The cry of a conch shell pierces the darkness that covers the backwoods of Tennessee past midnight, waking a group of elite runners with a propensity for anguish. The noise is a signal that racers have one hour before they must bushwack their way through the dense forest in search of a book that will lead them to the next checkpoint. 

I know, this sounds insane, right?

I don’t want to give too much away, but let’s just say I was riveted as I read Cody Jones’ retelling of Breckenridge resident Chris Fisher’s journey through the Barkley Marathons, an iconic race that starts when a man lights a cigarette sometime in the night. 

It’s a thriller of a tale, and it reminded me how lucky we all are to live in a place like Summit County, where people who love adventure meld into a community that has high athletic expectations and an everlasting itch to push the limits. 

Just like athletes and adventurers seek new heights, I’m lucky to say I’m a part of a team that is always pushing themselves to hone their craft in journalism — an essential part of any vibrant society. 

When we mess up, they take it hard, striving for perfection in a world of daily deadlines where you can’t relax unless you’re off the clock. But just like Chris Fisher, who failed to make it to the finish line in a competition known for being one of the hardest foot races in the world, my colleagues don’t accept defeat and always find a way to power through the never-ending news cycle. 

This work ethic is true for every aspect of the publishing process, from writing stories to the hard-working folks who are up long after the sun goes down at the printing press in Gypsum. Despite the icy roads and steep mountain passes, we have people dedicated to delivering the news to the community in Summit County. Our advertising representatives work tirelessly to help our local businesses thrive, sharing important information in a creative way in an effort to help everyone succeed. Their hard work helps ensure the community stays informed.

Without a team effort, we wouldn’t be as up to speed on the latest developments in our backyards or the latest decisions made by our elected officials. Without a strong paper, people would be less aware of how their hard-earned tax dollars were being spent. 

Our paper is dedicated to sparking conversations and giving readers a voice so we can collaborate and find solutions for the challenges we face during everyday life here in the mountains. 

Which brings me to my last point: We would be nothing without you, our readers. 
I’d like to invite everyone to help us better serve Summit County and the region by attending our first Community Conversations event at Highside Brewing, 720 Main St., Frisco, from 4-6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 30. You’ll get an opportunity to meet some of our staff and help us brainstorm ways to make Colorado and the place we call home even better.

Andrew Maciejewski is editor of Summit Daily News. He can be reached at editor@summitdaily.com.