The Durango Derby, presented by Durango Trails, returns Saturday, September 12, bringing amateur, junior and professional mountain bike racers together for a full day of competition across Durango’s three primary in-town trail systems.
Starting and finishing at Durango Mesa Park, the Durango Derby is a one-day, rally-style cross-country mountain bike race. Riders compete on a series of timed stages connected by un-timed transfer routes through town. Unlike a traditional cross-country race, competitors can recover, refuel and ride with friends between stages before starting the next individual time trial.
The event will use trails in the following areas:
• Durango Mesa Park and Horse Gulch: Stages 1 and 4
• Overend Mountain Park or “Test Tracks”: Stage 2
• Animas Mountain & Sailing Hawks: Stage 3
Community members should expect increased bicycle traffic, course markings, volunteers and active racing throughout these trail systems on Saturday. Although all trail systems will remain open to the public, much of the race takes place on narrow singletrack, organizers ask recreational trail users to avoid marked race courses while competition is underway and to follow all race-day signs and volunteer instructions.
Racers will also travel between stages using designated, un-timed transfer routes through Durango. Participants are required to obey traffic laws, but drivers and other road users should anticipate additional bicycle traffic throughout the day.
“Durango Derby was created to showcase what makes riding here so special, world-class singletrack that is accessible directly from town,” said Durango Derby co-organizer Dylan Stucki. “We also want local trail users to know where the race will be taking place so they can plan ahead, give racers space on course and, if they want, come be part of the event at Durango Mesa Park.”
Spectators are encouraged to watch from designated stage start and finish areas or from the main venue at Durango Mesa Park.
MULTIPLE RACE OPTIONS AND FREE JUNIOR RACING
For 2026, riders can choose from three individual race formats:
• The Full Derby includes all four timed stages.
• The 3-Stage Derby includes Stages 1, 2 and 4, removing the technical Queen Stage on Animas Mountain.
• The 2-Stage Derby includes Stages 1 and 4 and provides a more approachable introduction to the Derby format.
Free registration is available for junior racers ages 18 and under.
“The goal is to create a serious race that still feels welcoming,” Stucki said. “The fastest riders in the region can compete for the podium, while someone entering their first big mountain bike event can choose a shorter format and experience the same courses, venue and finish-line atmosphere.”
The trails used by the Durango Derby are made possible by the year-round work of local land managers, volunteers and Durango Trails. Participants may support continued trail construction and maintenance by adding a donation to Durango Trails during registration.
Online registration remains open until 7pm with on-site registration also available from 3pm to 7pm Mountain Time on Friday, September 11
For registration, course maps and complete race information, visit www.durangoderby.com.