Most local runners are familiar with the two XTERRA events down in Cheyenne Mountain State Park, the XTERRA Marathon of Trail Races (42K/21K/5K) in the Fall each year and the XTERRA Cheyenne Mountain Trail Run (24K/12K/5K) in the Spring.  But did you know that XTERRA actually runs a trail run series nationwide?  The two CMSP races are actually part of the Colorado Series.  The other two races in the Colorado Series this year included the XTERRA Turkey Track Trail Run (42K/21K) in Pagosa Springs and the Beaver Creek Trail Run (10K/5K).

For the second straight year, I participated in the series and enjoyed the different venues and great organization of the various events.  CMSP is such a great place to run and the courses are different between the two races utilizing all the trails in the park.  As if the hills in CMSP weren’t challenging enough, you never know what the weather is going to do in either the Fall or Spring races.  It could be sunny and hot, or snowy and icy on the trails.  The Fall CMSP race actually begins the series for the next calendar year.  So if you’re interested in participating in the 2014 series, sign up and start preparing for the upcoming 2013 Marathon of Trail Races on September 22nd.  XTERRA awards series points for both the 42K and 21K at this race.  I didn’t participate in the Fall race this past year because I was still nursing an injury, but kicked off the season with the Spring CMSP 24K race.  And although it wasn’t my best race, it was still great to get out there and run the trails.

The next race in the Colorado Series was new to XTERRA this year.  GECKO (Giving Every Child Knowledge of the Outdoors) teamed with XTERRA this year to put on the Turkey Track Trail Run down in Pagosa Springs.  GECKO had put on this race for the past few years on their own, but this year teamed with XTERRA to grow this event and the organization’s mission of providing outdoor education to kids.  Pagosa Springs provided such a great venue and the race was extremely well organized with great swag and unique awards made by the local high school students.  Even ran into a Triple Crown of Running Alumni at the race, Don S. who kicked butt in the 42K.

The last race in the series is in the beautiful resort of Beaver Creek.  The resort at Beaver Creek is one of my favorite places to run now since I have such fond memories of finishing the last stage of TransRockies Run there last year with the Best Running Buddy Ever!  The XTERRA trail race was shortened this year, which was a little disappointing.  Last year’s 21K of tough trails was shortened to a 10K for the series.  We ran the same course as the XTERRA Triathlon Mountain Championship race had run on the day before.  The trail still included some good climbing and single track across the ski slopes of the Beaver Creek Resort.

After the conclusion of each of the state or regional series, Snowbasin Resort in Utah, hosts the XTERRA Trail Running National Championships.  Each of the age group winners from the various states or regions receive a free entry into the event, but anyone can actually compete.  The National Championship race is a 21K, but they also offer 10K and 5K events and an XTERRA Triathlon event takes place the day before.  I ran in this event last year and it is another great venue.

I’ve always said, where I finish in my age group is highly dependent upon who shows up.  Although I would like to think otherwise, I’ve probably won the XTERRA Colorado Series 50-54 age group the last two years because I competed in the most races in the series.  But I’ll take it.  I thoroughly enjoyed the series and love the trails at the various venues.  I hope this series continues to grow and more great venues are added next year.

Kudos also go out to Anna K. and Danielle S. who each won their age groups for the Colorado Series as well.