The GoPro Mountain Games, held June 9-12 in Vail, is a celebration of sports you won’t see on ESPN, and this unusual slate of outdoor competition draws a cast of unique athletes. Most of these competitors aren’t household names (not yet, anyway), despite the fact that many are world-class athletes on a level with many in mainstream sports. And that level of competitor can make for some surprisingly good entertainment. With that in mind, here are a few of the brightest stars to keep your eye on in this June in Vail. Just watch carefully, because they’ll be coming by fast.
Izzi Gomez
Stand-up paddleboarder
This 16-year-old caught our attention on the rivers last year, with her carefree blonde locks and a 2015 SUP World Championship title under her belt. Coming from a surfing background, Gomez picked up SUP as a pre-teen when her parents bought a few for the family’s Florida swim shop.
The 2015 GoPro Games was the first time the ocean specialist brought her talents to big mountain rivers, which were a big adjustment for her. A foot injury cut her effort short last summer, but this year, Gomez says she’s ready to be a force in the SUP Cross competition.
“It’s the most fun I’ve ever had. There are certain lines you need to follow, shallow spots to avoid, and you have to deal with the current. You have to react—it’s really different from the ocean where you sit and wait for the waves,” she says.
We are excited to see her get after it.
Sammy Rotich
Half marathoner
Rotich was born near Eldoret, Kenya, a region where many of the country’s famed world-champion road runners come from. He showed athletic promise as a child, and when his family could no longer afford to send him to school, he dropped out and pursued running professionally.
Rotich, 29, who is now based in Iowa, has a blistering half marathon personal record of just over one hour, and he’ll be bringing that speed to Colorado for the first time at the Vail Pass Half Marathon. One of his biggest weapons is his ease when it comes to running at altitude.
“It comes natural to me, coming from Kenya. I can do a race at high altitude or sea level, and it feels the same,” he says.
Josiah Middaugh
Ultimate Mountain Challenger
Eagle-Vail resident Middaugh is far from unknown at the GoPro Games, where he’s a nine-time Ultimate Mountain Challenge winner. The event includes trail running, mountain biking and kayaking, and he’s done exceptionally well for someone who taught himself how to kayak in a garage-sale boat in the local pond. This year, the 37-year-old is coming off a 2015 XTERRA World Championship win.
“My fitness is at an all-time high, and I’ve been injury-free for awhile. You never know what the future will hold, but I want to ride this wave as long as I can,” he said.
This season, he’ll focus on racing professionally, with an intense schedule that will take him to the GoPro Games and around the world.
—Melanie Wong
