Looking for a challenge??

Rugged. Wild. Beautiful. The Laramie Peak Endurance Challenge invites runners to test their endurance on one of Wyoming’s most iconic mountains. Beginning and ending at Friend Park Campground, this event combines big mountain climbing, remote wilderness running, and the camaraderie of an alpine basecamp atmosphere—all while supporting a meaningful cause.

A mission to support veterans

As a veteran, trail running and hiking has turned out to be more than just exercise. It has become an outlet for my mental stress, and a way to recharge my emotional batteries.

Knowing what trail running (and the trail community) can do for others, I would like to introduce the Warrior Trail Foundation as a partner for this event! https://warriortrail.org/

The Warrior Trail Foundation provides resources to support the 1% of our nation that volunteered to protect and defend. Veterans and their family members continue to fight every day to maximize their life and manage the challenges of loss of community, survivors guilt, physical disability, PTSD, or any number of other issues from their years of service to our nation.

WTF's programs are specifically designed to employ trail running and fast-packing as a form of recreational therapy. To enhance the chance of success of this transformational journey, the foundation provides coaching and personal connections that are critical in building resilience.

Founded by a Combat Veteran with PTSD who discovered the benefits of trail running as part of the solution. Supported by research. It’s proven, it’s fun, it’s challenging, and it will change the way our warriors see themselves and their future.

The Events

24-Hour Mountain Endurance Challenge
Start: 9:00 AM • July 11, 2026

The flagship event is simple in concept and brutal in execution: How many times can you summit and descend Laramie Peak in 24 hours? Runners will complete as many full summit laps as possible before time expires Sunday morning. In the event that multiple runners have the same number of laps, the tie breaker will be miles covered before time expires. However, every finisher earns a commemorative award.


12-Hour Challenge (Rolling Start)
Rolling Start Window: July 11, 9:00 AM through 9:00 PM

Choose your strategy—start early and chase daylight, or begin later and run through the cool mountain night. All 12-hour participants must begin no later than 9 PM on July 11 so that runners in each event converge toward finishing around dawn on Sunday.


Single Summit Challenge (Rolling Start)
Rolling Start Window: July 11 9:00 AM through no later than 5:00 AM on July 12

Perfect for strong hikers, first-time mountain runners, or anyone wanting to experience the beauty and effort of a full Laramie Peak ascent without the ultra-distance commitment. One trip up, one trip down, same epic views. All single-summit participants should also be done around 9:00 AM Sunday.

The Trail

The route climbs from Friend Park through classic Medicine Bow National Forest terrain—dense pine, rocky mule deer paths, narrow ridgelines, and granite outcrops—eventually topping out near 10,000 feet with sweeping views over the Laramie Range. The course is rugged, technical, steep, and remote, offering a true backcountry mountain challenge. Runners should be prepared for high altitude, rapidly changing mountain weather, and significant elevation gain/loss each lap. A lap will total about 9 miles, and nearly 3,000 feet of vertical gain/loss.

Map

Food for Thought

Basecamp Aid Station (Friend Park Campground)

This is the hub of the event and the only aid station on the course. Runners will return here between each lap.

Basecamp will include:
Water, electrolytes, soda, coffee
Fresh fruit, sweets, salty snacks, typical ultra fare,
Made-to-order hot food: burgers, pancakes, grilled quesadillas
Fire pits for warmth overnight (depending on fire bans)
Drop-bag space
Crew access

Medical Support:

On-site medical coverage will be provided by the Douglas Volunteer Fire Department, ensuring runners have access to trained responders throughout the event.

Strongly Recommended Gear

-A running vest or pack with at least 1.5–2 liters of water capacity
-High-calorie food to supplement aid station nutrition
-A windproof or waterproof jacket
-Warm layers for overnight (temps can drop dramatically)
-A reliable headlamp with extra batteries (or a backup lamp)
-Trail shoes with good rock traction
-Trekking poles for steep and rocky sections (highly recommended)
-Sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses
-Emergency blanket or lightweight emergency layer
-Personal blister/foot care supplies

Nutrition Planning:

Runners should...
Plan to consume 200–300 calories per hour, adjusting for heat or altitude.
Use the aid station as supplemental fuel, not the entirety of their nutrition plan.
Know how their stomach responds to heat, high altitude, and long climbs.
Practice with all planned gear and nutrition before race day.

Event's current local time: 6:57 PM MT