Hi - last year I attempted the CTR. Because I am a scientist, I pitched the idea to my lab (http://www.tracd.chhs.colostate.edu) to do a study on me during the race.  I don't think there are many people that would like to have their race complicated by what we did, but I was willing and able because of my own curiosity.  Also, since the rules say no help during the race, it took someone that knew what the scientific objectives were and how the methods worked to have the proper control during the study.  The study we did was related to the interests of our lab in that we study muscle and mitochondria remodeling.  We do this mostly related to aging and disease, but in this case we were wondering if the muscle could remodel to keep up with the demands of the race.  We did a muscle biopsy before and after the race, and then another set of biopsies before and after a period of equal length in which I was doing normal training as a control period.  Here is a link to a blog that is for general consumption:https://ispyphysiology.com/2017/10/12/muscle-rebuilding-on-the-colorado-trail/
In that blog is a link to the published paper (http://jap.physiology.org/content/early/2017/09/07/japplphysiol.00457.2017).  The paper is still in its pre-print form because it has been accepted and is available online but has not gone to print yet.  Anyway, I encourage you to read the blog if you'd like, but more importantly the paper if you are scientifically inclined.  It is an actual science, rather than an opinion (albeit an n of 1), on one aspect of the demands of the race. 
Enjoy

Sorry, I forgot to ask if the trail is generally marked (like the CTR) or does it need more navigations skill?

Thank you, sorry for the clutter. 

Hi,
Looking forward to this.  I was also worried about bears and mountain lions (something that is not as big of a concern on the CTR).  Is there any estimates of how far it is between refueling spots? Are water sources generally available? I am guessing that since it is Wyoming that bailouts might be a little sparse? 

Thanks for the information,
Ben

Hi,
Does the route have anywhere to restock food or do you need to pack enough food for the full length?

Thank you

Great - looking forward to it.  If the completed track is done ahead of time, I'd be interested in seeing it.  Thank you. 

Hi,
Are you still planning on running this race in 2017? 

Thank you.

Hi,
Sorry for the rookie question, but how early should one show up at Waterton Canyon to pick up a Spot Rental.

Thank you and good luck to all,
Ben

Hi,
2016 will be my first time trying the race - by when is the race date usually determined?  I see that others are concerned about the date too. 

Thank you.