Outdoor sports are more fun when they become community events. To that end, we present our annual Race and Event Guide, guaranteed to help get you signed up for all the lung-busting exertion, competitive thrills and joyful camaraderie of a full year of Nordic skiing, trail running, biking or just getting funky out there.
Read on and pencil in these dates on your calendar now.
FEBRUARY
Mountaineering Weekend
February 14–17
YMCA of the Rockies, Estes Park, CO
This fun-filled weekend features guided snowshoe hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park, winter ecology for the whole family, ice skating on a natural pond, ice climbing and much more!
ymcarockies.org/mountaineeringweekend
VAIL MOUNTAIN WINTER UPHILL RACE AND HIKE
FEBRUARY 16
Vail, Colorado
Snowshoe, ski, spike, hike or Yaktrax up Vail mountain during the Vail Recreation District’s Vail Athletic Club Vail Mountain Winter Uphill Race and Hike. The race starts at 7 a.m. in Lionshead and participants will tackle 2,300 vertical feet and approximately 2.5 miles of groomed trails to reach Eagle’s Nest at the top of the Eagle Bahn Gondola on Vail Mountain. Stay after the race for free breakfast at Eagle’s Nest. This event is ideal for competitors and non-competitors alike and honors the memory of Vail local Lyndon Ellefson, pioneer of the U.S. Mountain Running Team. Portions of the race entry fee go to support the U.S. Mountain Running Team.
MARCH
3RD ANNUAL TETON SURF CLASSIC
MARCH 28–29, ALL DAY
Grand Targhee Resort, Wyoming
Turn, pump, glide, slash and ride transition. Grand Targhee’s Park Crew will reset the North Pole Terrain Park for a surf-inspired, snowboard-only event scheduled to run Sunday, March 30, 2019. The current park will be completely redesigned to create a more rhythmic, turn-oriented route rewarding riders who can build speed and ride with style and flow. This event will kick off the Spring Sessions series of events and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Awards and raffle to follow.
grandtarghee.com/event/teton-surf-classic
APRIL
whiskey off-road mountain bike race
and festival
April 23–26
Prescott, Arizona
Choose from three different distance options of 15, 30 or 50 miles. Enjoy exploring Prescott, live music, a pro crit, gear, and the bike expo. For more info and registration please visit our website.
8th Annual Crested Butte Pole Pedal Paddle (CB3P)
April 26
Crested Butte, Colorado
The CB3P is a multi-sport endurance race following the Gunnison Valley’s spring run-off path. Participants ski, bike and kayak their way from Mount Crested Butte to Gunnison as individuals or on relay teams. Awards, raffle, and an afterparty with free beer and food follow. Find more information and registration online.
MAY
The Grand junction
off-road mountain bike race and festival
May 29–31
Grand Junction, Colorado
Choose from three different distance options of 15, 30 or 40 miles. Enjoy exploring Grand Junction, live music, klunker and pro crits, gear and the Bike Expo. For more info and registration please visit our website.
JUNE
Steamboat Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K
June 7
Steamboat Springs, Colorado
Join us in 2020 for the 39th annual running of the Steamboat Marathon. Run alongside the roaring Elk River and past emerald green ranches with the snow-capped Rocky Mountains all around. This Boston Qualifier race has been named as one of the “Top 10 Destination Marathons in North America” and offers the best post-race recovery option: natural hot springs!
2020 Denver post
Ride the Rockies
June 14–19
Colorado
Your ticket to authentic adventure in the Colorado Rocky Mountains on a bicycle.
The Carson city
off-road mountain bike race and festival
June 26–28
Carson City, Nevada
Choose from three different distance options of 15, 35 or 50 miles. Enjoy exploring Carson City, live music, klunker, and pro crits, gear and the bike expo. For more info and registration please visit the website.
JULY
SPRING CREEK MEMORIAL TRAIL RUN
July 25
Steamboat Springs, Colorado
Enjoy beautiful 9.5-mile and 5K races on one Steamboat’s premier trails, featuring aspens, a beautiful creek, wildflowers, and awesome singletrack. The 9.5M also runs on a beautiful private property section only used in the race.
AUGUST
Continental divide
trail run
August 25
Steamboat Springs, Colorado
Beautiful and challenging 16-mile and 50K options follow gorgeous and rugged Fish Creek. You will run through aspen trees and by two waterfalls as you head up to the divide. Both races feature quite a bit of climbing in the beginning and roll to downhill trail. Finish at the top of the gondola after running down the gorgeous Sunshine Trail at the ski area.
September
Ned*ned half marathon, 10K, and 5k
September 12
Nederland, Colorado
Your 5K, 10K or half marathon participation supports TEENS, INC., celebrating 20 years of serving Colorado youth. The Ned*Ned is challenging runners of all ages to be “A Little More Extreme” and it’s a good chance to enjoy a beautiful trail run at altitude and have some fun in Nederland, Colorado. Half-Marathon (13.1) and—new this year—10K fans will get to experience running within an exceptional part of Boulder County. The 5K event remains fun with costumes and dogs on a leash still encouraged. The Ned*Ned is sponsored by, and benefits TEENS, Inc. (teensinc.org), so it’s for a great local cause.
