Broken Arrow Skyrace

Where the mountains meet the sky. Four days. Ten distances. Palisades Tahoe, Lake Tahoe, California. The Broken Arrow Skyrace, presented by ACG (All Conditions Gear), returns June 18‑21, 2026. Elite and recreational runners tackle extreme high‑alpine terrain: off‑trail scrambling, steep talus, hand lines, a ladder, and snow slopes up to 40 degrees — at altitude. Choose from the Ascent (3 miles, 3,100 ft gain, 600 runners), 18k (3,800 ft gain), 23k (5,000 ft gain, WMRA World Cup), 46k (10,000+ ft gain, "hardest event of its type in North America"), 11k (gateway distance), Triple Crown (Ascent + 46k + 23k), Iron Crown (Iron Face + 23k + 46k), Iron Face Challenge (via ferrata on a granite cliff), Trail Futures NTN (youth nationals), and a Kids Run. $150,000 total prize purse — $30,000 to the winner of the 23k, the largest winner's purse in trail running.

Extreme Terrain — Not Your Average Trail Run:

• High‑alpine, above treeline, steep granite slabs, loose scree, potential snow slopes, exposure
• The "Stairway to Heaven" ladder — a fixed metal ladder that ascends the final pitch to Washeshu Peak (9,000 ft)
• Hand lines (bolted ropes) on exposed ridgelines
• Iron Face Challenge includes the Tahoe Via — a protected via ferrata with steel anchors and cables, a 30‑foot suspension bridge, and chimney scrambles. Participants must weigh at least 88 lbs and be 18+.
• Course may be longer or shorter depending on snowpack — terrain varies year to year

World‑Class Prize Purse — $150,000 Total:

• 23k — $102,200 total ($30,000 winner M/F) — largest winner's purse in trail racing
• Ascent — $28,200 total ($6,000 winner M/F)
• 46k — $19,600 total ($4,000 winner M/F)
• Prize money to top 10 in each gender (46k, 23k, Ascent). Top 5 nonbinary athletes also receive prize money (performance thresholds apply).
• Age group awards (top 3 M/F in 10‑year categories) — handmade prizes
• Nonbinary podium with prizes and trophies

Incredible Swag (Value Exceeds Entry Fee):

• 46k: ACG x Broken Arrow shirt, catered meal ($40), Arcade belt ($38), Sidas foot kit ($35), Boco hat ($30), ACG tote bag ($25), Nomadix towel ($25), Broken Arrow zine ($25), Darn Tough socks ($18), medal ($10), Hydrapak SpeedCup ($7.50), and more — total value ~$325
• 23k: Similar package + Darn Tough socks + catered meal — total ~$225
• 18k/11k/Ascent: Shirt, Boco hat, tote bag, zine, medal, SpeedCup, patch, sticker — value ~$150‑200
• Triple Crown/Iron Crown participants receive each swag item once (not duplicate)

Logistics & Cutoffs:

• Start/Finish: Palisades Tahoe Village (formerly Squaw Valley), Olympic Valley, CA
• Altitude: Valley floor at 6,200 ft; Washeshu Peak summit at 9,000 ft; 46k climbs over 10,000 ft total
• Cutoffs: 46k — 12 hours; 23k — 7 hours; 18k — generous but not specified; Ascent — no cutoff but tram descent required
• Ascent runners must descend on their own if tram is not running due to weather — cannot rely on gondola. Drop bags transported to summit (or as high as snow allows).
• No refunds, no transfers, no bib swapping. Pregnancy deferral available (notify by June 1).
• Partial credits available (until May 15) for medical/life circumstances: $150 (Triple Crown), $80 (46k), $40 (23k), $30 (18k/11k/Ascent). No credits for Iron Crown, Iron Face, or Trail Futures NTN.
• Distance changes allowed until June 6 (if spots available). No changes after June 6.
• Waitlist available (credit card not charged until invite). Rolling invites sent April/May — final invites by June 5.

Registration:

• Opens Monday, December 8, 2025 at 9:00 AM PST
• Closes Tuesday, June 1, 2026 at 11:59 PM (or when sold out — typically within hours)
• All distances expected to sell out quickly

Age Requirements:

• 46k, 23k, 18k, Iron Face, Iron Crown — 18+
• Ascent — 14+ (under 14 with RD approval and parent accompaniment)
• 11k — 16+ (under 16 with RD approval and parent accompaniment)
• Kids Run — ages 10 & under (under 6 must run with parent)
• Trail Futures NTN — ages 10‑18

Schedule:

• Thursday, June 18 — Registration & packet pickup
• Friday, June 19 — Ascent (8:00 AM), 18k (10:00 AM), Iron Face (12:00 PM), Iron Crown (12:00 PM), Triple Crown start
• Saturday, June 20 — 46k (7:00 AM), 11k (8:00 AM), Triple Crown continues
• Sunday, June 21 — 23k (8:00 AM), Kids Run (8:30 AM), Triple Crown finishes

Festival Atmosphere:

• Catered meals from Men Wielding Fire (46k, 23k, Triple Crown, Iron Crown)
• First‑class food, craft beer (Alibi Brewing), live music, seminars, films, and family activities
• Elite and recreational runners celebrate together at the base village
• Signature finish line bell — each finisher rings the bell and is greeted by a race director

Notable Quotes:

• Max King (inaugural 46k winner) called it "the hardest event of its type in North America."
• Designed in the vein of classic European Skyraces — massive vertical gain, technical terrain, and high‑alpine exposure.
• "This is not your average trail run... and it is one you will remember forever!"