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Eagle County summer races offer ‘friendly competition’

Kim Fuller
Daily Correspondent
The Vail Whitewater Race Series brings out watermen and women every Tuesday through the summer to race on Gore Creek in Vail Village.
Hannah King | Vail Recreation District |

Race around the state

Here are a few more sweat fests in Colorado this summer, a bit farther from home, but worth the time:

ROAD RUN: Bolder Boulder 10K — May 25, http://www.bolderboulder.com

RIVER: Royal Gorge Whitewater Festival — June 26-27, http://www.royalgorgewhitewaterfestival.com

ROAD BIKE: Colorado Cyclist Copper Triangle — Aug. 1, coppertriangle.com

MOUNTAIN BIKE: Steamboat Stinger — Aug. 15-16, http://www.honeystinger.com/steamboatstinger.html

TRAIL: Imogene Pass Run — Sept. 12, http://www.imogenerun.com

Step to the starting lines of some local races this summer, and you’ll see what the competitive camaraderie is all about.

“Friendly competition is what I have seen when I am racing, and when I have been around the events,” said Kip Tingle, sports coordinator for the Vail Recreation District. “It’s like running or biking against your neighbor, but at a different level than if you were just running or riding around the neighborhood.”

Check out some of the following local races to test your mettle this summer.



Vail Whitewater Race Series

The annual Whitewater Race Series presented by Alpine Quest is getting promotional and operational support for the first time this year from the Vail Recreational District. Races are held in Vail Village every Tuesday from May 12 through June 9, beginning at 5:30 p.m. All races start at the Covered Bridge and end at the International Bridge.



Tingle said the athletes are generally local and that there is a group of 15 to 30 that are expected to come out every week. All participants and spectators over 21 will receive a free beer from New Belgium Brewing Company.

“It’s a great opportunity to get on that water prior to the GoPro Games, so the athletes can get out on their own home ‘ice’ and play around in that water,” Tingle said. “And for visiting spectators, it’s definitely a cool chance for guests to get introduced to the sport.”

See http://www.vailrec.com/sports/whitewater-race-series.

Vail Valor Races

Cynthia Bruggeman, event director, said the new venue of the Vail Valor is one of the stand-out elements for the local 5K, 10K, half-marathon and marathon races, held on Memorial Day, May 25.

“We have a venue change this year,” Bruggeman said. “The race will start at the International Bridge and run along Gore Creek Drive — right through the Vail Village core.”

A portion of the annual race registration supports the Vail Veterans Program. Participants who are running in honor of someone will be given two race bibs at check-in — both with their 2015 race number. One bib is to be worn during the race, and the other is to be posted on the Wall of Honor where they write the name of who they would like to honor. For more informatoin, see http://www.speckled-hound.com.

Mountain Trail Running Series

Ninety percent of the Vail Recreation District’s annual mountain trail running series races are on singletrack, so the time you spend getting from your car to the race start may be the hardest, most even surface you see all day. This year, the La Sportiva event sponsor is teaming up with Kind Design to make the tech shirts even more worthy of re-wearing. The races are fun in their camaraderie, but innately challenging by their elevation-inspired mountain design.

“All the races are hard,” Tingle said. “Even the shortest one — it could be the hardest one — because it’s only a little over 3 miles, but it’s all uphill; you’re just pinned the whole time.”

Race date and locations:

• 9 a.m., Saturday, May 16 — Boneyard Boogie 11K Trail Run, Eagle

• 9:45 a.m., Saturday, June 20 — Summer Solstice 5K, 10K and Kids Fun Run, Beaver Creek

• 8 a.m., Sunday, July 5 — 39th annual Vail Hill Climb, Vail

• 8 a.m., Sunday, July 19 — Vail Half Marathon, Vail

• 8 a.m., Sunday, Aug. 2 — Berry Picker 5K, Vail

• 9 a.m., Sunday, Aug. 23 — 5K/10K @10,000 Feet, Vail

• 10 a.m., Sunday, Sept. 13 — EverGold 5K/11K, Vail

Individuals 13 and older can register to race. Pre-registration and day-of registration options are available. See http://www.vailrec.com/sports/trail-running-racing.

GoPro Mountain Games

Summer seems to start when the GoPro Mountain Games come to town. While you’re getting your four-legged athletes ready for the annual Dock Dogs competition during the Mountain Games this season, get your own limbs and lungs ready for mountain biking, climbing, disc golf, casting, kayaking, rafting, running, slacklining, stand-up paddleboarding and ultimate mountain challenge events — all on Vail turf from Thursday, June 4, through Sunday, June 7.

Amateurs and professionals are welcome to compete in the events. Spectators can watch for free. For more information, see http://www.mountaingames.com/summer.

Mountain Bike Town Series

In its 32nd year, this summer series caters to mountain bikers of all ages and experience levels. Even if you are a beginner, get out there for one race or the whole seven-race series (eight races, if you count the one that kids have one all to themselves). Just pedal fast, and, if you’re of age, you’ll even get a free beer when you finish.

“We’re thrilled to offer a new course for our adult racers and the first ever kids-only race,” said Beth Pappas, Vail Recreation District sports events manager and mountain bike series race director. “It’s fun to be able to mix things up for our participants to keep the series fresh and exciting.”

The races are held every-other Wednesday evening beginning May 27. On-site registration for the races begin at 4:45 p.m. The schedule is as follows:

• May 27, Eagle Ranch Classic, Eagle

• June 10, Berry Creek Bash, Edwards

• June 24, Battle at Bellyache, Eagle

• July 8, Vail Grind, Lionshead, Vail

• New this year: July 22, Son of Middle Creek Circuit, Vail

• New this year: July 29, Kids-Only Boneyard Brawl, Eagle

• Aug. 12, Davos Dash. Starts behind the Holiday Inn, West Vail

• Aug. 26, Beaver Creek Blast at the Centennial Chairlift, Beaver Creek

See http://www.vailrec.com/sports/mountain-bike-racing/mtb-race-series.

SOS Outreach Colorado River Ride

On Saturday, July 25, the valley’s annual River Ride is back for its three-route offering. Cyclists can choose between a 100-mile course, a 68-mile course and a 42-mile course, all from Beaver Creek Ski Resort and along the Colorado and Eagle rivers. Proceeds go to SOS Outreach, a youth development nonprofit, and Bicycle Colorado. See http://www.sosoutreach.org/page/colorado-eagle-river-ride.

Vail Kids Adventure Games/Mud Run

Kids from ages 6 to 14 can enjoy three full days of racing during the Vail Kids Adventure Games, from Thursday, Aug. 6, through Sunday, Aug. 9. Age categories are as follows: beginners (ages 6 to 9), intermediates (ages 6 to 11) and experts (ages 10 to 14). The free expo will include a climbing wall and a Cave of Confusion, and the Family Mud Run will be held on Saturday, Aug. 8, at 4 p.m. in Vail Village and is open to kids and adults of all ages.

Registration for the weekend events is open at http://www.kidsadventuregames.com.

Outlier Offroad Festival

From Friday, Sept. 25, through Sunday, Sept. 27, mountain bikers unite in the valley. The Vail Outlier Offroad Festival is “powered” by SRAM, a high-end cycling component company, and will feature a backcountry-inspired cross-country race, a downhill-driven enduro race and an all-road gravel gran fondo.

Registration is open for the cross-country and enduro races, and coming soon for the all-road event. It will be a great time to test out some demos, too.

See http://www.outlier.bike.

Cyclocross Race Series

The Vail Rec District closes out the season with one final series — two cyclocross races made up of 1.5- to 2-mile laps for a timed duration. The courses feature a tricky surface combination of pavement, wooded trails, grass, steep hills and obstacles that require riders to dismount and remount often — with bikes in tow — to move through obstructions. Registration opens at 4:15 p.m., and races begin with the kids event at 5 p.m.

Schedule:

• Sept. 2, Maloit Park, Minturn

• Sept. 9, Eagle County Fairgrounds, Eagle

See http://www.vailrec.com/sports/mountain-bike-racing/cyclocross.


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