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2008 Heart Center of the Rockies Half Marathon
Pat wrote in a few comments about this Loveland race:
This one is a decent, small scale half marathon. Course is point to point, mostly flat, which is nice for speed. While it’s nice to have a course that doesn’t compete with the cars, racing on the bike path isn’t my firts choice. I personally prefer a dedicated half marathon without the 5K, 10K, Kids Run…. but I guess the race would be on the small side and I know the point is to profit. The race shirt was a white long sleeved tech shirt, with black ad logos which probably contributes to the $45 early bird entry fee. I thought there would be a little more happening at the finish line. The beach/park offer the potential for some post-race fun, but overall I can’t complain. A glass company had donated their service van to help runners get back to the starting line. Overall, no major snafu’s - I could do it again next year.
2008 Chatfield Five And Dime
Well my friends it was cold this morning. But not cold enough to stop a pretty good size crowd from rockin’ the trails at Chatfield State Park. Organized by the Colorado Masters Running Association, the Five and Dime consisted of a 5 mile and 10 mile trail run.
This was my very first trail run and it was awesome. As far as the level of fun had while running a race goes, this is way at the top of my list. The course started on a dirt road that wound through a field and turned into single track about 2 miles in. I was super nervous about rolling an ankle at first, and though the trails got pretty narrow, they stayed relatively smooth for the first 6 miles so I had a good chance to get comfortable with the course and my pace. This particular section (from about mile 2 to mile 6-ish) was so much fun to race on… and not just because nobody can pass you due to the narrowness of the track (hahaha to everyone stuck behind me)! It moved quickly through a lightly wooded area and had several turns and small but worthy hills to keep the legs limber and the mind active. After mile 6, the course took runners out into a field where the path itself was quite a bit rougher and involved some longer hills (including some sketchy and steep down hill sections) but did offer more visibility, and of course the prospect of the finish line.
So, the race itself was amazing. Getting to the race was… questionable. The CMRA website is a bit rudimentry and doesn’t include contact or registration information. It was only after I talked to a few people who had done CMRA events that I realized one can just show up to the race and pay. The only other thing that bothered me was that the location was listed as “Chatfield” and it took a conversation with a less than pleasant park ranger to find out where exactly in “Chatfield” the race was.
While I did hear a few people mention that course wasn’t marked well, I didn’t have any real problems finding my way around and felt pretty confident the whole time. In fact, I have to say I was impressed with how smoothly things went along once underway. And hey, for only $10, one can’t really complain.
Despite a few very minor glitches with actually getting myself to the race (old-school website, no contact info, etc), I think the Five and Dime was pretty well organized and the only thing missing was a t-shirt to commemorate the event (though, with that kind of price tag, I can probably make my own).
This is by far my favorite race this year - fun course, small race, laid-back atmosphere, cheap, good competition if you’re into that and plenty of folks just out for a good run - and gets my very selective and awesome stamp of awesomeness.
Denver Red Thread Run 2008 Race Review
Red Thread Run
Here’s a comment from Amy, one of the recipients of a free race entry from Racing Colorado. Nice job, Amy!
I ran the Red Thread Run with my comp entry Saturday (thanks Racing Colorado) and had a blaast! The course was changed from last year which was nicer, as we ran on the streets within the City Park the entire time and never had to run on sidewalks as we did last year. I was able to run with my dog, which really excited me!
The race shirt is long-sleeved (yippee). Kids submit drawings and one design is selected to be on the shirt. There were plenty of beverages and snacks after the race. A lot of door prizes (gift cards to Dick’s Sporting Goods and Safeway, etc.) were drawn for particpants at the end of the race.
This is a fun, small race with many participants being parents and small children (proceeds are for adoption grant programs) that is also trying to recruit serious runners with a $150 cash prize for the top male/female. I had a lot of fun and really enjoyed the gorgeous weather and surroundings!
2008 Littleton Stride - 5K/10K
So have you even heard of this race? I didn’t think so. It’s small and not advertised much outside of Littleton Public Schools. But, my friends, it is definitely worth looking into.
When I stumbled on this last year, I happened to read a little blip on the Littleton Public Schools website saying something to effect of “For the experienced runner, this is the most challenging course in the Denver-Metro area”. Being the snob that I am, I instantly thought “Psssh. Whatever, Littleton Public Schools.”
Yeah. They weren’t joking.
The event benifits (um, obviously) Littleton Public Schools and consists of a 10k run, 5k run, 5k walk, and 1k fun run. While I can’t speak for the 5k or 1k course, I can absolutely attest to the beastiness of the 10k course. It is hilly. And when I say “hilly”, I mean borderline mountainous. I consider myself a strong runner and this course just rocked me. After the first two miles my legs felt like marshmallow fluff, my lungs felt like they may be bleeding, and I found myself wondering why I payed money to put myself in such a position. If it means anything to you, I finished in 43:30… and I won (okay, okay, I was the first female, but 6th overall).
What I didn’t see this year was Derek Griffiths of Colorado Runner Magazine out taking pictures… Ya know, high school volleyball players seem to get more press than even the fastest runners in Colorado, so a nice little shout out in Colorado Runner is pretty awesome (even if it’s a bad picture, which it will be ’cause this race doesn’t make anyone look pretty). So I don’t know if that happened this year or not, but I’m pretty vain so I’m keeping my fingers crossed.
Either way, it’s suuuuuuuch a good race. When you’re done and you get over the strange and disturbing burning sensation in your bronchial tubes, you feel like you should be hanging out with the X-Men. The Littleton Stride also seems to be pretty well organized - there’s a ton of parking, plenty of port-a-potties, a fair price tag, and a well marked course which employs a lot of high school students to cheer for you (which they do quite well - thank you to all the girls in the tie-dyed shirts and the folks on the corners going “First Girl!! Woo!!!”).
This is one tough but tasty cookie. I highly recommend giving it a try if you haven’t, and I will leave you with a bit of advice: hill repeats are indeed your ally, and keep your eyes peeled for folks jogging with strollers and dogs. Hope to see some more of you out there next November!
Eerie Erie 5K/10K Halloween Race Review - Colorado Running Race Review
Stephanie is one of the winners of our recent promotional race giveaways to Colorado’s classic Halloween Run, Eerie Erie. She gives us a description of the race along with the goodies provided, and her personal suggestions for improvements. If you didn’t win, don’t despair! There’s still another chance to win a free entry to Red Thread Run on Nov 8. To enter for that free entry, you may either click here to take a short survey on what you like/dislike about races, or you may simply add a comment to any post on this blog. Say anything you like, just be sure to include something like, “… and please try to set me up with an entry to Red Thread Run.” Now to the race review:
We had a wonderful time at the run today! Of course, the weather couldn’t have been more conducive to creating a positive and happy mood in everyone in attendance.
We arrived about 8:30 and parked across from the Middle School athletic field. My husband was delighted to find a porta-potty conveniently located in the corner of the lot - happy man! We then noticed several others located randomly so that everyone didn’t have to line up in one location - nice.
We were greeted by smiling staff when we entered the “gathering room” where the numbers, etc were distributed. The shirt graphics are fun and I was given the size I had requested. I do wish that all of the sponsors names didn’t need to be plastered all over the back of the shirt, but know it happens on most race shirts - too bad, it ruins an otherwise unique and fun shirt.
I took a peek at the trophies and thought the witches were wonderful and then wondered if the same idea could be carried over to the lesser awards? i.e. instead of a shoe/runner, could the shape be that of a pumpkin or witch…to keep with your theme and to be totally unique… I use this type of award for my key chain and that would bring back fun memories.
The race route was comfortable and all the aides were cheery and helpful. The raffle offerings were amazing and my husband is very pleased with his gift certificate to Dicks.
We are filled with only positive memories of our first visit to Erie and our participation in the Eerie Erie 5K.
Thank you again.
We welcome your review of any Colorado cycling, running, triathlon, or winter sports event. Just email it to us, or use the same contact to let us know if you’d like to be a regular contributor/reviewer.
Autumn Riverwalk & Run Classic - Colorado Running Race Review
Here’s a repost by Marilyn from the Southern Colorado Runners list server forum. It’s a quick review of the Autumn Riverwalk & Run in Canon City earlier this month. Marilyn rates it an overall “save the date”.
This weekend my kiddos and I participated in the Autumn Riverwalk & Run Classic sponsored by the Canon City Parks and Recreation Department.
It was certainly a beautiful course, as this was a first time visit for us. There were a couple of glitches, i.e., my 10 year old ended up on private property, my 7 year old, my 8 year old, and I ended up on the 5 mile course instead of the 5k (They started all the runners (5k and 5 mile) together.
Although the glitches happened, we enjoyed the course and met a great unexpected goal of running 5 miles without stopping! The Canon City Parks and Recreation Department representatives were great. They were apologetic about the mix up and gave the kiddos tickets to enjoy Elitches before the end of the month.. What a great reward for them.
I just wanted to let you all know of our experience and another wonderful welcome as new comers. The course was filled with nature and right by the river…I would highly recommend your participation in this race next year …”Put it on your calendars”. It was another memorable experience for my family and I.
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2008 Denver Marathon
Happy Monday and congratulations to everyone who dragged themselves out of bed and ran the Denver Marathon yesterday! It was a beautiful day to run a great race. However… there were a few things I found irksome.
The first was the whole packet pickup nonsense. Once again, it was held downtown which (hello! duh!) is nearing New York in its ridiculous (lack of) parking situation. It was a pain in the ass only to be alleviated by the employees at the Convention Center riding around on Segway scooters, which was quite possibly the funniest thing I’ve seen. Ever. But, fine. Whatever. It was nothing compared to the complete clusterf-… complete circus that was the start of the Denver Marathon. The line to the port-a-potties was absurd! Who would have thought that 3000 people would all have to pee at the same time? Well, not the folks organizing the race. I would think that such an experienced race director would kind of have that figured out but… obviously not. I sure wasn’t about to wait in that line so i went ahead and cut in front of everyone. Sorry! But like the great thinker Mos Def said “While y’all was askin’ permission, I just stepped up and took it.” Word. But even if you made it to the bathroom in time, it didn’t exactly matter ’cause you couldn’t get to the start line - yeah, it was barricaded! I had to climb over a railing! I could have been injured! Jerks! And! When I was done with the race, they didn’t have the bananas out yet. Don’t you think i might have wanted a banana?! Yeah, I wanted a banana.
That being said…
This is a must do race. The energy at the start line is awesome and i love the crowd here - the runners, the spectators… Everyone is so excited to be there. The course is perfectly designed. It’s flat for the first 4 miles so you have plenty of time to warm your legs up (since you didn’t have time before - remember? you were in line for the bathroom) and settle into your pace without worrying about hills. City Park is gorgeous this time of year and really helps take your mind off the fact that the section that leads into and around Cheeseman Park will make you seriously question your abilities as a runner. It isn’t that steep, but, as many a runner in the Denver-Metro area knows, this 2 mile stretch owns you. But, when you get through it, you’re a better person and you’ve probably gotten rid of some weaker runners who were latching onto you to keep a good pace (bonus!). If you’re running the half, you have just over two miles to go and it’s on a slight decline so you have a nice strong finish. I haven’t run the whole thing but I can only imagine spectacular views at Wash Park (indeed, a quintessential place to run if you haven’t yet) and a great run down Santa Fe. The Denver Marathon draws a huge crowd, fast runners, and will put you in your place (OMG crushed egos everywhere!) among fellow Coloradans. Given that this is only it’s third year with sponsor monster ING behind it, the race can only stand to get bigger and better and it will continue to be a personal challenge of mine.
Compass Montessori Harvest Run - Race Review
Andrea Hill posted a personal review of yesterday’s Compass Montessori Harvest Run in Wheatridge on her blog. Although it was not the most beautiful for running races in Colorado, she was pleased with her overall 10K win. Congrats, Andrea! Here’s an excerpt from her review:
The course was a series of out-and-backs, and the 5K and 10K overlapped often, so it was a bit difficult to gauge how you were doing. At the first water-stop, (1.5 miles in), there was one woman ahead of me, and a few men. The 10Kers had a nice loop on some crushed rock surface around a park, when I had a few guys pass me. The surface was probably good for us, but I felt very sluggish on it. My second mile was a 7:36, and we’d hit mile 3 (7:47) before we left this quicksand-like surface and started our route back to the finish.
I was the first place female finisher in the 10K, third place overall (can you tell it was a small race?). My loot bag for winning was impressive; I received a running shirt, a $15 roadID GC and a $10 running store GC. Not bad for a $30 race!
Blue Sky Marathon - New Colorado Race Gets Rave Reviews
Photo at Blue Sky Marathon site.
The reviews are starting up, and there’s lots of positive chatter on last weekend’s Blue Sky Marathon, a trail race in the hills between Loveland and Fort Collins.
The course is mostly single track and has a total elevation gain of just over 3,000 ft. With 46 marathon finishers and 64 half marathon finishers, the turnout was good for a first-year race. But with seemingly very competent organization, this one has potential for good growth in the future, although my understanding is that it was not a closed course (permitting can be a real chore for any race). Both the Fort Collins Trail Runners and Boulder Trail Runners groups have posted content from both participants and supporters. Here are some of the excerpts from first-hand participants:
- The course is a challenging combination of hills west of Horsetooth Reservoir, and a nice selection of fast, loops through the hogbacks in the Devil’s Backbone Open Space north of Loveland.
- … a beautiful course, enthusiastic and supportive aid statiions, and course marshalls to ensure that runners didn’t get lost.
- After the race there was a great assortment of refreshments
including delicious chili and chocolate soy milk (you don’t get that at every race!). The finishers ‘medals’ were really cool rock coasters, and the awards were rock monuments that had been quarried locally. I know many runners very much appreciated the free massages. - The race was everything you would hope for from a trail marathon.
- From a racers perspective, the race was an undisputed success. The vibe after the race was overwhelmingly positive, and I do believe a good time was had by all, despite the tougher-than-expected course.
- I’ve never encountered such enthusiastic and helpful aid stations!! And the finish area was great as well…
- The Smartwool hats were a great idea as well.
Although this one reads like a paid endorsement, the only disclaimer needed is that many of the comments came from Fort Collins Trail Runners members, which I believe is the club the organizers are affiliated with. Feel free to comment with any additional feedback about that race here.
Lindsay Brown Benefit Triathlon - Racing Colorado Review
Photo from The Good News Blog
Not an official review, but I managed some info on this first triathlon at USAFA. With over 130 finishers, there was a good turnout for an innaugural, late Colorado triathlon season race. This sprint triathlon (swim 750 meters, Bike 14.69 miles, Run 3.1 miles) offered an indoor serpentine swim, a challenging course, and of course the beauty of the Air Force Acadamy campus.
Celeste of The Good News Blog posted about the race and her performance. She references a difficult course “… I think they made it a point to make this a very challenging course… and they put a killer hill in the 5K, oh yeah, and they made you run on soft trails, I felt like I was running in quicksand.”
The inspiration for the event was provided by Lindsay Brown, a Cadet and intercollegiate swimmer who was killed in an auto accident. Just prior to her death she had written a note: “It’s time to get out of my seat and get going!“
