Posted by: Shauna Farnell
It’s true that time flies when you’re having fun. Already behind us (but a big 25th anniversary coming up next year), the 2026 GoPro Mountain Games saw many firsts and monumental moments. In the way of dogs, this Mountain Games was arguably the greatest of all time. From DockDogs world records to appearances by some of the internet’s biggest canine celebrities, there were plenty of tail-wagging good times. But perhaps the most heartwarming takeaway of the event was finding forever homes for 30 shelter dogs.
“This effort was achieved not only because of our staff’s dedication, but also the amazing partnerships that we have created with other rescue groups as well as amazing fosters within our community,” says Rhiannon Rowe, manager of Eagle County Animal Services, which organizes shelter dog adoptions at the Mountain Games. “We worked with two rescue groups, one in New Mexico and one in Utah. These groups are often overwhelmed by an increased number of homeless pets, so they reach out to other groups for assistance. We were happy to step in. The GoPro Mountain Games are always a great place to showcase adoptable dogs.”
Matt Nelson, the man behind the social media sensation WeRateDogs and founder of the 15/10 Foundation, which financially supports pets with veterinary needs, kicked off the adoption campaign. He hosted a dog adoption party on the CoLab Creator Stage, which included cameos by a handful of the cute, wagging dogs up for adoption. A few others got an extra special exercise session, by way of the BFGoodrich Rocky Dog Fun Run.
“We always enjoy running some of the shelter dogs in the Rocky Dog, but we also enjoyed the opportunity to meet with Matt from WeRateDogs. I think that opportunity really helped shed some light on animal welfare and the importance of adoption,” Rowe said. “Having great sponsors like Purina Pro Plan, Pacifico and Thule also helps adopters feel confident that they are starting out on the right foot with the supplies they need and the support from great companies.”
Purina ProPlan provided adopted dogs with a six-month food supply, Pacifico donated adoption kits with bowls, toys, leashes, and collars, and Thule provided high-quality harnesses.
Athletic canine feats
Dog adoptions weren’t the only record-breaking moments from the event. In Purina Pro Plan Dog Town, Mayhem the greyhound tied her own world record in the Pro Plan DockDogs Extreme Vertical competition with a jaw-dropping, 9-foot, 2-inch jump.
Back in Vail Village, the inaugural Short Dogs In Da House Mountain Race was literally a runaway hit, drawing one of the biggest crowds ever seen at the CoLab Creator Stage. Hundreds of spectators lined the course as wiener dogs and an assortment of other short-legged pups went head-to-head in the quick, start-to-finish race. Rowdy, a seasoned athlete and internet celebrity known for her skateboarding antics, won her heat by a landslide.
Rowdy wasn’t the only canine superstar in attendance. Javier, CEO of WeRateDogs, also put in a solid effort with his steady trotting pace, straight-lining to the finish (unlike a handful of other dogs, who got distracted and wandered off-course).
Athletic human highlights
In human news, the Nature Valley Mountain Mud Run saw one of its biggest turnouts ever, with several heats selling out and smiling participants of all ages getting mucked up like never before. Among elite runners, Olympic SkiMo athlete Cam Smith put his mark on this year’s Mountain Games, winning both the adidas TERREX 10K Spring Runoff and adidas TERREX Pepi’s Face-Off.
On a brand-new course for the adidas TERREX 20K Trail Run, which climbed up to Mid-Vail for the first time ever, no one could catch team Hemming. Super couple Eli and Tabor Hemming of Kremmling topped the men’s and women’s fields, respectively.
Of two-wheel standouts, Deanna Mayles of Colorado Springs beat an Olympic-level women’s field in the Lucid XC Mountain Bike race and also cleaned up in the Lucid XC Short Track while Ivan Sippy of Durango did the same in both races to edge the pro men’s field.
Although water events were relocated this year due to low flow levels in Gore Creek, Mountain Games mainstay Nick Troutman won the Pacifico Kayak Freestyle in Glenwood Springs. He also won the men’s long boat category in the GoPro Down River Sprint on the Upper Colorado River, which his wife, Emily Jackson, also championed in the long boat while their son, Tucker Troutman, 12, triumphed for Juniors in short boats.
A perennial centerpiece of the Games, the bouldering wall saw some of its trickiest problems in history conquered, particularly by Joshua Gerhardt and Helen Gillett, who won the North American Cup Series Vail Presented by CELSIUS. In its second year at the Mountain Games, the YETI North American Cup Series Vail – Speed once again drew massive crowds to the Bulleit Hangout at Golden Peak. Looking every bit like lightning-fast human spiders, Piper Kelly beat Claire Pee in the women’s final while Alexander Kovats edged William Eaton by less than a fifth of a second in the men’s final.
If you are still reeling from the multi-sensory stimulation and great vibes of this year’s Games, next year’s festival promises to be even better. Mark your calendars now for the GoPro Mountain Games’ 25th anniversary: June 10-13, 2027.
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