june 19-22, 2025
46K • 23K • 18k • 11K • Ascent • iron face
TRIPLE CROWN • IRON crown • KIDS RACE
23K BROKEN ARROW SKYRACE
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Sunday, June 22, 2025
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9AM Start
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21.75km/13.5 miles (one loop)
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1,433m/4,700' vertical gain & loss
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7-Hour Cutoff
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Flag color: Orange
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World Mountain Running Association World Cup: Long Mountain Distance
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Golden Trail World Series
23K Overview
Please note that exact course changes slightly each year due to snow conditions, both in regards to vertical gain/loss and mileage.
The Broken Arrow 23K covers a world-class loop that showcases some of Palisades Tahoe's most famous terrain. From the valley floor at 6,200 feet, runners will ascend nearly 5,000 feet as they circumnavigate the heralded terrain of North America's most rugged and extreme ski resort. The course is characterized by a plethora of vertical gain over a technical and physically demanding landscape that is mostly above treeline.
Along the way, runners will be treated to numerous iconic California trail running landmarks. These include Emigrant Pass (elevation 8,750 feet), made famous by the Western States Endurance Run, the jagged terrain of KT-22, Red Dog Ridge, unrivaled views into Granite Chief Wilderness and the famous Stairway to Heaven ladder, featured on the cover of UltraRunning Magazine!
The price for the 23k is $150. Please note that you must be 16 years of age or older to run the 23K.
2025 World Mountain
Running Association World Cup
The 23k is the fourth event of the 2025 World Mountain Running Association World Cup as a "gold label" long distance event.
The WMRA World Cup, officially known as the Mountain Running World Cup, is an annual international series of mountain running races organized by the World Mountain Running Association (WMRA). Established in 1999, the series aims to showcase the sport of mountain running across diverse terrains and locations worldwide.
2025 Golden Trail World Series
The Broken Arrow Skyrace 23k distance is included the 2025 Golden Trail World Series (GTWS). The Golden Trail World Series exists to celebrate and evolve trail running as a sport. The series stands out in the modern sports world respecting unique values like parity, equity, transparency, and honesty. The races have been chosen to highlight the most iconic events in the sport today. The Golden Trail World Series exists to celebrate and evolve trail running as a sport.
The Golden Trail World Series aims to promote professional trail runners as the world-class athletes that they are, to showcase and protect the awe-inspiring natural environments where we play and compete, and to acknowledge the amazing, passionate fans as an essential ingredient in the sport.
Each of the 8 races in the series has been specifically selected for the scenery, the challenge, the history, and the atmosphere that they offer to both the runners and to the public. These are the races that every runner wants to experience and some of the first written on any runner’s bucket list.
The Golden Trail World Series combines these iconic races into a new and revolutionary concept. A clear and simple format where each runner’s best three results from the 8 races count. This will generate excitement for the public who follow the entire season and to ensure that elites meet each other a maximum of times during the year guaranteeing a high level at each race.
However, it is more than just a race series – it celebrates trail running, trail running athletes and the fans. Every celebration needs a party – a finale that embodies everything we stand for. Each year The Golden Trail World Series will choose a very special race for the Grand Final. In 2025, the top 30 men and women from the overall ranking after the 8th race will be invited to the Grand Final. This guarantees an epic battle till the very last finish line.
Course Specifics
The course for the Broken Arrow 23k starts from the European arch in front of Coffeebar in the heart of the Village at Palisades Tahoe.
As part of the 2025 Golden Trail World Series, elite women will start 20 minutes before both elite men and all other runners. Elites will be determined by both the Golden Trail World Series, the World Mountain Running Association and the Broken Arrow Skyrace directors.
After the start gun runners head through the Village and east up single track trails along the Western States trail toward CA Highway 89. This relatively smooth 3.25 mile section the fastest and most runnable section of the course.
The course stays in the woods and turns back westward for ~2.6 miles, climbing ~1200 ft. along more single track trails and beautiful two-track ski area access roads to the top of Snow King. Runners then ascend and traverse the Red Dog Ridge with outstanding and technical single track and excellent views of Lake Tahoe. This ridge wraps around the backside of KT and links into the saddle.
After descending the ridge from the KT-22 ski lift runners traverse for one mile and 1,000 feet of vertical gain along a mix of open single track across the saddle between KT-22 and Washeshu Peak. At this point is one of the more challenging and spectacular climbs on the course as runners ascend up steep trails to the top of the Headwall lift. At this point, the climb scrambles up the ridge line between the top of the Headwall Lift and the top of Washeshu Peak. It is here that the course traverses an exposed rocky ridge to the "Stairway to Heaven" ladder. It has craggy views and steep drop offs on either side. It represents one of the most iconic sections of running/scrambling in the entire race and is the high point of the race at approximately 9,000-feet.
Runners then descend and traverse about 1200 ft. in ~ 2.5 miles from the top of Washeshu Peak down into Shirley Basin. Along the way, runners will pass through the Siberia Aid Station at mile 8.85. The Shirley Canyon sections is always the snowiest section of the course. From the bottom of Shirley Basin the runners climb another snowy ~550 vertical ft. in about .9 miles back up to the High Camp Aid Station at mile 11.75. From High Camp, racers descend back down the Thunder Mountain single track to the finish line at the KT Sun Deck.
Aid Stations
At the Broken Arrow Skyrace, whether you finish first or last, YOU are a rockstar. This mantra is also true with how you are treated at our aid stations. We've partnered with some of best aid station coordinators who understand that race day is YOUR time to shine. These partners routinely pull out all the stops to make your experience a fantastic one. Participating groups include:
In addition to best-in-class "regular" aid station food, each Broken Arrow pit-stop will have tasty snacks, traditional aid station fare (regular and gluten free bread), some fun surprises and nutritional products from Tailwind Nutrition and Neversecond.
Three different flavors of 100-calorie gels will be supplied by Neversecond, including Unflavored, Berry and one caffeinated option (Cola 75mg caffeine). Tailwind flavors will include Naked (unflavored) and Dauwatermelon.
In hot years, we will have a skeletal aid station at the top of KT-22, at approximately the 2.7 mile mark. This aid station is situated at the top of the Red Dog Ridge climb and directly before the KT saddle. Remember that the KT saddle gradually gives way to the steepest and most exposed part of the course, the Headwall Ridge, and of course the Stairway to Heaven ladder. You will ONLY find ice, water and Neversecond gels at this skeletal aid station,
If you've never tried flavors from Neversecond and/or Tailwind, consider testing them BEFORE race weekend. This will allow you to assess how they work for you - or if they don't. To make it easier, as a registered 2025 Broken Arrow runner, you are eligible for a 20% discount. Shop our hand-picked Race Ready products (along with others from Salomon, Leki, Garmin, Julbo, Black Diamond and more) at our retail provider Alpenglow Sports. Save on Neversecond and Tailwind supplies HERE. The specific discount has been sent to all registered runners. If you've misplaced it please reach out to us at info@brokenarrowskyrace.com.
Drop Bags/Pacers
There is no opportunity to utilize a drop bag in the 23K distance. Additionally, pacers are not allowed at any Broken Arrow Skyrace distance. If you are crewing an elite runner, aid can only be given in and around aid stations. Any aid given on course will result in a disqualification.
Drug Testing
All athletes who participate in any Broken Arrow Skyrace distance are subject to drug testing performed by the USADA (or comparable body) in accordance with the USADA Protocol for Olympic and Paralympic Movement Testing. U.S. Anti-Doping Agency. The VK and 23k, as part of the World Mountain Running Association World Cup, are held under the International Technical Rules of World Athletics.
Recommended Equipment
We definitely suggest some key items to make your day at Broken Arrow more enjoyable. Despite June being a "summer" month, we have had virtually every type of weather imaginable at Broken Arrow, from lightning storms, snow, gale force winds and extreme heat. Accordingly, it is always challenging to plan exact gear choices, and you might even have to make a game day decision/alteration. And of course, there have been years where 100% of the course is covered in snow, making things even more interesting. Lastly, remember that the high alpine terrain at Palisades Tahoe is exposed, rugged and largely above 8,000-feet. This, combined with the challenging nature of our courses can be extremely taxing.
For specifics, we tend to think of recommended equipment as "warm" or "cold" weather gear, almost all of which is available online at Alpenglow Sports AND the Broken Arrow merchandise tents on race weekend.
Summer/Hot Weather Recommended Items:
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Identification
Cold Weather Recommended Items (in addition to the above):
Other miscellaneous items that can go in your vest include: blister care, anti-chafe salve, toilet paper and hand sanitizer, at least 16oz. of water, extra gels (400 calorie minimum), safety whistle, and your phone for pictures and emergency needs.
Running poles are allowed and HIGHLY encouraged based on the extreme vertical nature of the event. Please note that if you begin with poles, they must be carried the entire length of the route.
We're happy to offer all 2025 Broken Arrow participants a 20% discount on best-in-class products from Salomon (footwear and hydration vests), LEKI, our Official Pole Supplier, and Hydrapak, our Official Hydration Supplier and more. Shop our hand-picked Race Ready products (along with others products from Garmin, Julbo, Black Diamond, Neversecond, Tailwind and more) at our retail provider Alpenglow Sports. The specific discount code has been sent to all registered runners. However, if you've misplaced it please reach out to us at info@brokenarrowskyrace.com.
If you are going to use poles, we recommend having a good sense of how they work PRIOR to race day. This is particularly important for ascending the Stairway to Heaven ladder, where you'll need one free hand to grab onto the individual rungs/steps/hand line. You can also consider purchasing a Salomon Custom/Ultra Quiver, a storage sheath that attaches to your hydration vest and allows you to stow your poles on the fly.
To assist with technique and tips/tricks, we also generally offer a free How to Run With Poles clinic with LEKI or race weekend. Keep your eyes on the schedule of events.
Traction devices such as MicroSpikes are allowed in snow years and race organizers will have hand lines installed where needed due to snow patches and/or steep talus. Please come prepared for a serious run in a mountainous environment and bring your desired personal needs in order to stay comfortable.