The Valkyrie Multisport Relay – Durango, Colorado
Spanning 80 unforgettable miles through Durango’s wild beauty, the Valkyrie Multisport Relay is more than a race—it’s an outdoor adventure built for athletes who live for the journey.
Designed for all skill levels, the event weaves together seven disciplines—trail running, mountain biking, road cycling, paddleboarding, open water swimming, kayaking, and a final road run—into one epic, nature-fueled experience.
Adventure, Shared
The relay format lets teams of up to nine divide the course, assigning each leg based on individual strengths. It’s about strategy, camaraderie, and trusting your teammates as you move through diverse terrain—from alpine trails and winding rivers to scenic roads and sapphire lakes. Every leg offers a fresh challenge—and a deeper connection to the outdoors.
Go the Solo Route: Valkyrie Ultra Heptathlon
For those who crave solitude and personal grit, the solo version of the race covers all seven disciplines back-to-back. It’s 80 miles of mental clarity, physical resilience, and a chance to prove what you’re really made of, surrounded by some of Colorado’s most inspiring landscapes.
More Than a Finish Line
Whether you race with friends or go it alone, the Valkyrie isn’t just about distance—it’s about discovery. With every mile, you’re immersed in the rugged magic of the San Juans and the flow of the Animas River. At the end is a group celebration and the memory of a day where you pushed boundaries, embraced the wild, and lived fully.
Are you ready to take on the challenge?
Early Registration - Ends 03/31/2025
Regular Registration - Ends 08/31/2025
Late Registration - Ends 09/11/2025
The sport leg description below are for the full-length course. Please see the Sprint Course page (menu) for Sprint leg lengths and stats.
The Valkyrie Full-Course Relay spans nearly 80 miles through Durango’s stunning urban and natural landscapes. Teams of specialists tackle seven disciplines: trail running, mountain biking, stand-up paddleboarding, open water swimming, road cycling, canoe/kayak paddling, and road running. Ultra athletes can complete the course solo as “Ultra Heptathletes” or join forces as Duos or Trios.
The action begins at 6:00 am with the Trail Run (TRL). Racers leave Santa Rita Whitewater Park, cross Hwy 3, and enter Horse Gulch. The 9.7-mile course winds through Rocky Road, Extended Ridge, Sugar, Cuchillo's, and Meadow Loop, returning via Horse Gulch Trail—cresting the ridge just as the sun rises over the Animas River Valley.
The Mountain Bike (MTB) stage also starts in Horse Gulch, climbing Mesa Connector to the fun, flowy Telegraph Connector. Riders join the historic Telegraph Trail, then climb Telegraph Hill—no easy feat. After reaching the top, racers hit Sidewinder, which loops to Carbon Jct Trail. The descent is loose and rocky, so stay sharp. Finish via the Railroad Trail along the river back to Santa Rita.
The Road Cycle (RCY) is both tough and scenic. From Santa Rita, riders climb CR 210 to tag off their SUP partner at the lake—then head straight into a ride through Wildcat Canyon, downtown streets, and up the Fort Lewis College switchbacks. Continue along Rim Drive, descend Goeglein Gulch, then onto CR 250 northbound. Finish at Oxbow Park after crossing Hwy 550 twice—stay alert. Tag your paddler and cool off at the beach, then ride the river trail back to Santa Rita to join the celebration.
Next is Stand-Up Paddleboarding (SUP) on Lake Nighthorse’s calm northern end. The 3.1-mile course loops around buoys and follows the shoreline back, with inlets to navigate and a secret phrase to verify completion. Expect flatwater, tree-dodging, and epic views.
The Swim (SWM) follows at Lake Nighthorse: a 1.2-mile out-and-back course hugging the left side of buoys both ways, with support from paddleboarding teammates.
The River Paddle (PAD) is a highlight. Calm yet technical, the Animas River requires careful channeling around boulders. Enter Smelter Rapids from the far left in low water, and look for the takeout just after. Tag your road runner and celebrate—you're almost there.
The final Road Run (RDR) is two laps of the south loop due to trail upgrades. Get the chip from your paddler and head south on the river trail. Near the movie theater, veer right at the aid station, then continue along La Posta Road (CR 113). At Dallabetta Park, cross the bridge and turn left to head back on the trail. Pass the aid station again en route to Santa Rita and the finish line—or hand off for lap two if splitting the run.
The Valkyrie Sprint Relay packs the full multisport adventure into a 53-mile format—perfect for youth, families, and recreational teams. Participants take on seven exciting stages: trail running, mountain biking, road cycling, stand-up paddleboarding, open water swimming, kayaking, and road running. Ultra athletes can complete the full course solo or split it as Duos or Trios.
The race begins at 6:00 am with the Trail Run (TRL). From Santa Rita Whitewater Park, runners cross Hwy 3 into Horse Gulch for a 7.4-mile loop via Rocky Road, Extended Ridge, Ben’s Down and Out, and Cuchillo’s. Return through Meadow Loop and Horse Gulch Trail. Early starters use headlamps, catching sunrise on the ridge.
Mountain Bike (MTB): Back in Horse Gulch, riders climb Mesa Connector and continue on the smooth, scenic Durango Mesa Park Connector Trail. Then it's onto Carbon Junction—rocky and loose in places—before returning on the riverside Railroad Trail to Santa Rita.
Road Cycle (RCY): From Santa Rita, cyclists climb CR 210 to hand off at Lake Nighthorse, then continue through Wildcat Canyon, downtown Durango, and the Fort Lewis College switchbacks. Ride Rim Drive, descend Goeglein Gulch, and follow Florida Rd to CR 250. Head west on 32nd St, cross the river, and finish at Oxbow Park. Cool off at the beach before cruising the river trail back to the finish festivities.
Stand-Up Paddle (SUP): Paddle 2 miles on the peaceful north end of Lake Nighthorse. Follow the wakeless buoy line out, hug the shoreline back, and soak up the views on calm, scenic water.
Swim (SWM): A 1 km open-water swim follows, along a clear out-and-back route. Paddleboard teammates provide on-water support as swimmers navigate the still, deep water.
River Paddle (PAD): The 5-mile Animas River paddle is a scenic but technical segment. Focus is key as paddlers dodge boulders and stay in the channel. Enter Smelter Rapids from the far left at low water, and watch for the takeout. Tag your runner and join the celebration. Sprint and full-course teams share this river leg.
The Sprint Course Road Run (RDR) is one lap of the south loop due to trail upgrades. Get the chip from your paddler and head south on the river trail. Near the movie theater, veer right at the aid station, then continue along La Posta Road (CR 113). At Dallabetta Park, hand off to a second runner, or if going alone, cross the bridge and turn left to head back on the trail. Pass the aid station again en route to Santa Rita and the finish line.
