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First North American Via Ferrata To Be Featured in a World-Class Running Event, The Broken Arrow Skyrace

A competitor running during the Broken Arrow Skyrace on the Tahoe Via Ferrata.
The Tahoe Via Ferrata in the Broken Arrow Skyrace

Yesterday, the Broken Arrow Skyrace made a formal announcement for a new distance race in their annual event this summer, to include the Tahoe Via Ferrata.  It has been quite a while in the making, and we are SO STOKED to see it come to fruition this year!

The first trail running event in North America to feature a via ferrata, the Iron Face Challenge will be a unique test for participants, allowing access to complex terrain that would normally be very challenging to safely ascend, with our Continuous Lifeline System.

The Iron Face Challenge will be 5.75 miles and include 2,000 ft of vertical gain, composed of 3 segments:

– Uphill Single Track (1.75 mi, 830 ft of gain)

Starting at the KT Sundeck, runners will follow a singletrack up to the base of the Tahoe Via, where they will gear up with harness and helmet for their climb.

– Tahoe Via Ferrata (0.35 mi, just over 600 ft of climbing)

The race will then climb our the Skyline Traverse route on our Via Ferrata, encountering fun exposure, vertical hauls up ladder rungs, and airy suspension bridges. Finishing on the top of Tram Face beneath the Palisades Aerial Tram, the runners will drop their gear and continue downhill.

– Downhill (3.7 mi)

The race will finish at the iconic Broken Arrow Skyrace bell.

The Iron Face Challenge will be a time-trial event, meaning that participants will start in predetermined time slots and the fastest time will win. Passing is allowed on the uphill and downhill portions of the event, but not on the Via Ferrata. We will have our guides stationed at strategic points along the via to assist runners with gear and pinch points on the route.

There are only 50 spots available- You can register HERE!

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