Flaming Foliage Relay - Idaho Springs to Buena Vista

If you've ever experienced fall in the Rocky Mountains you know what a magical time it is. With cool temperatures, sunny days, and stunning scenery, many people believe autumn is the best time to get out and enjoy the high country. And while a drive up through the mountains in the fall can be a nice way to spend a day, we think you should take it one step further. We think you should get out and experience it on foot!

The Flaming Foliage Relay takes the best parts of the old Outward Bound Relay route and throws in some new and scenic challenges. This relay begins in the quaint town of Idaho Springs and traverses 165 miles and three rugged mountain passes before finishing in charming Buena Vista on the banks of the Arkansas River. Along the way you'll run on roads and trails through some of the most amazing scenery Colorado has to offer. Join run.Colorado relays for the Flaming Foliage Relay Friday September 11th through Saturday September 12th, 2026.

This life changing relay road race is a team-oriented adventure with experiences and views you'll never forget. Each team consists of either twelve runners and two vehicles (the vast majority of the teams) or six runners and one vehicle (Ultra teams), or any other amount of runners including a solo unsanctioned race.

How to Register

Team Captains should be the first to sign up:

• Submit team payment
• Set up a team name and password and share with team members. Note: You can sign up a full team before you have secured commitments from all team members
• Select team volunteer option 
• Once the Team Captain registers, they will share the team name and password with their teammates, so all teammates can register/join their team with no additional registration cost. 

Choose your Volunteer Option

Fun Fact: This overnight relay race is made possible by over 130 volunteers on the course. Most volunteers are either friends/family of the race directors, team members running the event OR a local nonprofit raising awareness and funds for their cause or organization. Each team is given two options to help us make this event possible while giving back: 

Option 1: Supply Volunteers: 10 person teams will supply two (2) volunteers; Ultra teams and High School teams will supply one (1) volunteer to staff the runner exchanges. 

Option 2: Teams can choose to make a tax-deductible donation to Windsor Gives, 501(c)3 non-profit to support with providing volunteers for the relay. 

10 Person Team Volunteer Fee: $300

Ultra Team Volunteer Fee: $200

High School Team Volunteer Fee: $100

**The Team Captain is the only one who chooses the teams volunteer option during the registration process and who pays the registration fees. Additional team members should have no fees at the end of their registration/joining the appropriate team.