Monarch Mountain

A Race That Sounds Familiar to Boulder Athletes

Boulder, Colorado has long been a proving ground for endurance athletes. Trail runners, ultrarunners, cyclists, and skiers all share the same steep terrain, thin air, and love for pushing limits. That’s why a grassroots end-of-season ski race at Monarch Mountain feels surprisingly relevant to Boulder’s running community.

It raises a simple and intriguing question:

What if Boulder runners showed up?

What Is the Gunbarrel Race?

Participants start at the base area, race straight up the Gunbarrel run to the top, then ski or snowboard back down. There’s no easing into it. No long-distance pacing. Just an all-out climb where breathing becomes the limiting factor almost immediately.

Last year’s race drew 68 participants, double the previous year’s turnout, followed by a parking lot cookout and live music celebrating a strong season with plenty of good powder days.

Local skier Alex DeMuri of Westcliffe won the race in 7 minutes and 8 seconds, describing it as a “good lung burner” and admitting he didn’t expect to do well.

That description alone sounds very Boulder.

Why This Feels Like a Boulder Workout

The Gunbarrel climb isn’t about endurance over hours. It’s about intensity.

For Boulder runners, it mirrors familiar efforts:

• Shorter than a full Green Mountain ascent, but steeper
• Less forgiving than Flagstaff’s switchbacks
• Comparable to the final push up Bear Peak, with no recovery

Seven minutes of redline climbing at elevation is not a jog. It’s a test of lungs, legs, and mindset — exactly what Boulder athletes train for year-round.

Boulder’s Secret Weapon: Cross-Training

What gives Boulder athletes a quiet edge isn’t just running fitness — it’s versatility.

Trail runners skin uphill in winter. Road runners ski for aerobic work. Cyclists hike steep trails for strength. Many Boulder athletes already train in ways that translate naturally to a race like the Gunbarrel, even if they’ve never considered lining up for a ski event.

This isn’t about Boulder “taking over” another mountain’s tradition. It’s about recognizing how well this challenge fits Boulder’s outdoor DNA.

More Than a Race: The Community Factor

What truly makes the Gunbarrel Race feel Boulder-friendly is its spirit.

This isn’t a polished, high-pressure competition. It’s a celebration. After the climb and descent, participants gather for food, music, and shared stories in the parking lot. No pretension. No pressure. Just effort followed by connection.

That balance — work hard, suffer a little, celebrate together — is pure Boulder.

So… Could Boulder Runners Win?

Maybe.

But the better question is whether they’d love it.

For Boulder athletes who thrive on steep climbs, thin air, and unique challenges, the Gunbarrel Race isn’t about podiums. It’s about testing yourself, sharing the experience, and ending the season with a smile.

If a small Boulder crew made the drive next spring — a few trail runners, a couple ski-curious athletes, and one friend along for the fun — the real win wouldn’t be the finish time.

It would be discovering a race that feels like it was made for them.

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