Another High Plains Drifter is in the books, with 18 of the 22 starters completing the course.
The High Plains Drifter is a more than 300-mile unsupported bikepacking adventure across Northern Colorado’s High Plains, with about 11,000 feet of climbing.
Austin Denton was the first rider to finish, completing the course in 18 hours, 46 minutes. Denton arrived at 1:46 a.m., posting the only sub-20-hour finish of the event.
The 2026 High Plains Drifter was hosted by Helen Frost, with Britt Batterton.
2026 Finishers
1st. Austin Denton — 18:46
2nd. Ben Souder — 24:55
3rd. Wade Hulse — 24:55
4th. Jeremy Redenius — 27:11
5th. TJ Windsor — 29:00
6th. John O — 29:07
7th. Chris Offensend — 31:22
8th. Dustin Phillips — 32:40
9th. Hewey Calloway — 32:43
10th. Steve Wegner — 34:02
11th. Todd Tillinghast — 34:08
12th. Paul Smith — 34:57
13th. Sean Grealish — 36:13
14th. JONATHAN BLACK — 36:16
15th. Marie Walsh — 36:39
16th. Tom Poulos — 36:42
17th. Josh Lucero — 36:52
18th. Derek Cano — 38:06
Marie Walsh was the only female finisher, completing the High Plains Drifter in 36 hours, 39 minutes. She is the 3rd woman to complete the High Plains Drifter. Paula Simerly also took the start of the 2026 event but scratched before completing the course.
Derek Cano was the final rider to finish. The High Plains Drifter gives a gift to the last rider to complete the course.
Four riders scratched from the 2026 event: Nam Luu, Liam Fisher, Paula Simerly and Cameron Duke.
Congratulations to all 18 riders who completed the 2026 High Plains Drifter, and to all 22 riders who took on the challenge.
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