcountry of Routt County before returning to the transition/finish area. Racers will wind through open meadows, deeply-cupped, aspen-lined, narrow Colorado loam and wild sage gardens offering incredible views of the surrounding peaks and valleys. It's a 50-mile race composed of two 25-mile loops - 100% of which are on dirt featuring 90% singletrack. **Schedule still subject to change** Stay posted for updates** COURSE CHANGES: We may alter the race course slightly at any time up until race day but we promise it will still be a hard day in the saddle or on foot! A rain cancellation is possible as well as the City of Steamboat Springs has final say on race day conditions. Slick mud on Howelsen Hill is not good for riding or for trail health. CANCELLATION POLICY: Earthquake, rain, plague, locusts, hellfire, etc policy: sometimes there are just things beyond mortal control. If we see a swarm of locusts coming over the horizon, some sort of hostile invading military force or even if there's just too much rain to keep the course (and all of you wonderful people) safe, we're gonna have to go with "Plan B". Depending upon our options at the time we reserve the right to cancel, postpone, reschedule, throw our arms up in the air and run around like a gibbon monkey, etc. What happens to your entry fees? We'll do what's fair. Nobody is going to be stoked about a cancellation, least of all us, but we'll make the decision on-site with all of the information. Mountain Bike - Due to the constraints of our permit, we will have a cut off time of 12:30pm at the Start/Finish for riders leaving on their second lap. A cut off time of 12:30 will also be in effect for all runners as well. Duo racers should plan ahead and place their fastest rider first in rotation. All race day parking is free at the base of Howelsen Hill accessed via 5th Street. The start/finish and post race party/awards venue is within site and 1 minute walking distance of all parking spots. Also, a pedestrian bridge crosses the Yampa River from the parking lot area to allow for easy access to and from the shops and restaurants of downtown. Refunds will be honored up until Midnight on June 16th. After that date all requests will be granted a deferred entry into the 2013 race. CATEGORY EXPLANATION: Open is for faster folks and Citizen is for folks planning on a less hectic pace. Figure Cat 2 mountain bike racers and below should race Citizen. If you need to swap categories let us know. Remember, sandbagging is lame.
The course for the running races have yet to be finalized but will be very similar, with the 26.2 Marathon course being nearly identical to one lap of the mountain bike course.
The Half Marathon trail will not include Ridge Trail or Beall. Full course info coming soon.
All roads and trails will be open to the public on race day so please be mindful of other trail users. Trail litter
Friday, August 10th
12:00pm -7pm - Packet Pick Up for Mtb race and Run open at BAP!
Course open for pre-riding and inspection from 8am-8pm
Saturday, August 11th
NO PACKET PICK UP FOR MTB RACE
7:45 am – MANDATORY Racer Meeting at Base of Howelson Hill – Start/Finish Line
8:00 am – Pro/Open Men start
8:10 am – Pro/Open Women, All Duo Categories and Single Speed Start
8:20 am – Citizen Men, Citizen Woman, Clydesdale Start
2pm – Awards
2pm - 6pm – Packet Pick Up for Running Races
Sunday, August 12th
NO PACKET PICK UP FOR RUNNING RACE
6:45am – Mandatory Racer Meeting at Base of Howelsen Hill – Start/Finish Line
7:00am – First wave start - Marathon
7:05am – Second wave start – Half Marathon
CUT-OFF TIMES:
Trail Marathon - Due to the constraints of our permit, we will have a TBD cut off time at the Half Marathon cut off for Marathon runners.
PARKING:
Proceeds from the Steamboat Stinger will benefit:
Full run course info coming soon!
Mountain Bike Race:
Trail Running Race:
Race Categories
Mountain Bike Race:
Solo
Duo
Running Race Categories TBD and will be determined by the time registration is open.
Packet Pick Up will take place on Friday, August 10th at BAP!, 735 Oak Street, Steamboat Springs, CO.
The times for Packet Pick Up on Friday will from 12pm – 7pm. You can pick up packets for either the Mountain Bike Race or the Run Race.
There will be no packet pick up for the day of the Mountain bike race on Saturday.
Packet Pick Up for the run only will also take place at Olympian Hall at Howelson Hill on Saturday, August 11th from 2-6pm
Mountain Bike Race:
Solo categories: $75
Duo Categories: $140
Trail Running Race:
$TBD Full Marathon
$TBD Half Marathon
This year we have upped our field limit to 400 mountain bike racers and 400 trail running race participants.
Sanctioning for the Mountain Bike race will be provided by USA Cycling. Competitive Permit # TBD. All racers must have a valid USAC license or purchase a One Day License (additional $5).
The Trails at Howelsen Hill are open to the public, so please be courteous of all other users including the equestrian operation. Horses can be skittish around bikes, especially with inexperienced folks on board, so please be extremely courteous and cautious. <
All USAC rules apply.
We've got tons of delicious Honey Stinger up for grabs along with various other prizes and items. We will go 5 deep in each solo category and 3 deep for the Duo's.
There are many lodging options in Steamboat but start with Central Reservations.
The most highly discounted package offered by Central Res is the Summer Breakaway Package for a 3 night stay.
Also be sure to follow us on twitter @sbsstinger
Like us on Facebook