Imperial Challenge
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Imperial Challenge
The Imperial Challenge is an annual spring race in Breckenridge that runs from the Breckenridge Recreation Center to the ski area and up to the summit of Peak 8. The route begins with a 6.0 mile mostly dirt road section along County Road 3 to the base of Peak 7. After a transition, competitors climb terrain that includes Fort Mary B, Claimjumper, the T Bar lift line, Imperial Ridge and the Imperial Chair, with a bootpack to the summit of Peak 8 at 12,987 ft. The final leg is a downhill return toward Peak 7 with a finish near the Independence SuperChair. An alternate descent route is used when Whale’s Tail or Peak 7 terrain are not accessible.
The event offers multiple categories: Runners, SkiMo, Retro Open, Heavy Metal/Rec Open, Splitboard/Snowboard, Team Relay and Team Duo. Helmets are mandatory for cyclists during the bike portion. The transition gear drop area has limited space and bike racks are first-come, first-served; participants are responsible for bike security. Course materials show a total route distance of about 10.7 miles with roughly 3,804 ft of elevation gain. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.