Steamboat Springs — When the Mount Werner Classic foot races start Sunday, running series director Emily Conjura expects a larger-than-normal turnout.

“A lot of people are making the trip to do this one race,” said Conjura, who holds the No. 2 spot in the female division of the running series points standings.

“We have 50 people preregistered so far,” she said.

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With the addition of online registration forms available this year, Conjura has received more entries in advance than ever, she said.

She expects a number of other runners to register Sunday morning before the competition.

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Registration is from 7 to 8 a.m.

The Mount Werner Classic, which is in its seventh year, features a five-mile course and a 12-mile course.

In each of the past two years, 62 runners took part in the Mount Werner Classic, Conjura said.

This year, 40 runners from out of town have already signed up.

More than half of those who signed up registered at http://www.active.com.

“It is brand new this year numbers are starting to jump for the later races,” Conjura said.

Five races, including the Mount Werner Classic, remain to be completed in the 2001 Steamboat Springs Running Series.

Craig White, a 43-year-old Boise, Idaho, resident, will compete in the five-mile run.

“Going up the mountain is going to be really grueling,” said White, who last competed at the 1991 Boston Marathon.

Both of the Mount Werner Classic runs are trail runs.

The five-mile course starts up Valley View trail to Huffman’s trail, before ending at the gondola.

There is also a five-mile hiking portion that follows the same trail as the five-mile run.

Those competing in the 12-mile run also will start up Valley View, then cut across to Duster and Broadway.

Their path will continue to Rendezvous Saddle before leading to Pete’s Wicked Trail and across Storm Peak Challenge.

The final leg of the 12-mile course goes downhill into the gondola area.

White, who will be traveling with his family, said he hasn’t trained for the competition.

His wife, Debby, who will be hiking the course, said her husband will have a tough challenge from their daughter, Cali, who attends the University of Colorado-Boulder.

“I think Cali is in better running shape, but I think Craig’s going to (beat her),” Debby White said. “If he makes it his goal, he does it.”

Those wishing to serve as volunteers Sunday should meet at the bottom of the gondola across from the Billy Kidd statue.

There is a $20 fee to compete in the Mount Werner Classic.