An iconic piece of trail running history has been updated ahead of this year’s edition of the Broken Arrow Skyrace.
Starting in Palisades Tahoe Village, the Broken Arrow Skyrace features a number of routes, from the 5.8km ‘Ascent’ up to 46km, and takes runners on some brutally steep terrain, leading up to the iconic Headwall Ridge and the ‘Stairway to Heaven’ bolted ladder to the summit of Washeshu Peak.
And it’s that ladder which has been replaced with a modern version this month – as you can see in the video below.
‘Defining moment’
As the race’s media team put it so well on Instagram: “For nearly a decade, the “Stairway to Heaven” ladder (along with #RingingDasBell) has represented the defining moment for participants in the Broken Arrow Skyrace.
“It’s the one that shows up in your pre-race nightmares…the one you can’t stop thinking about on the drive up to Tahoe…the one where your legs keep moving even though your brain says absolutely not. You do it anyway. This is a rite of passage for all Broken Arrow runners.”
‘Built for the next generation’
It is believed the original ladder was first installed at Palisades Tahoe in 1965 but as the organisers explained: “This wasn’t a decision we made lightly. After years of use and careful evaluation, we knew it was time to invest in something built for the next generation of runners.
“Safety is not a compromise we’re willing to make – not for aesthetics, not for nostalgia, not for anything. And for those of you who are nostalgic, don’t worry …. it is our hope to paint it the original color for 2027!”
This year’s races take place later this week, between 18-21 June.
