The Run Through Colorado Virtual Challenges
3 Long distances - Colorado Trail (486M), Front Range (2
I see traffic is picking up to this page. Is there still demand to do another challenge this year? I have been employed full time (Thank God!) planning races for the last 6 weeks. I will be back home from May to September and will be doing some serious running up in the mountains after, though!
Thus officially ends the Run Through Colorado, with the end of our final spur challenge. I write to you from the Summit of Pike's Peak where, motivated once again in part by sharing this adventure with you, I pushed myself up an alternate routes to the already alternate crags and devil's playground route for 14er #36.
Thank you to the dozens of people who joined me in pushing for 486 MI this summer! Whether you went far beyond or stopped a little short - you still motivated and encouraged me to get out there and hopefully I was able to do the same a little for you.
~Josh
Sorry, ran straight out of Colorado this weekend. Enjoy your last spur challenge and submit your results by the end of the weekend!
If you haven't gotten your award by Wednesday, or have any concerns, please give a shout.
Update from the workshed putting final trophies together!
The long course gets a 6"x10" laser cut and fire branded hardwood cutting board, bookend, campfireside table, or if you like, a medal. If you logged miles leading into September, you also get your miles painted on and your board wrapped in paracord to hang it (if you wish). If not, you get twine. The board is being sealed with butcher block oil so it's safe to put food on or use as a cutting block if you do choose.
The short course gets a nice little drink coaster (?).
As you imagine the process of making these is a little intensive, especially allowing for paint and oil to dry, but I will do my best to start getting these out this week!
My second end of season goal (after Ellingwood) was to ride from Echo Lake at 10.8k up to 13.3k on the Evans highway, then complete the two class 3/4 ridges of the Tour De Abyss. Amazing and quiet day... I hope that this challenge has helped some of you keep fit throughout the summer and chase your own goals!
The little somethings going out next week with the medals, for our spur challenge #2 finishers!
The next two weeks - join us for our FINAL spur challenge, the Sangre De Cristo's, from Sat 9/19 to Sunday 10/4 ! Keep running, hiking, or walking the next 2 weeks and get entered in a random drawing for one of 2 $20 gift certificates to your favorite running store that offers gift certs, OR an annual National Park pass for you or someone of your choice. Here's how to compete:
1) Log over 70 miles (from our Short Course finish in Cañon City down to the Great Sand Dunes National Park Visitor Center). And - for a twist, upload a photo of your adventures. using RunSignUp's new 'photos' button. 2 $20 gift certificates will be randomly chosen from all who complete this challenge.
2) Want to go the extra mile (or 12) up to South Zapata Lake, in the shadow of Ellingwood Point and the stark steep slopes of the Sangres' 14ers? If you do 82 miles (!!!) you'll also be eligible to receive an annual National Park pass shipped to you ($80 value).
Our main challenge is over! Our last spur challenge - The Sangre De Cristos - starts tomorrow, with instructions to follow (hint, it's miles and random prizes if you cross a threshold).
Congrats to Shelley Desmond of Washington, who through an epic effort of running and hiking did three times the Colorado Trail!! And to the 27 other people who completed the 486 miles of the CT - including several who put in a strong effort at the last minute to end up just over length :)
Congrats also to Amy, Lara, and Nathan who finished the Short Course of the Front Range!
I'm posted up for the weekend at what many of you know is my favorite spot in Twin Lakes, getting ready to do one of my last 14er efforts of the season - Ellingwood Ridge of La Plata. I've wanted to do this hike since I first started knocking out 14ers 2 years ago and I've been blessed to have a good friend join me tomorrow. Keep running, everyone!!!
Did you miss our challenge, ending tomorrow?? The fires and snow slowed down the last few weeks, but our last Spur - The Sangre de Cristo Mountains - will kickoff this weekend to tag onto the end of the Short Course.
Also - we have some bandanas left for sale - half off along with the rest of the gear at
https://wekeeprunning.myshopify.com/
Our challenge is almost done! It's been tough to explore with the fires and the cold, but it's a beautiful weekend and I look forward to finishing out the challenge strong and putting together our custom/handmade awards.
Congrats to the 20-ish people who completed their goals already for the summer, and several more in chase this last week!!
The smoke gave a reprieve so took an evening to run in White Ranch Park, my favorite local trail system to Golden.
Whether you're in the fires, traveling, or just breathing in smoke - please stay safe!!
Running down Mt. Hope (13,933ft), Mountain Beach beers on mountain beach, riding the Leadville train, taking my Texan girlfriend hiking up well above treeline for the first time at Independence Pass, and down in Aspen walking along the John Denver Sanctuary. A beautiful weekend exploring the Sawatch where our CT challenge takes us for the next two weeks.
Sunrise from Independence Pass (12k feet) this morning.
https://share.garmin.com/CourtneyCT Track Golden's Courtney Dauwalter as she attacks the CT!
Follow along online. The MapShare site shows the progress of someone tracking with an inReach satellite communicator. Read messages they have sent to MapShare. You can even reply.
Yep 14ers are grand but the Bard Creek trail off Bard/Parnassus was a delightful run down after bagging both mid-13er summits today! Only saw 4 people all day until the last little stretch to the trailhead.
All three main challenges are now in progress - thanks to all who've joined us! You can still sign up for the Virtual Nolan's if you'd like a 100 mile challenge this month. Also, I ran down Bierstadt today, after doing a reverse Sawtooth, if any of you saw me.
The Front Range challenge is a week in! It's not too late to join and as we have a few extra bibs and bandanas, for the rest of the week we'll roll back pricing to the last tier of $34
So register with the code 'latestart' and join us for 260 miles between last week and 9/15!
Ran a race yesterday
3 days, 4 14'ers (Kelso at Torrey's, Missouri, and Bierstadt/Evans) , and one great night's sleep after.
The car got a clean bill of health so Sunday I'll be heading to Laramie WY for the first time to celebrate the kickoff of the Short Course challenge. Then next weekend I'll be making my way up to Fort Collins before the routes get a little closer to home :)
But first: tomorrow morning I'm stopping by downtown Denver to support the 5k "group run" / semi-race that the Colorado Brewery Running Series is holding at Tivoli Brewing Co. If you're not doing anything, won't you stop by an join me for a run and a beer?
Out east for a couple more days.. our Spur Challenge is currently running along Mt. Sneffels + above the Blue Lakes :)
Remember - TONIGHT is your price increase for the Front Range, which kicks off next Wednesday! If 5 miles a day all summer wasn't your jam, stay closer to civilization and tour the Front Range for 4 miles a day until 9/15.
Good morning and Welcome to the San Juans! Our Spur Challenge #2 starts today. $10 or included in your registration to our other challenges. Rules have been sent to participants and are posted at our website at
https://runsignup.com/Race/CO/Golden/RunColorado
*Now Open* - Join our 2nd all-digital spur challenge 7/1-7/14 for only $10! Free if you're in any of the main events so this makes a great kickoff for the Front Range challenge on 7/15. Get your family and friends to join this Spur and it will count towards your referral discounts.
The story:
"After leaving Durango, the Colorado Trail runs along the San Juan Mountains, home to your first "14ers", and some iconic Colorado mountain towns.
Our second spur challenge encourages you to explore a 73 mile route through Telluride and over Imogene Pass, stopping by the beautiful Blue Lakes and Mt. Sneffels before taking a break in Ouray - continuing over rough 4WD road and over the summit of Handies Peak. You'll meet up with the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River and pass Lake San Cristobal before taking a rest in Lake City - before continuing along the Colorado Trail!
This challenge runs from 7/1-7/14, and is encouraged as both a tag-along for friends and family, as well as a "warm-up" for the Front Range course beginning 7/15. There will be a few random prizes throughout to be announced along with the rules on 7/1 - as always, the challenge will be tailored to the latest features and configurations of the RunSignup virtual platform."
If you haven't caught the hints, our next Spur Challenge kicking off next week will be around the San Juans - the beautiful mountains and towns that neighbor the Colorado Trail we're following along. Details are still being finalized and registration will come out end of the weekend!
Of course, if you're in the Colorado Trail challenge - or signed up for the Front Range or Nolan's - you get entered automatically! Front Range price increase and custom bib deadline are also 7/6.
https://runsignup.com/Race/CO/Golden/RunColorado
It's hot today! Stay chill like this Marmot on the ridge at Handies yesterday.
I make no secret of the fact that one of the things that motivated me to do this Challenge is to force myself to explore Colorado as we open back up, and to share and discuss this wonderful state with others. Running, hiking, driving, and of course after a long day, eating and drinking.
In better times I travel the country for work and seek out many a local brewery/pizzeria. So it is both a natural and shameless plug to High Alpine Brewing Company in Gunnison where I stop by this evening to collect myself on the way to the Blue Lakes and Mt. Sneffels tomorrow. Top notch beer across the line, and not shabby pizza.
Love Colorado but not looking to dive into a virtual challenge? you can either donate here to support Food Bank of the Rockies® directly, or buy a bandana with 10% going to support them as well at https://wekeeprunning.myshopify.com/
I apologize for not having a more attractive model, at least one who didn't just get off of sunny 30 mile ride... But bandanas came in this morning and will start going back out to YOU along with bibs.
Hey y'all it's not too late to start our Colorado Trail challenge, prices will go up and deadlines for the Front Range challenge at the end of the month so if not then see you then.. the view is nice along the Front Range too.
Keep in the loop at Run Through Colorado - Virtual Challenges
The first challenge started today! This morning's run was warm but extra special as it took our first check to the mailbox for Food Bank of the Rockies! $516 of your registrations and donations to support a great cause, where even $1 can help provide 4 meals.
You can still join us - our last price increase comes tomorrow night so we can make our last guesstimate on swag materials for our wood medals!
If you are in another challenge or aren't quite ready for this one, the Front Range (tour of the small towns along the foothills of the Rockies) starts on 7/15.
https://runsignup.com/Race/CO/Golden/RunColorado
I'm spending the summer Running through Colorado! Join me in sharing what this beautiful state is all about. Proceeds go to local businesses, the Food Bank of the Rockies, and local trail foundations.
We hit the trail tomorrow! Your instructions email should be on its way right now. If you haven't joined, it's not too late! Last price increase will be a couple days after the start.
This week I'll be doing some 14ers and climbing around Boulder, but am hoping to head out west and intercept the CT myself this weekend. If you've got some pictures and stories of the CT, share them! If you don't, share your best trail stories wherever you are.
Glenn I told you I got you! Bibs heading out next week when the bandanas arrive. We start Monday!
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