38TH ANNUAL TRAM ROAD CHALLENGE RESULTS
Road Challenge Winners
The winner of today’s 38th Annual Palm Springs Aerial Tram Road Challenge was Blake Dignes, who ran the “World’s Toughest 6K” in 31 minutes, 2 seconds. The first female to cross the finish line was D’Arcy Hlavin in 38 minutes, 16 seconds. Nathan Casimiro finished first in the youngest category (19 and under) and Cherie Gruenfeld finished first in the oldest category (80-99).
This year’s Male and Female Challenge Division Winners are:
Age Groups | Name | City | Time |
19 and under M | Nathan Casimiro | Cathedral City, CA | 00:36:59 |
19 and under F | Emma Ayeni | Palm Desert, CA | 00:52:10 |
20-24 M | Jaime Gonzalez | Rancho Mirage, CA | 00:40:42 |
20-24 F | Airlen Franco | Cathedral City, CA | 00:53:58 |
25-29 M | Sander K | Cathedral City, CA | 00:35:01 |
25-29 F | Alice Rodriguez | Cathedral City, CA | 00:53:23 |
30-34 M | Jose Vieyra | Cathedral City, CA | 00:33:53 |
30-34 F | Norma Barbee | Indio, CA | 00:49:21 |
35-39 M | Joshua Acosta | Prescott, AZ | 00:34:13 |
35-39 F | Alexandria Silvestrin | Palm Springs, CA | 00:50:04 |
40-44 M | Russell Baughman | Cathedral City, CA | 00:34:31 |
40-44 F | Rebecca Vellios | Palm Desert, CA | 00:52:30 |
45-49 M | James Graff-Radford | Indio, CA | 00:39:56 |
45-49 F | Letiwe Patton | Indio, CA | 00:46:15 |
50-54 M | Eric Jannon | Santa Monica, CA | 00:41:22 |
50-54 F | Kristen Trubee | Palm Desert, CA | 00:45:34 |
55-59 M | Anthony Tanner | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | 00:35:46 |
55-59 F | Mamiko Berger | Sedona, AZ | 00:43:13 |
60-64 M | Clifford Grant | Palm Springs, CA | 00:43:34 |
60-64 F | Christina Christina | Portland, OR | 00:53:13 |
65-69 M | Rob Erlich | Manteca, CA | 00:48:05 |
65-69 F | Jelka Jonker | Palm Springs, CA | 00:49:51 |
70-74 M | David Byrnes | Terrigal, AUS | 00:49:48 |
70-74 F | Sandy Robbins-Sydner | Apple Valley, CA | 00:58:33 |
75-79 M | Paul Beer | Palm Springs, CA | 00:50:13 |
75-79 F | Jeanne Leslie | Idyllwild, CA | 01:00:20 |
80-99 M | Patrick Bivona | Cypress, CA | 01:21:14 |
80-99 F | Cherie Gruenfeld | Cathedral City, CA | 01:01:03 |
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.
953 runners and walkers entered the 2025 Tram Road Challenge.
TRAMWAY REOPENS MONDAY, OCTOBER 13
Annual Preventative Maintenance Closure Concludes
PALM SPRINGS, CA (October 9, 2025) The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway will reopen on Monday, October 13, 2025, following its annual preventative 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.
During the 2025 closure, several projects were successfully completed, including rebuilding the carriage on cabin one, replacing the counter haul rope, and conducting annual state-permit testing and service to the controls system.
“Our annual preventative maintenance closure allows our team the opportunity to improve the Tramway and its facilities, ensuring an enjoyable experience for all our visitors through the year,” according to General Manager Nancy Nichols. “We appreciate our guests’ patience as our Tramway systems and maintenance departments worked to complete all necessary projects. We look forward to welcoming back our visitors to the Tramway.”
TRAMWAY’S INAUGRAL AUTUMNFEST
Join us on Saturday, October 25 to celebrate AutumnFest at the top of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway! This inaugural event takes place from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Pines Café and features a three-course German meal accompanied by live music from polka band “Bavarian Stew.” Specialty beers will be available, as well.
Tickets are $41 for adults and $27.50 for children ages 3 – 10. Admission includes meal and tram fare.
Come sing, dance, and dine in an alpine wonderland!
PALM SPRINGS AERIAL TRAM ROAD CHALLENGE SET FOR OCTOBER 18
38th Edition of Scenic 6K Run/Walk
The 38th annual Palm Springs Aerial Tram Road Challenge will be held on Saturday, October 18, 2025, 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. Registration is open now through race day.
Special finishers’ medals will be presented to all participants along with a 2025 Tram Road Challenge T-shirt. Participants will also enjoy a finish line festival with vendor booths and complimentary breakfast snacks. Immediately following the race, awards for the top three finishers in each age group will be given out to those registered in the Awards Eligible category.
Tram Way will be closed until (approximately) 11:00 a.m. on race day, with the first tram car up to the Mountain Station shortly after the road opens. 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).
