The Winter Park Half Marathon is probably the most challenging 13.1 miles in North America. It begins at 9200 feet elevation and the first 6 miles go up to 10,600 feet, all straight uphill. It is a good ol fashioned local race that is gaining in popularity with reasonable entry fees and some of the best volunteer support I have ever encountered.
Note:I am so tired of paying $100+ entry fees to, for Profit organizations. The monies raised from this race BTW go to support children and their families during pediatric cancer treatment called "Shinning Stars".
http://www.shiningstarsfoundation.org
The race begins at 8AM, the morning after the mountains receive a beautiful snowy topping from the previous evening storm.
Note: After all it's only June 28th 2014:-)
After the uphill torture the race trail flattens out and the fun part begins; real Colorado downhill trail running; rocks, trees, moose, everything that makes Winter Park the trail running Mecca of the world.
I may be prejudiced but this is some of the best trail running you will ever encounter in The Arapaho National Forest. I love running everyday here.You can just disappear on these downhill, rolling, curvy, rocky trails that go all over Grand County.
The race ends where it began in the center of a Green Meadow in of the valley surrounded by the Great divide aka The Rockies. (see pic).
Camaraderie, new friends, cheers and good food await all finishers, first and last.
I even placed first in my age group. Yup, it was a good day
kianamaiart
blakekathryn
titsay
areudirty
gracieabrams
yousharknotpass
izzy806