Home › Gravel Races › Colorado Trail Race vs Crusher in the Tushar

Colorado Trail Race vs Crusher in the Tushar

90
Colorado Trail Race
Durango to Denver, Colorado · August
Tier 1 — Elite

530 miles of high-altitude suffering across the spine of the Rockies - 75% of starters don't finish, and that's the poin

VS
89
Crusher in the Tushar
Beaver, Utah · July
Tier 1 — Elite

The toughest 70 miles on the planet. 10,000ft of climbing. Finish at 10,400ft elevation.

Full Colorado Trail Race Profile Full Crusher in the Tusha Profile

Course Radar Comparison

LEN TECH ELEV CLIM ALT LOG ADV Colorado Trail Race: LEN:5 / TECH:5 / ELEV:5 / CLIM:5 / ALT:5 / LOG:5 / ADV:5 Crusher in the Tushar: LEN:3 / TECH:4 / ELEV:5 / CLIM:4 / ALT:5 / LOG:3 / ADV:5 Colorado Trail Race Crusher in the Tushar

Distance & Elevation

Distance
530 mi
70 mi
Elevation
72,500 ft
10,000 ft

14-Dimension Breakdown

Colorado Trail Race Crusher in the Tushar
COURSE PROFILE
Length
Technicality
Elevation
Climate
Altitude
Logistics
Adventure
EDITORIAL ASSESSMENT
Prestige
Race Quality
Experience
Community
Field Depth
Value
Expenses

The Verdict

Colorado Trail Race scores 1 points higher overall (90 vs 89), but the right choice depends on what you value most.

Choose Colorado Trail Race if...

"The Colorado Trail doesn't care about your FTP when you're pushing your bike through talus fields at 13,000 feet."

  • You want a longer race (higher distance rating)
  • You prefer a more remote, logistically challenging event
  • You prefer more technical terrain
  • You want more extreme weather conditions
  • You want the best value for your entry fee

Choose Crusher in the Tushar if...

"The climber's gravel race—where thin air separates pretenders from contenders."

  • You're on a tighter travel budget
  • Top-tier organization and race production are priorities
  • You want to race against a deep competitive field

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is harder, Colorado Trail Race or Crusher in the Tushar?

Colorado Trail Race rates as the more demanding race based on our composite difficulty score (averaging length, technicality, elevation, climate, and altitude ratings). If you're looking for the bigger challenge, go with Colorado Trail Race. If you want a more accessible race, Crusher in the Tushar is the better pick.

Is Colorado Trail Race or Crusher in the Tushar rated higher?

Colorado Trail Race scores 90/100 compared to 89/100 in our 15-dimension Gravel God Rating. The overall score reflects course profile, prestige, race quality, community, and value.

Which is better for beginners, Colorado Trail Race or Crusher in the Tushar?

Crusher in the Tushar is generally more accessible for first-time gravel racers, factoring in distance, technicality, and logistical ease. Check each race's full profile for distance options and beginner-specific advice.

When are Colorado Trail Race and Crusher in the Tushar held?

Colorado Trail Race takes place in August and Crusher in the Tushar in July. If your calendar allows, you could race both in the same season.

Where are Colorado Trail Race and Crusher in the Tushar located?

Colorado Trail Race is held in Durango to Denver, Colorado. Crusher in the Tushar is held in Beaver, Utah. Consider travel logistics, especially if you're flying in — check our full race profiles for airport and lodging details.

Still Deciding?

Get a personalized training plan for either race — tailored to your fitness, schedule, and goals.

Train for Colorado Trail Race Train for Crusher in the Tushar

$15/week, capped at $249. One-time payment.

Privacy choices