2024 CREW ACCESS TO COTTONWOOD REQUIRES A PAID SHUTTLE AND A METERED PARKING PASS - NO EXCEPTIONS

Access to Cottonwood (mile 31.1) is tricky, and parking is limited and metered. To accommodate the demand, runners are limited to only two (2) crew members at Cottonwood and crews cannot park at Cottonwood without receiving a “Cottonwood only parking pass” from the Start/Finish. The shuttle costs $10/person and is a fundraiser for a local four-wheel drive club. Tickets are purchased at the Start/Finish on Friday when you receive your parking pass. Crews must receive a “Cottonwood only parking pass” from the Start/Finish before they are allowed to park at Cottonwood. These passes are metered, meaning that runners must pass a certain checkpoint before crews receive their parking pass for Cottonwood. Only one vehicle per parking pass. The shuttle parking area is several miles below the aid station and does not have cell service.

Crews are given their parking pass whenever their runner reaches one of two check points. The checkpoints are positioned and timed to allow crews ample time to reach the aid station, while preventing a rush of way-to-early crews.

  • RUNNERS WHO LEAVE ANTERO BEFORE 10AM - crews released whenever the runner checks OUT of Antero (mile 16.9).

  • ALL OTHER RUNNERS - crews released whenever they reach the Baldwin Gulch (mile 21.1) crew release station (new checkpoint for 2024)

Historic data shows that crews using the shuttle system easily beat their runner to Cottonwood. Between the Antero/Baldwin Gulch checkpoint and Cottonwood Aid Station, runners typically take the following time:

  • Overall Course record (19:42) - 2.5 hours

  • Fast runners (sub 27 hours) - crews will have roughly 2.5 hours

  • Mid-pack runners (27-32 hours) - crews will have roughly 3.25 hours

  • For back of the pack runners (33-37 hours) - will have roughly 3.75 hours

Crews will have ample time to travel from the Start/Finish to Cottonwood (Mile 31.3). The Antero/Baldwin Gulch checkpoint is intentionally positioned; there is no need to rush, but you should begin the 40 minute drive to the Cottonwood parking area as soon as your runner clears the relevant checkpoint. Once parked, expect a 10-30 minute wait for a shuttle ride to the actual aid station. The shuttle ride is roughly 15 minutes. All together, crews in past years have averaged 75 to 90 minutes of travel from the Start/Finish to Cottonwood.

Foot/bike traffic, drop offs, etc to Cottonwood is not allowed

Parking passes are available from roughly 8:45am (CR pace) until 3:30pm (St. Elmo 1 cutoff)

The Cottonwood Parking Area coordinates are: 38.77601, -106.30720

The Cottonwood Aid Station cutoff is 6pm Friday

THE PROCESS

STEP 1 - WAITING FOR YOUR RUNNER TO PASS THEIR CHECKPOINT (SIGN UP FOR TEXT ALERTS)

Crews are given their parking pass whenever their runner reaches one of two check points:

  • RUNNERS WHO LEAVE ANTERO BEFORE 10AM - crews released whenever the runner checks OUT of Antero.

  • ALL OTHER RUNNERS - crews released whenever they reach the Baldwin Gulch crew release station (new for this year, located here: 38.70999, -106.28960)

STEP 2 - PICKING UP YOUR PASS AND BUYING SHUTTLE TICKETS

WE RECOMMEND WAITING AT THE START/FINISH FOR YOUR RUNNER TO REACH THEIR CHECKPOINT. THIS HELPS TO PREVENT DELAYS FOR YOU TO LEAVE FOR COTTONWOOD.

Once a runner has passed their checkpoint, crews can pick up their “Cottonwood only parking pass” and shuttle tickets from the Start/Finish line. We will write the early estimate time of arrival and the average estimate time of arrival for each runner on the parking pass.

Shuttle tickets can only be purchased from the Start/Finish line when you receive your “Cottonwood only parking pass” - crews are strictly limited to 2 tickets per runner. Tickets are $10/each, card preferred.

STEP 3 - DRIVE TO COTTONWOOD SHUTTLE PARKING, PARK, AND RIDE THE SHUTTLE

Once a crew has their “Cottonwood only parking pass” and their shuttle tickets, they can drive to Cottonwood and park. Follow the parking attendants’ instructions.

See below for driving instructions.

You may need to wait 10-30 minutes for a shuttle to arrive, especially for mid-pack crews. The shuttle ride is roughly 15 minutes and will drop you off at the aid station.

STEP 4 - CREW YOUR RUNNER AND RIDE THE RETURN SHUTTLE

Take care of your runner. Note that Cottonwood has a special area for crewing. Unless you are actively supporting your runner, please remain outside the aid station.

When you’re finished, ride the return shuttle back down to the parking area. Shuttles stop running at 6pm.

STEP 5 - PREPARE FOR HANCOCK CREWING

If you are crewing at Hancock, go to this page. Crews will use their “Hancock+ parking pass” for Hancock and future aid stations. Please do not leave for Hancock until your runner has reached of St. Elmo 2, but we do recommend leaving promptly once they do so!

DRIVING DIRECTIONS FROM START TO COTTONWOOD – 40 MINUTE DRIVE TIME

From the start, turn right and head north on CR321 until it intersects Cottonwood Pass RD/West Main Street/306. Turn left (west) and drive about 6 miles and turn left onto CR344. You will see signs for Cottonwood Lake at the junction. Drive for about 4.9 miles, passing the lake until you reach a very large field on your left. Follow the parking attendant’s instructions.

PRO TIPS

  • We recommend waiting at the Start/Finish line for your runner to reach their checkpoint. We’ll have a food truck with coffee and breakfast waiting for you! We’re also hoping to have the livestream up on a projector so you can follow the race live.

  • Runners should pack 100% of their required gear in drop bags just to be safe. This is the first year of the crew metering, so while we think this will work well, some problems are inevitable.

  • Crews should go get their runner’s drop bags once they arrive at the aid station.

  • Don’t go to Cottonwood without a “Cottonwood only parking pass” or shuttle tickets. You will get sent back to the Start/Finish line and that delay could cause you to miss your runner.