adidas Terrex Pepi’s Face-Off
Photo: Jon Resnick

adidas Terrex Pepi’s Face-Off

DO WE LIKE IT NO, DO WE DO IT, YEAH

A true test of mental and physical strength, the adidas Terrex Pepi’s Face-Off is a “beautiful pain” as racers navigate up AND down the black-diamond trail Pepi’s Face as many times as they can in 30 minutes. Named after Vail legend Pepi Gramshammer, Pepi’s Face features about 250 vertical feet with a near-45-degree pitch — one of the steepest runs on Vail Mountain. What was once an intimidating race is now one of the most popular at the GoPro Mountain Games — both for athletes and spectators.

SUNDAY, JUNE 9
1:00 PM – Elite – Wave 1
2:00 PM – Amateur – Wave 2
2:00 PM – Relay – Teams of Two – Wave 2

IMPORTANT: Registration for this event closes Saturday, June 8 at 6:00 PM.


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Event Overview

SUNDAY, JUNE 9

1:00 PM – Elite – Wave 1
2:00 PM – Amateur – Wave 2
2:00 PM – Relay – Teams of Two – Wave 2

A 30-minute uphill/downhill dash. Run 860-foot laps on the legendary tourist trap, Pepi’s Face on Vail Mountain. When the timer hits 30, the horn blows, and it’s a mad sprint to the finish! The speedsters with the most completed laps wins.

NEW for 2024 – Revised Categories!
ELITE, AMATEUR & RELAY – TEAMS OF TWO WAVES! An athlete will be considered Elite if he/she completed at least 5 laps at a previous Pepi’s Face-Off race. Athletes that have not competed in Pepi’s Face-Off but feel strong enough to compete in the Elite field can send a request to registration@vvf.org to be evaluated.

ALSO NEW for 2024!
We are working to eliminate waste at the GoPro Mountain Games so all on-mountain Aid Stations will be going cupless for 2024. As part of our continued focus on sustainability, participants will receive a free collapsible cup at registration that can be used at all Mountain Games run events. All athletes should be aware of this change and come prepared for all races.

Times

Times

SUNDAY, JUNE 9

1:00 PM – Elite – Wave 1
2:00 PM – Amateur – Wave 2
2:00 PM – Relay – Teams of Two – Wave 2

Rules

Categories:

Elite Open – Men
Elite Open – Women
Amateur Open – Men
Amateur Open – Women
Relay Open – Teams of Two

FORMAT & RULES (Elite Wave 1):
  • An athlete will be considered Elite if he/she completed at least 5 laps at a previous Pepi’s Face-Off race. Athletes that have not competed in Pepi’s Face-Off but feel strong enough to compete in the Elite field can send a request to registration@vvf.org to be evaluated.
  • Racers will be sent out in a mass start. Start positions will not be pre-determined and it is up to the athlete to get into their desired start location.
  • Objective is to run as many laps as possible in thirty (30) minutes. Clock will start when runners cross the starting line. First lap will start when runners cross the lap line (to be clearly marked day of race). Athletes’ laps will be counted by timers each time athlete crosses lap line. At thirty (30) minutes, horn will sound, and runners must finish current lap (no back-tracking) and sprint back to the start/finish line.
  • Results will place competitors by number of laps completed and then time back to the finish line.
  • Athletes are permitted to wear protective gloves and/or padding and use trekking poles if they so wish. All other accessory equipment must be approved by race directors no less than twenty-four (24) hours before start time.
  • No tripping, shoving or horseplay will be tolerated and any athlete participating in foul play will be pulled from the course and disqualified.
  • Dogs are not permitted to run in the adidas Terrex Pepi’s Face-Off. Please enter our BFGoodrich Rocky Dog Fun Run on Thursday, June 6 if you’d like to run with your pup!
FORMAT & RULES
(amateur & relay – teams of two Wave 2):
  • Racers will be sent out in a mass start [subject to change based on total athletes]. Start positions will not be pre-determined and it is up to the athlete to get into desired start location.
  • Objective is to run as many laps as possible in thirty (30) minutes. Clock will start when runners cross the starting line. First lap will start when runners cross the lap line (to be clearly marked day of race). Athletes’ laps will be counted by timers each time athlete crosses lap line. At thirty (30) minutes, horn will sound, and runners must finish current lap (no back-tracking) and sprint back to the start/finish line.
  • Results will place competitors by number of laps completed and then time back.
  • There will be a Relay zone in between the downhill and start of the climbing.
  • An athlete can not start unless their partner arrives to the Relay zone. The Team will be disqualified if this rule is not respected.
  • Relay Teams should be aware of the split in course at the top of Pepi’s that will have Amateurs on the left side and Relay teams on the right side. A course marshal will be onsite to assist. 
  • Athletes are permitted to wear protective gloves and/or padding and use trekking poles if they so wish. All other accessory equipment must be approved by race directors no less than twenty-four (24) hours before start time.
  • No tripping, shoving or horseplay will be tolerated and any athlete participating in foul play will be pulled from the course and disqualified.
  • Dogs are not permitted to run in the adidas Terrex Pepi’s Face-Off . Please enter our BFGoodrich Rocky Dog Fun Run on Thursday, June 6 if you’d like to run with your pup!

Results

Price & Prizes

PRICE

EARLY BIRD // February 1 – April 4, 2024
$50 – Elite
$40 – Amateur
$80 – Relay – Team of Two

STANDARD // April 5 – May 28, 2024
$55 – Elite
$45 – Amateur
$90 – Relay – Team of Two

EVENT WEEK // May 29 – June 8, 2024
$70 – Elite
$60 – Amateur
$120 – Relay – Team of Two


PAYOUT

TOTAL PURSE: $10,200

Elite – MEN
1st Place – $2,000
2nd Place – $1,000
3rd Place – $500

Elite – WOMEN
1st Place – $2,000
2nd Place – $1,000
3rd Place – $500

Amateur – MEN
1st Place – $500
2nd Place – $250
3rd Place – $100

Amateur – WOMEN
1st Place – $500
2nd Place – $250
3rd Place – $100

RELAY TEAM OF TWO
1st Place – $750 ($375 per person)
2nd Place -$500 ($250 per person)
3rd Place – $250 ($125 per person)


PRIZES

Prizes to be determined.

Price & Prizes