I am going out to Vail, CO for vacation at the end of July and I wanted to see if anyone could suggest a good place to run? I am sure there are a ton of places to run so if I could get some suggestions it would make it easier to narrow down the list. My longest run will be a 10 miler and I don’t mind trail running but would prefer trails that are well maintained and less rocky since I am spoiled and usually run on the track and well maintained run paths back home!
Thanks in advance!
MDD
If you have the lungs, there is a path that goes up and over Vail Pass, and continues on through Copper Mountain, Frisco, Dillon, Breckenridge. It goes as far as you probably want too!!
You might want to try to see if there are any of the Vail Trail Running Races in the time you are there. I think that the race listing is in www.rockymountainsports.com
DB
From map my run:
And remember you will be above 8000 feet so drink lots of water, wear lots of sun screen, and consider scaling your runs back a bit.
Have fun!
There is a path that runs the entire length of the Vail valley, if you are staying in the village you will see the signs or just ask. There is also a track about 5-10 minutes from Vail. PM me if you want info on how to get there. If want to trail run there are plenty of roads and trails right on the mountain that are well maintained. Have a great time while you are here.
Ryan
Roberto
That is a really slick presentation. I appreciate the maps. I’m up there alot also, and might use a couple of them.
DB
Thanks for the info and keep it coming if anyone has another suggestion.
I think I am going to try out one of the local events. It looks like the combination of swim/run is pretty popular and so I will give it a go. What is the water temp like? Should I bring a wetsuit or is the water pretty warm this time of year?
MDD
Which event is it that you are considering? Where is the swim? If it is in any of the little lakes, it will be very cold.
DB
Looking at one of the following:
http://www.aquathonusa.com/ (the July 26th event which is swim/run located at Chatfield Reservoir Littleton)
http://www.racingunderground.com/ (the July 26th event which is swim/run located at Boulder Reservoir)
The only problem is that both of those events are 1 or 2 hours from Vail and all of the running events I could find are also kind of far away from Vail. I am surprised that Vail doesn’t have anything local during the end of July but maybe there will be something happening when I get there.
Does anyone know anything about this race in Breckinridge, CO?
http://www.active.com/event_detail.cfm?event_id=1435636&bgcolor0=EEEEEE&bgcolor1=EEEEEE&affiliate=0
The website says it is part of something called the Nike Summit Trail Running Series and the event appears to be only about 35 minutes from Vail.
Anyone know anything about this?
MDD
OK, both of these events are in the Front Range. The Boulder Reservoir event is a weekly event that is very well attended with some world class folks. Really, fun.
The Aquathonusa event is at our local open-water ‘gravel pond’. Openwater swimming there is great, the water will be chilly, but not cold at the end of July. Many people wear wetsuits, but many people don’t. This is more of a grass roots event originally put on my Mike Ricci (spelling sorry?) I have wanted to attend one of these, but something always has seemed to get in the way. A great mid- week training race, and well run.
The Chatfield race would probably be closer, just because you don’t have to get on 93 and deal with Boulder traffic.
Plan about 2 hours to get to Chatfield from Vail.
I would have to say the ‘bang for buck’ ratio might not be there to do either of these events. If it were me, I’d opt for some trail running or riding in the time spent driving!
Just my 0.02 !
DB
The Chatfield series is not on this summer.
Hi MDD. I live in Breckenridge, as you probably could have guessed from the name, and I run the Summit Running Series. The Horseshoe Gulch race you mentioned is awesome. I’ve only run the long course, which runs up the Colorado trail, drops down into Keystone Ranch, and then climbs back over to Horseshoe Gulch. It is a beautiful, and tough, race. Come over and I’ll buy you a beer after!
Seth
PS: Hi Dave!
Seth
How’s it going? I did not know you ran the Summit Racing Series !! Good work.
Where is the schedule posted? We’re trying to get up to the county on a more regular basis, and would’nt mind doing one/some.
Thanks
DB
DAve,
Here’s the schedule: http://greatadventuresports.com/page.cfm?PageID=909
They are fun, low key races. But, they are getting bigger every year. Quite a few people come up from the Front Range to run. There’s always a party at the Quandary Grill in Breck after.
The Peak 8 race is new, so I don’t know the course. Baker’s Tank is fun, and the Little French course is awesome, huge hills with amazing views. I can live without the Carter Park race. I would say the Horseshoe Gulch is the best course, by far. The Flumes was fun; it was a couple of weeks ago.
Maybe we’ll see you there!
Seth
Sounds good! I think that is the race I will try. The long course should be a real challenge since we don’t have any serious trails or hills where I live but since it is just something fun to do on vacation I won’t worry too much about my time, I just will look to finish and have fun.
Thanks for the info!!
Mike
Hi MDD. I live in Breckenridge, as you probably could have guessed from the name, and I run the Summit Running Series. The Horseshoe Gulch race you mentioned is awesome. I’ve only run the long course, which runs up the Colorado trail, drops down into Keystone Ranch, and then climbs back over to Horseshoe Gulch. It is a beautiful, and tough, race. Come over and I’ll buy you a beer after!
Seth
PS: Hi Dave!
Definitely drop me a PM when you are coming over and we’ll catch up before or after the race.
Seth
the aquathons at Chatfield are off for the year. Mike canceled them because there is a Lil ricci on the way.