Ouray 50 Mile Endurance Run

The mountains and canyons surrounding Ouray are filled with some of the West’s most unforgettable scenery. Heritage activities abound along the back roads and Scenic Byways: you can see vistas where old Hollywood westerns were filmed and explore high country ghost towns that were once booming mining cities. Ouray’s roads, carved from historic wagon trails, traverse a variety of terrain from extreme high mountain passes and rugged winding roads to wide, flower-filled meadows and pastoral valleys.

The City of Ouray was named after Chief Ouray of the Ute Indian Tribe. The chief was known for his leadership abilities, attempting to secure a treaty with the U.S. Government that would allow the Uncompahgre Band of Utes to stay in Colorado after an Ute uprising elsewhere in the state. Ultimately, the Utes were forced out of Colorado to present-day reservations in Utah. The majestic San Juan Mountains that were once valuable hunting grounds to the Ute Indians became home to a new group, the rugged and hardy miners of the North American Gold Rush. This city is the host of the annual Ouray 50 Mile Endurance Run.

The Ouray 50 starts at Fellin Park and joins the 100 milers for the last 50 of their race. With over 20k feet of elevation gain, this is one of the most difficult 50 milers in the world.