On Your Marks

“We work with people’s passions,” says Joel Rabinowitz, director of the sports department at the Vail Recreation District (VRD). 

In the Vail Valley, that passion is obvious: we like to move. 

For decades, the VRD has helped turn that enthusiasm into a packed calendar of year-round events and dozens of races spanning trail running, mountain biking, whitewater rafting, kids’ races and winter uphills. 

From the outside, a race looks simple. But behind the scenes? It’s a carefully choreographed effort months in the making. 

THE LONG RUN TO RACE DAY 

Race planning begins long before the first runner toes the start line. It starts months in advance, with maps, meetings and a lot of coordination. 

Even when courses stay consistent year to year, there’s a web of partners involved to make each race happen. The VRD works closely with land managers and organizations such as the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the Vail Valley Mountain Trails Alliance, Vail Resorts and local towns. 

It’s a lot of permits. 

Then comes the balancing act of preserving the course integrity while improving the athlete experience with better flow and less congestion. The team studies results, analyzes bottlenecks and, most importantly, gets out there themselves. They run the trail, ride the singletrack and ask for Strava feedback. 

“We look at what people love about the race and how we can separate the start times to create open space for people to pass before getting into their running pack on singletrack,” Wyatt Smith, VRD sports coordinator, explains. 

At the end of the day, the goal is simple: create a race that feels challenging yet approachable and unforgettable, especially when it’s set against the Vail Valley’s signature scenery. 

If you think racers wake up early, you should see the VRD crew. 

On race day, operations start before sunrise. “I’m always there first because I have the trailer,” Smith laughs in response to his 5 a.m. arrival. Inside the trailer is loaded with timing mats, fencing, tables, tents and the iconic finish-line arch. 

Some parts of the course, such as trail signage, can occasionally be staged in advance. If they are, staff members head out before dawn to double-check signs in the dark, making sure they haven’t been moved, knocked down or turned the wrong way. 

Everything else is set up the morning of the event. It’s meticulous work, but that’s also part of what makes the events run so smoothly. 

While racers warm up and pin on their bibs, VRD staff is already hours into their day.

COMMUNITY + CAMARADERIE 

Ask the team what takes the longest to build, and they’ll point to something many racers barely think about: sponsorships. 

Strong partnerships take years to cultivate. Sponsorship dollars help offset costs, keeping registration affordable while elevating the experience before, during and after every race. 

Solid sponsorships mean top-notch swag and exciting raffles. “With the right sponsors, it enhances the experience for racers and makes the afterparties more exciting because of all the giveaways,” Rabinowitz explains. 

Medical support for athletes is provided by partners such as The Steadman Clinic, which sends athletic trainers to support competitors before and after races. During the spring Whitewater Race Series, the rafting company Hyside supplies boats each year, removing a logistical hurdle for participants who would otherwise have to lug their boats through Vail Village. 

Partnerships don’t just fund the races. They help shape them. 

What makes a VRD race distinctly Vail? The answer isn’t just the scenery — it’s the range of people who show up. 

“We want everyone to come out and enjoy themselves,” says Rabinowitz. The race format reflects that. 

Race courses accommodate everyone from local Joes to pros. Every trail running race offers multiple distances. VRD’s summer mountain bike races feature a wide spread of categories from beginners to elite athletes pushing the pace. Families, weekend warriors and seasoned competitors all line up at the same events, chasing their own version of a finish-line victory. 

But what really sets the series apart is the atmosphere. 

These races double as social gatherings, places where people who share a love for the mountains reconnect week after week. And with the afterparties hosted at local spots, the energy often continues long after the final finisher crosses the line. The result is a culture that’s less about competition and more about connection — and, sometimes, the donuts. 

“It can be tough to live in the Vail Valley, but racing gives people a healthy way to socialize and an opportunity to come together,” says Nell Davis, director of marketing and communication for the VRD. “It’s not just about drinking at the afterparties, it’s about completing something together.” 

That spirit of camaraderie helps explain why these events endure. On July 5, 2026, the VRD will mark the 50th Vail HillClimb, celebrating a race that has become both a local tradition and a touchstone for generations of runners drawn to Vail’s trails. 

STORIES BEHIND THE SCENES 

Every successful race has a group of people who rarely get the spotlight: volunteers. 

While the VRD employs seasonal staff to help run events, many volunteers come from within the racing community itself. Sometimes, they’re athletes recovering from injuries who still want to be a part of the action. Other times, they’re locals who simply love the energy of race day. 

And they show up regardless of the weather. “We had one winter uphill race at Arrowhead last year where the feels-like temperature was negative 15,” Davis recalls. “But the volunteers still showed up smiling and friendly.” Coffee in hand, they greet racers, manage aid stations, direct course traffic and keep the event running smoothly. Their enthusiasm sets the tone for the entire race. 

There are over 30 races within multiple series each year. But those are only part of the story. 

On any given day, the organization is also running camps, leagues and programs for kids and adults across Vail — everything from tennis, golf, soccer or volleyball. Meanwhile, staff members manage facilities such as Dobson Ice Arena, the Vail Gymnastics Center and Imagination Station. 

It’s a staggering number of moving parts. So, how does the team keep the races running smoothly? It’s not about logistics, it’s about motivation. 

“People come up to me and thank me for putting the races on,” Smith says. “I don’t care about the monetary value, I’m just glad that I can put this on for others.” 

The stories they hear help reinforce that mission. 

“We get so many comments from people at the races on why they’re there, like a cancer survivor told me how running got them through treatment,” says Rabinowitz. “Or, when Marlin Smickley, an 86-year-old, brings you chocolate-covered treats and a book on healthy thoughts with nice quotes and tells you how important the series is to him.” 

Moments like that tend to stick. 

From permits to partnerships, organizing a race series is equal parts logistics and passion. The VRD may specialize in races, but what they’re really building is something bigger: a tradition that keeps the community moving together.