Monthly Archives: October 2022

PALM SPRINGS, CA (October 22, 2022) The winner of today’s 35^th Annual Palm Springs Aerial Tram Road Challenge was Steven Bingham of Cathedral City, who ran the “World’s Toughest 6K” in 33 minutes, 11 seconds. The first female to cross the finish line was Kate Tennant of Edmonton, Canada in 39 minutes, 45 seconds. Richard Olivares finished first in the youngest category (19 and under) and Patrick Bivona of Los Alamitos finished first in the oldest category (80-99).

This year’s Male and Female Challenge Division Winners are:

The first Tram Road Challenge was held in 1983, and was won by Rob Slick in 27 minutes, 35 seconds and Nancy Baird in 35 minutes, 25 seconds. The fastest men’s time was set by Rubin Garcia of Mexico—26 minutes, 5 seconds—in 1987. Lubov Kremleva of Russia set the fastest women’s time—28 minutes, 56 seconds in 1998.

849 runners and walkers entered in this year’s Tram Road Challenge.

Scenic 6K Run/Walk Set for October 22

PALM SPRINGS, CA (October 13, 2022) The 35th annual Palm Springs Aerial Tram Road Challenge will be held on Saturday, October 22, 2022, with a start time of 7:00 a.m. (walkers start at 6:30 a.m.). This 6K run/walk begins at the bottom of Tram Way and ends at the Tram’s Valley Station, an elevation increase of over 1,900 feet in just 3.7 miles.

Special finishers’ medals will be presented to all participants along with a 2022 Tram Road Challenge tee shirt. Participants will also receive a post-race breakfast snack. 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd place awards will be given in each age category for both male, female, and non-binary finishers during an awards ceremony near the finish line immediately following the race.

The Tramway’s road will be closed until (approximately) 11:00 a.m. on race day. Spectator shuttles will run from 5:30-6:00 a.m. from the Palm Springs Visitors Center (all spectators and participants will be directed to nearby parking lots).

Shutdown Concludes with Refurbishment and Comprehensive Testing

PALM SPRINGS, CA (October 7, 2022) The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway will reopen on Monday, October 10, 2022 after its annual maintenance closure. The first tram up will be at 10:00 a.m., the last tram up will be at 8:00 p.m. and the last tram down will be at 9:30 p.m. Tram cars depart at least every 30 minutes.

Completed projects this year include the replacement of tower sheaves, replacement of the dome windows in both tramcars, and comprehensive mechanical and electrical testing of Tramway systems.  

“Each year’s maintenance closure allows our team the opportunity to perform both mechanical and aesthetic improvements to our tramcars and to our Valley and Mountain Stations,” says General Manager Nancy Nichols. “We look forward to welcoming a new season of Coachella Valley residents and visitors to the Tramway and Mt. San Jacinto State Park and Wilderness.”