The Hardest Half-Marathon Around

If you want to put your oxygen supply to the test, oh, do you have some fantastic options in Vail this weekend.

Your lungs might get tired, but Vail provides some of the world's best scenery for trail running.

The and trail race will take it all out of the brave of heart and strong of lung this Sunday at 8 a.m.

The half-marathon is actually a bit longer than the standard distance at 14.5 miles, and certainly more than average in terms of difficulty. With 4,020 feet of climbing, the course tops out at 11,653 feet after climbing Vail Mountain's service roads and trails.

The 4.3-mile Berry Picker course is no walk in the park either. Those who have hiked the Berry Picker trail know that it's a steep and steady climb up roots and rocks from the base of Vail to Eagle's Nest. The Berry Picker will serve as the final selection for one man, two women and one male junior on the Teva U.S. Mountain Running Team.

Both races start at the Golden Peak Children's Center at 8 a.m. on Sunday. They are open to anyone and everyone game enough to try. To register, go to www.active.com. Also, learn more about Vail's La Sportiva Trail Racing series.