Would 3000 Tacos Get You Out To A Run?

September 3, 2010 · Filed Under Running Race Reviews · Comment 

2ndtaco3We’re fortunate in Colorado to have a wide range of features in endurance sports events. Lots of races have their unique features, whether it’s the course, the number of participants, the competition, or the surrounding events. One race in Golden is building notoriety in, well, the tacos. Like, a lot of tacos…

The Second Wind Fund’s Walk/Run/Ride later this month has several unique features. One is that they completely dismiss commandment that all events shall begin first thing in the morning. The 12:30 start is a nice break, and provides great timing for the post-race festivities. The later start time also places the post-event festivities at a convenient time of day. After all, who wants a barbecue at 9 am? What’s more, this BBQ offers all the food you’d expect, along with music and 3000 tacos.

Second Wind FundYes, that’s a load of tacos. Read more

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A Fun Bolder Boulder Alternative For Colorado Runners

May 24, 2010 · Filed Under Running News · Comment 

No doubt about it, the Bolder Boulder 10K road race is a highlight for Colorado runners. For many, it’s an annual Memorial Day tradition. Others use it as a personal fitness goal, and may have never run or walked a full 6.2 miles. And for countless active Coloradoans who will run only one race the entire year, Bolder Boulder gets the nod. It’s an opportunity to run with tens of thousands of other runners and finish like a world-class athlete in the Folsom Field Stadium.

So with all the spectacle and notoriety that is Bolder Boulder, what running event could possibly offer on the same date a great Bolder Boulder alternative? That would be the Houska Houska, naturally.

Houska Houska is a 5K race in Fort Collins that is a tradition in it’s own right. It actually started with LJ Houska and his family 18 years ago. They couldn’t get in Bolder Boulder, so they mocked up their own “Houska Houska” race shirts and ran their own race near their home in Fort Collins. They attracted the attention of neighbors, and the race turned into an annual pot luck, getting bigger every year.

Ultimately the Houska’s decided to “formalize” the race, brought it to their business location at Houska Automotive, and started raising funds for bone marrow programs in Colorado. The cause attracts support from several Fort Collins businesses, and with over 600 runners, last year’s race generated nearly $21,000.

So what’s this Bolder Boulder alternative got to offer? Well, nearly everything Bolder Boulder doesn’t. Smaller, but no less a party. Each year is a different theme – this year is Las Vegas – and costumes abound. Food and live swing music of course, but also games, a petting zoo, a bungee trampoline, costume contests… even easy parking! Bolder Boulder is no place for dogs, bikes or strollers, but all these are welcomed at the laid back Houska Houska. The course itself is run on the bike path along the scenic Poudre River.

The race is so laid back that in accordance with this year’s Vegas theme, top prize goes to not the fastest time, but the best poker hand from cards collected along the course. Other fun prizes are awarded, including one for the best dog costume.

So for a great Bolder Boulder alternative, check out the Houska Houska in Fort Collins for a 5K and family fun.

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Loveland Classic 10K, 5K Shows Promise

July 27, 2009 · Filed Under Running Race Reviews · Comment 
Kids & parents testing their mettle

Kids & parents testing their mettle

With the exception of a mismarked 5k route, the Loveland Classic at Centerra is turning into a solid race in northern Colorado. With over 320 finishers between the 5K and 10K, the race is building on its previous success. Held at the autoplex at Centerra, the course was good, and the clear weather at an early 7:30 start helped make it a nice summertime race. There were also a .5 mile and 1 mile run for the kids as part of the Healthy Kids Series (check out our Facebook page to see some pictures). With a very family-friendly post race expo with food, and some kind of non-dairy frozen non-ice cream – it really was tasty – , it’s a great family event.

Race organizers did commit that ultimate (and unforgivable to some) sin of a mis-marked 5K course, causing some to run off course before being rerouted back on track. The organizers responded as appropriately as they could in a situation like that, adjusting the times of all affected. While they may lose some fans for the error, the field would not be considered one of the fastest (take note, age groupers looking for a podium spot!). An errant course is something that most races don’t repeat more than once (don’t bring up Colfax Marathon here…), and assuming course markings will be double and triple checked next year, the race will continue to grow and become a highlight on the northern Colorado runner’s annual calendar.

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