About This Race
The Up & Over Trail Run Weekend stands as New Mexico's premier high-altitude trail running challenge, set against the dramatic backdrop of Taos Ski Valley. Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2026, this multi-day event has evolved from a single 10K mountain race into a comprehensive weekend that tests runners across multiple distances and formats. The signature Up & Over 10K remains notoriously challenging, drawing repeat participants who return year after year to chase personal records on one of the state's most demanding courses. The weekend format allows runners to tackle individual events or embrace the full Double Trouble challenge, combining Saturday's 10K with Sunday's VerticAL's VertK for the ultimate test of mountain running prowess. What sets this race apart is its authentic mountain character and the tight-knit community it has fostered over two decades. The event attracts diverse groups - friends, coworkers, and entire families who come together to take on the mountain. The high-altitude setting, starting above 9,300 feet and climbing to nearly 12,000 feet, provides both stunning alpine vistas and a legitimate physiological challenge. The technical terrain and significant elevation changes make this a true mountain runner's race, while the festival atmosphere and family-friendly additions like the Up & Dn kids' run create an inclusive weekend celebration of trail running.
The signature Up & Over 10K presents a formidable 2,612-foot climb from the 9,321-foot base to a high point of 11,819 feet, offering spectacular views of Kachina and Wheeler Peaks along the way. The ascent tests runners with sustained climbing through high alpine terrain, while the descent demands technical skill and control through challenging mountain trails. The VerticAL's VertK takes a different approach, following the line of Al's Run - a steep black diamond ski slope - for a brutal 1,497-foot vertical gain over approximately one kilometer of distance, essentially turning a ski run into a scramble course.
Practical Info
Early August conditions typically feature warm days with afternoon thunderstorm potential and cool mornings at altitude.
SAF - Santa Fe Regional Airport
Taos Ski Valley offers limited lodging; most runners stay in Taos proper, about 30 minutes from the venue.
Best For
Notable Features
The Up & Over Weekend represents a rare opportunity to race in true alpine conditions within the continental United States, with courses that utilize actual ski resort terrain to create unique challenges. The 20th anniversary 20K double-loop option adds a commemorative element with 4,700 feet of total elevation gain, while the VerticAL's VertK offers one of the most concentrated vertical challenges in American trail running. The family atmosphere, complete with kids' events and group challenges, creates a festival environment unusual for such a demanding mountain race.