July 18, 2021
On April 8th, the XTERRA Cheyenne Mountain Trail Run reignites the XTERRA Colorado Trail Run Series with 5K, 12K, and 24K race options. The race will be held in the spectacular Cheyenne Mountain State Park in Colorado Springs.
“The course is mostly single track and quite beautiful,” said race director, Victoria Seahorn. “The elevation is between 6500 and 7500 feet, so brace yourself for thin air. Usually the weather is in the 50’s at the start of the race and by the end of the run it’s in the 70’s. Of course, that being said, we have had snow and even blizzards at the start of races in April.”
Last year, the race had wind gusts of up to 70 miles per hour, which is great when the wind is at your back, but rough when it’s a headwind.
After XTERRA Cheyenne Mountain, XTERRA stops in Avon, Colorado on July 22nd for the XTERRA Beaver Creek 5/10/20K. The race takes place the day after XTERRA Beaver Creek, which attracts the best elite off-road triathletes from the U.S. and around the world. The 5K is a perfect race for beginners while the 10K and 20K courses include up to 2400 feet of climbing.
In August, the series stops in Golden, Colorado for the XTERRA Golden Gate Canyon Trail Run 8/22K and then heads back to Colorado Springs for the XTERRA Marathon of Trail Races. A hugely popular event that includes a fun 5K, a 21K half marathon, and a 42K, this is one of the few full-marathon length trail runs.
As you might expect, Colorado runners are as fierce as the elements they run in. After all, Colorado is home to XTERRA Trail Run World Champ Joe Gray, as well as his friends Jo May and Doug Beagle. The three met on the bus back to the hotel after the race and they have become thick as thieves. It’s also home to Littleton High School cross country coach, Sydney Ayers, and to 2017 XTERRA Warrior John Davis and the 2xtreme Foundation.
“We meet a lot of people on the trails,” said Jo May. “And we’ve met a lot of great people at XTERRA runs. If you fall, there’s always someone willing to help you up. It’s just a wonderful atmosphere.”
