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

Get ready for the thrill of a lifetime with the ultimate adrenaline rush: the Showstopper! This event is not for the faint of heart—it’s a wild test of brainpower, brawn, and sheer willpower. Gear up to conquer Pepi’s Face, the iconic slope named after Vail’s legendary Pepi Gramshammer. Over a period of 30 minutes, you’ll tackle this epic run as many times as you can. With its heart-pounding, nearly 45-degree pitch and 400 vertical feet of pure excitement, Pepi’s Face is one of Vail Mountain’s steepest and most exhilarating challenges. Once known for its intimidating nature, it’s now a fan favorite at the GoPro Mountain Games, drawing athletes and spectators alike. So, get stoked, because the Showstopper is where legends are made!

SUNDAY, JUNE 8
1:00 PM – WAVE 1 – ELITE
2:00 PM – WAVE 2 – AMATEUR
2:00 PM – WAVE 2 – RELAY – TEAMS OF 2*

IMPORTANT:

  • Registration for this event closes Saturday, June 7 at 6:00 PM.
  • *The first person that registers will serve as the captain and pay the full entry fee. All teams must have both team members register by June 7 at 6:00 PM.

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Event Overview

SUNDAY, JUNE 8

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

A 30-minute uphill/downhill dash. Run 400-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.

RETURNING for 2025!
We are continuing to work on reducing waste at the GoPro Mountain Games so all on-mountain Aid Stations will be cupless for 2025. As part of our continued focus on sustainability, participants will receive a free collapsible cup at the race start 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 8

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

Rules

Categories:

Elite – Men
Elite – Women
Amateur – Men
Amateur – Women
Relay Open – Teams of 2

FORMAT & RULES
(Wave 1 – Elite):
  • 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 complete this qualification form.
  • Racers will be sent out in a mass start.
  • Start positions within the wave 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.
  • The 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 the lap line.
  • At thirty 30 minutes, a horn will sound, and runners must finish their 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 must follow all course markings and know/understand the course map. All course markings for this event will be black signs with GREEN arrows.
  • Along the course, athletes will have to run on all types of terrain including Forest Service access dirt roads, uneven, rocky conditions, grass, loose gravel and undulating single track.
  • Athletes are permitted to wear protective gloves and/or padding and use trekking poles. 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 unsporting conduct will be pulled from the course and disqualified.
  • Dogs are not permitted to run in the adidas Terrex Pepi’s Face-Off. Please consider entering the BFGoodrich Rocky Dog Fun Run on Thursday, June 5 if you’d like to run with your pup!
FORMAT & RULES
(Wave 2 -amateur):
  • Racers will be sent out in a mass start.
  • Start positions within the wave 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.
  • The 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 the lap line.
  • At thirty 30 minutes, a horn will sound, and runners must finish their 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.
  • Amateurs should be aware of the split in course at the top of Pepi’s. A course marshal will be onsite to assist.
    • Amateurs will run on the left side and will descend on Strawberry Lane.
      • Amateurs will follow the GREEN arrows
    • Relay teams will run on the right side and will descend on Windish Way.
      • Relay Teams will follow the ORANGE arrows
  • Along the course, athletes will have to run on all types of terrain including Forest Service access dirt roads, uneven, rocky conditions, grass, loose gravel and undulating single track.
  • Athletes are permitted to wear protective gloves and/or padding and use trekking poles. 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 unsporting conduct will be pulled from the course and disqualified.
  • Dogs are not permitted to run in the adidas Terrex Pepi’s Face-Off. Please consider entering the BFGoodrich Rocky Dog Fun Run on Thursday, June 5 if you’d like to run with your pup!
FORMAT & RULES
(wave 2 -RELAY – TEAMS OF 2):
  • Racers will be sent out in a mass start [subject to change based on total athletes].
  • Start positions within the wave will not be pre-determined and it is up to the athlete to get into desired start location.
  • At the start of the race, the first member of the relay team will be at the start. The second member of the relay team will be in the Relay Zone.
  • The Relay Zone in located just uphill of the race start in a marked area.
  • Team members cannot start their lap until their partner arrives to the Relay Zone and hand slaps the partner waiting in the Relay Zone.
    • Teams will be disqualified if a member leaves early and/or does not slap hands with their partner.
  • Relay Teams should be aware of the split in course at the top of Pepi’s. A course marshal will be onsite to assist.
    • Amateurs will run on the left side and will descend on Strawberry Lane.
      • Amateurs will follow the GREEN arrows
    • Relay teams will run on the right side and will descend on Windish Way.
      • Relay Teams will follow the ORANGE arrows
  • Along the course, athletes will have to run on all types of terrain including Forest Service access dirt roads, uneven, rocky conditions, grass, loose gravel and undulating single track.
  • 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 unsporting conduct will be pulled from the course and disqualified.
  • Dogs are not permitted to run in the adidas Terrex Pepi’s Face-Off. Please consider entering the BFGoodrich Rocky Dog Fun Run on Thursday, June 5 if you’d like to run with your pup!
LOCATION:
  • The race starts and finishes in Nature Valley Mountain Plaza.

Price & Prizes

PRICE

EARLY BIRD PRICING // February 5 – April 1, 2025
$55 – Elite
$45 – Amateur
$85 – Relay – Team of 2

STANDARD PRICING // April 2 – May 27, 2025
$60 – Elite
$50 – Amateur
$90 – Relay – Team of 2

FOMO PRICING // May 28 – June 7, 2025
$75 – Elite
$65 – Amateur
$105 – Relay – Team of 2

PAYOUT

TOTAL PURSE: $9,600

elite

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

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

amateur

MEN
1st – $500
2nd – $250
3rd – $100

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

relay team of 2

1st – $500 ($250 per person)
2nd -$250 ($125 per person)
3rd – $150 ($75 per person)

*The first person that registers will serve as the captain and pay the full entry fee. All teams must have both team members register by June 7 at 6:00 PM.

PRIZES

Prizes to be determined.

Price & Prizes

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