Back Bowled Over: The Wildflowers get you through the pain in the Vail Half Marathon.
Colorado’s majestic mountain towns host trail running races every weekend in July and August. Plan an overnight for the perfect summer getaway.
XTERRA Beaver Creek Trail Run, July 15 • beaver creek
The Beaver Creek Trail Run (10K and 21K) is back this year, after a successful debut in 2011. The race happens on the day after the XTERRA Mountain Championship off-road triathlon—and the 10K course will follow the same route as the run portion of the tri. Enjoy killer views and 1,300 to 2,400 feet of elevation gain, depending on the distance you choose. xterraplanet.com/xduro/beavercreek
Kendall Mountain Run, July 21 • Silverton
Now in its 35th year, the Kendall starts competitors at 9,318 feet and sends them 6.5 miles up the mountain to 13,066 feet, then back down. Or double your pleasure (for 16,000 feet of vertical gain/loss!) with the marathon course. Want more? Try the Silverton Alpine Marathon and 50K on August 25th. It takes runners on the Alpine Loop jeep roads through the San Juans, topping out at 12,930 feet on California Pass. silvertonalpinerunning.com
Keystone 10K Trail Race/Half Marathon, July 21/22 • Keystone
The Keystone 10K Trail Race takes place on the 21st, with the 5K and half marathon routes run on the 22nd. Both days feature a big wheel rally, a half-mile kids race (ages 3-12) and a festival with live music. The race is one of seven in the fast-growing Endurance Race Series—dedicated to trail running events in Colorado. enduranceraceseries.com
La Sportiva Vail Half Marathon, July 22 • Vail
Part of Vail Rec’s trail running series, the Half will start at Golden Peak, per usual, but features an otherwise new course for 2012. The highlight is the five miles of singletrack along the Grand Traverse to Eagle’s Nest, offering ample mountain views though fields of wildflowers. Other notable races in the series include The Berry Picker Trail Run on August 5, a 3.2-mile ascent up the race’s namesake trail from Lionshead, and the 10K at 10,000 Feet on August 26.
vailrec.com/halfmarathon.cfm
Living Journeys Half Marathon, July 28 • Mount Crested Butte
This race is held in conjunction with the Crested Butte Summit Hike, a fundraiser benefitting people living with cancer and their loved ones though the non-profit Living Journeys. Participants are limited to 100 runners, and parts of the racecourse overlap with the hiking route. Racers follow 13 miles of scenic service roads and singletrack from the base, on a loop that includes a climb (and descent) on switchbacks to the Silver Queen lift. livingjourneys.org
La Sportiva Eldora Trail 10K, August 4 • Eldora
Formerly the Indian Peaks Trail 10K, this race draws about 200 runners to the Eldora Nordic Center trails each year. The course ranges from dirt roads to singletrack, with the fastest times coming in just under 40 minutes. The XTERRA Indian Peaks triathlon is held that same day, but doesn’t start until after the run completes (just in case anyone wants to do both). digdeepsports.com
Beaver Creek Trail Half Marathon & 10K, August 11 • Beaver Creek
This race happens the same weekend as the Wine & Spirits Festival at Beaver Creek Resort, meaning there’s wine (and beer) at the post-race expo. Walkers are welcome to participate in either of the two distances, with no cut-off time, as long as they agree to begin an hour early. This is also one of the few trail running races in Colorado that you can complete with your dog. beavercreekhalf.com
Steamboat Stinger, August 12 • Steamboat Springs
New this year, the Steamboat Stinger mountain bike race is adding a trail running marathon and half. As of press time, the course had not yet been finalized, but it will be nearly identical to one lap of the mountain bike route (which is 25 miles), plus a bit extra. The half course will omit the Ridge Trail and Beall. Participants who do both the 50-mile mountain bike race on Saturday and the marathon on Sunday earn the designation of King Sting or Queen Bee. honeystinger.com
Aspen Backcountry Marathon, August 26 • Aspen
This marathon starts and finishes in the heart of downtown Aspen to gather the most spectators, but is otherwise run on dirt trails overlooking the city. Expect grandiose Elk Mountains views and a challenging mix of terrain with plenty of ascending and descending, both on steeps and on rollers. Max elevation is just over 10,000 feet. aspenbackcountrymarathon.com
