This year we are proud to announce the seventh annual, Steamboat Stinger. The
Steamboat Stinger, now a Colorado classic, aims to provide a challenging backcountry
race experience showcasing some of Steamboat Springs' finest singletrack. Once
again, the Steamboat Stinger is a fundraiser for Partners in Routt County (Local Youth
Mentoring Group) and Routt County Riders (Local IMBA Chapter).
Just like in the years past, in addition to the mountain bike race, we will also feature a
full and half trail marathon. These two events can be separate, or if you wish to take the
ultimate challenge, you can participate in both events - the 50 mile solo mountain bike
race, and then the 26.2 trail marathon the next day - to be crowned King Sting or Queen
Bee of the Steamboat Stinger.
These events are true to Steamboat Springs' tradition: epic fun with an added bit of
western flair. Giddy up!
Registration will be opening at 12:00 pm noon MST time on Wednesday, February
1st
REGISTRATION TIPS:
This race is now in its 7th year, and has become quite popular; we anticipate this race
to sell out very quickly!
In order to make registration go quickly and easily for you, we recommend the following:
1. Setting up a profile on Bikereg.com so that all your info is already on the page.
2. DUO Registrants – Please have both racers info ready and on hand to complete
registration. You will need 1 credit card to finalize, but both names and info to
finalize your registration.
3. King Sting & Queen Bee – this year, when you register for the King Sting &
Queen Bee categories, you will automatically be placed in the Pro/Open Mtb race
for either Men or Women. Even if you aren’t a pro level rider, you are a pro for
taking on the King Sting & Queen Bee challenge!
THE MTB COURSE:
You can expect singletrack…lots of it. Beginning at the Howelsen Hill Ski Area right in
the heart of Steamboat, the course takes an extended detour deep into the beautiful
backcountry of Routt County before returning to the transition/finish area. Racers will
wind through open meadows, deeply-cupped, aspen-lined, narrow Colorado loam, and
wild sage gardens offering incredible views of the surrounding peaks and valleys. It's a
50-mile race, composed of two 25+ mile loops - 100% of which are on dirt featuring 90%
singletrack.
THE TRAIL MARATHON COURSE:
The course for the Full Trail Marathon will be exactly the same as the Mountain Bike
Course which is posted very close to the 26.2 distance.
The Half Marathon trail will not include Ridge Trail or Beall Trail. Full Course Map
below.
Aid Stations:
Of course!! Each aid station will be stocked up with your favorite Honey Stinger waffles,
gels, and chews in addition to chips, cookies, soda, and water. Once again our partners
at NUUN will have delicious electrolyte mix on course to keep you hydrated throughout
the race. Bike aid stations include the following; Ridge, Cow Creek, Beall, and
Howelsen Base. Each aid station for the bike is roughly 5.5 miles apart. Aid stations for
the marathon include Prayer Flag Road, Ridge, Cow Creek, Beall with two unmanned
water stations at the Quarry and bottom of Ricky’s Ridge.
All roads and trails will be open to the public on race day so please be mindful of other
trail users. Trail litter will not be tolerated so Packet In. Packet Out.™
Steamboat Springs Running Series:
The Steamboat Stinger trail marathon and half marathon are also race number 7 in the
Steamboat Springs running series race series. For more information on the series, you
can find more information here http://www.runningseries.com/
START TIME & SCHEDULE:
**Schedule still subject to change** Stay posted for updates**
Friday, August 11th
12:00pm -7:00pm - Packet Pick Up for the mountain bike race and run open at BAP!
(735 Oak Street, Steamboat Springs, CO 80477) Packet pick up will be available the
day of the race starting at 6am, but we highly recommend that racers pick up their
packet at BAP Friday.
Course open for pre-riding and inspection from 8am-8pm (Howelsen Hill)
Saturday, August 12th
6:00 am – Packet pick up for those who couldn’t make Friday night
7:45 am – MANDATORY Racer Meeting at Base of Howelsen Hill/Below Ski Jumps –
Start/Finish Line
8:00 am – Pro/Open Men start
8:10 am – Pro/Open Women, All Duo Categories and Single Speed Start
8:20 am – Citizen Men, Citizen Woman, Clydesdale Start
12:20 pm – MANDATORY Racer Meeting at Base of Howelsen Hill/Below Ski Jumps –
Start/Finish Line
2:00 pm - 6:00 pm – Packet Pick Up for Running Races
Sunday, August 13th
6:00 am – Packet pick up for those who couldn’t make Friday or Saturday’s pick up
6:45 am – Mandatory Racer Meeting at Base of Howelsen Hill – Start/Finish Line
7:00 am – First wave start - Marathon
7:30 am – Second wave start – Half Marathon
12:00 pm – Marathon Cut Off Time at Half Marathon Turnaround
1:00 pm - Awards
2:00 pm- Marathon Cut Off Time
The Colorado Mountain Town Series:
The Steamboat Stinger will mark the 3rd and final stop on the 2nd annual Colorado
Mountain Town race Series. Racers in this series will compile points each race toward
overall standings for the three Colorado classic mountain bike races.
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The Full Growler and the Half Growler, Gunnison, May 28th and 29th 2016
The Firecracker 50, Breckenridge, July 4th 2016
The Steamboat Stinger (The Finals!!) Steamboat Springs, August 13th
All three races count (sorry, no drops!) and there could be overall prizes, finisher's
prizes (for those that complete all three) podium presentations at the finals for all
categories (categories to be announced soon) ect., ect.
COURSE CHANGES:
We may alter the race course slightly at any time up until race day but we promise it will
still be a hard day in the saddle or on foot! A rain cancellation is possible as well. The
City of Steamboat Springs has final say on race day conditions. Slick mud on Howelsen
Hill is not good for riding or for trail health.
CANCELLATION POLICY:
Earthquake, rain, plague, locusts, hellfire, etc policy: sometimes there are just things
beyond mortal control, Depending upon our options at the time we reserve the right to
cancel, postpone or reschedule the event. Nobody is going to be stoked about a
cancellation, least of all us, but we'll make the decision on-site with all of the
information.
REFUND POLICY:
90 Days prior to the event you will be reimbursed your full entry fee.
After Sunday May 14th you will be reimbursed 50% of your entry fee.
Also, please remember that Registration closes July 31st. So this means no changes,
refunds or transfers.
Your 2017 race registration WILL NOT be transferred to the 2018 Steamboat Stinger
under any circumstances.
RANSFER & WAITLIST POLICY:
Again this year, we are using a waitlist policy, so if you no longer are able to race, you
will be given a refund and then we will pick a lucky bee from the waitlist to fill your
vacant spot. There is currently no waitlist for the Trail Marathon and Half Marathon as
we have yet to sell it out.
This also means the following requests will not be accommodated

Transferring from Solo to Duo or vice versa.

Transferring from Running Race to Mountain Bike Race or Vice Versa
CUT-OFF TIMES:
Mountain Bike - Due to the constraints of our permit, we will have a cut off time of 12:20
pm at the Start/Finish for riders leaving on their second lap.
Trail Marathon - Due to safety and aid station management, we will have a 2:00 pm cut
off time for the Marathon. We will have a 12:00 cut off time at the top of the Half
Marathon course acting as the cut off point for Marathon runners.
MAP AND ELEVATION PROFILES:
This is a garmin file from last years’ course. This is the MTB course where you will do 2
laps. Here is a link to the bike map. http://tpks.ws/wzv0
For runners, this is the full marathon loop, and the half is similar, however does not
contain the Ridge Trail, Beall, or Cow Creek road.(essentially the big loop on the
backside of Emerald)
FORMAT:
Mountain Bike Race:
• Solo categories will ride two 25-mile loops.
• Duo categories (teams of two) will ride one lap each.
Trail Running Race:
• Full Trail Marathon Distance 26.2, one full lap.
• Half Trail Marathon Distance 13.1, one short lap.
CATEGORIES:
Race Categories
Mountain Bike Race
Solo
• Solo Pro/Open Men
• Solo Citizen Men
• Solo Pro/Open Female
• Solo Female Citizen
• Solo Male Singlespeed
• Solo Female Singlespeed
• Clydesdale – 200lbs+
Duo
• Duo Male
• Duo Female
• Due Co-ed
Running Race
• Full Trail Marathon Male
• Full Trail Marathon Female
• Half Trail Marathon Male
• Half Trail Marathon Female
• King Sting (50 Mile Solo Mtb, Full Trail Marathon)
• Queen Bee (50 Mile Solo Mtb, Full Trail Marathon)
CATEGORY EXPLAINATION:
Pro/Open - If you hold a Pro or Cat 1 license, this is the class for you.
Citizen - Looking to have fun, or not much of racer. Remember, Sandbagging sucks.
Cyldesdale - If you're 200lbs or over, this is your class.
PRICING:
Mountain Bike Race:
Solo categories: $95
Duo Categories: $170
Trail Running Race:
Full Marathon: $65
Half Marathon: $50
Registration Bundling Prices:
If you sign up for the MTB races, but also want to add the run, you'll get $10 off. (Does
not apply to King Sting of Queen Bee)
FIELD LIMIT:
This year’s field limit is the same as last year, 500 Mountain Bikers, 400 runners. This
race fills up quickly so please plan ahead!
SAFETY:
The Steamboat Stinger is leaving nothing to chance when it comes to your safety and
health. Race day event medical services will be provided by Event Medical Solutions
Unlimited (EMS Unlimited). Mobile rapid response event paramedics and EMT's will be
strategically placed, ready at a moment's notice, to provide life-saving emergency
treatment even in the most remote corners of the course. Two medical aid tents
provided by EMS Unlimited, equipped with everything from IV's and EKG machines to
ice packs and wound irrigation fluids will be available to race participants and spectators
alike. EMS Unlimited is Colorado's premier provider of event medical services that
specializes in destination/mountain communities and remote access events, visit them
at www.ems-unlimited.com for more information.
SANCTIONING:
Sanctioning for the Mountain Bike race will be provided by USA Cycling. Competitive
Permit #2017-TBD. All racers must have a valid USAC license. If you do not have a
valid USAC license, no worries as it is covered in your registration fee.
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If you haven't done so for a while, it might be worth it to read up on USAC's rules
for sanctioned mountain bike racing
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at: http://www.usacycling.org/forms/rules/2016_USAC_Rulebook_Chapter_
5.pdf It should take only about 15 min.
Quite a bit of Chapter 5 does not apply to your event, e.g. downhill, etc, but much
of 5A, 5C, 5D1, 5D5 will apply.
Note that USAC considers your event to be a Marathon and requires a
"...complete set of race regulations (the technical guide)..." . This gives you quite
a bit of leeway in how you conduct your race, but still retain the advantages of
sanctioning.
Re: 5B, you can either follow USAC's course marking protocols or just use your
best judgment. There are lots of good ways to mark a race course. Remind your
racers it is their responsibility to stay on the designated race course and
recommend they arrive early to pre-ride.
ANY MORE QUESTIONS?
Shoot us an email at [email protected]
Also be sure to follow us on twitter @sbsstinger