Get ready to run: road race season is upon us, with trail race options too – Greeley Tribune

With winter melting away, soon it will be time for northern Colorado runners to take to the starting line at any number of regional road races.

The heartiest of the hearty run all year long, but if you’re interested in jumping into a race this year — and maybe for the first time — here are some races and running tips to consider.

There are race options from Fort Collins to Loveland to Windsor.

We’ll start off with the Horsetooth Half Marathon on April 14 in Fort Collins. The 13.1-mile race begins at Hughes Stadium, the old home of the Colorado State University football team, and takes runners on a nearly 500-foot climb before ending at New Belgium Brewing Company for a finish-line party in downtown Fort Collins.

Mandy Mullen, one of the founders of a local running group called Run. Windsor, described the Horsetooth as “huge,” and it’s considered the season opening race in northern Colorado running circles. More than 1,700 runners finished the race in 2018. There will be a cap of 2,500 runners this year.

The atmosphere at the race is decidedly casual and spectator friendly. Information on the Horsetooth website includes 10 Golden Rules for watching the race and among those are “bring cowbell and bring MORE cowbell.”

Maybe Christopher Walken and Will Ferrell will put in an appearance?

If not, you’ll still know the race is a good one from the Horsetooth website. Mullen, a 33-year-old Windsor resident who’s been running for about 11 years, said a good website is a good clue when considering whether to sign up for a race.

“Make sure it’s established,” Mullen warned. “The longer the race’s been going on, the more established it is, the better.”

That’s the case with the Horsetooth. It’ll be the 46^th running this year.

To register for the Horsetooth, go to https://horsetooth-half.com/registration.

Another race to consider is the Colorado Marathon on May 5 in Fort Collins.

This race is more than a marathon and Mullen calls it the “most popular road race in northern Colorado because there are so many distances.”

There is a half marathon, a 10-kilometer run/walk, a 5K, and a three-person marathon relay.

Race fees through May 1 are $140 for the marathon, $110 for the half marathon, $50 for the 10K, $40 for the 5K and $240 for the relay.

To register, go to http://www.comarathon.com.

There is a post-race party at Washington Park with bands, beverages and food.

Runners in the marathon, the half marathon and 5K must ride shuttle buses to the starting lines. Buses WILL NOT be available for runners in the 10K.

Race packets will not be available on race day. All packets must be picked up on May 3-4 at the race expo at The Lincoln Center, 417 W. Magnolia St. in Fort Collins.

In 1979, the BolderBoulder 10K began in Boulder and it’s since developed into one of the most well known 10-kilometer races in the world.

Held annually on Memorial Day — this year that’s May 27 — the race’s website claims, “We like to think it’s part race, run, jog, walk, parade, celebration and tribute. We made it for everyone.”

For the BolderBoulder, “everyone” means not only runners but walkers and wheelchair racers. In 2018, more than 46,000 finished the race out of more than 51,000 registrants.

The race begins on Walnut Street in downtown Boulder and ends in the University of Colorado’s Folsom Field.

Registration is open and is even available on race day, though the fees do increase. Active-duty military and reserves are eligible for a $15 discount.

Given its date on the calendar, the BolderBoulder does more to recognize the solemn holiday than allow registration fee discounts to military personnel.

After the race, the BolderBoulder puts on a Memorial Day tribute at Folsom Field.

“An important part of the BOLDERBoulder is to honor the men and women who have served our country during peace and war, particularly those who paid the supreme sacrifice, in defense of the U.S.A.,” the race website reads.

The tribute includes presentation of the flag, a 21-gun salute by University of Colorado NROTC members and a flyover from the 120th fighter squadron of the Colorado Air National Guard.

For more information on the BolderBoulder, go to bb10k.bolderboulder.com/register/things-to-know.

— Anne Delaney covers high school and recreational sports for The
Greeley Tribune. Contact Anne at adelaney@greeleytribune.com, (970) 392-5647 or
on Twitter @AnneGDelaney.