Grand County hosts short-, long-distance runs to benefit Headwaters Trails Alliance
Granby, Colo. -- The second annual "Run the Ranches" trail running series will take place in Grand County, Colo., this year on Aug. 14, Aug. 21 and Sept. 18.
Each of three scenic guest ranches and communities in the county -- located 70 miles west of Denver -- will host a short run (2-3 miles) and a long run (6-8 miles). The trail series will benefit Headwaters Trails Alliance, a nonprofit advocacy organization for trails in Grand County. The proceeds will help the alliance provide high-quality trails linking towns and recreational areas, with secondary trail systems connecting historical, cultural and recreational sites near our communities.
All races begin at 10 a.m., with packet pick-up and late registration taking place 8-9:30 a.m. Pre-registration fee is $20/adult for each race, or $10 for children age 6-12 (free for ages 5 and under). A late fee of $10/person will be added to any registration fee after 11:59 a.m. on the Friday before each race. Fees include post-race refreshments and awards for top finishers. A commemorative performance shirt is available for purchase on a first-come, first-served basis. Online registration is available at www.RunReg.com.
Ranch and run specifics, and dates, are as follows. Volunteers will man all race courses.
Sunday, Aug. 14 -- Drowsy Water Ranch
For more than 70 years, the 600-acre family guest ranch, nestled in its own private mountain valley, has provided visitors from around the world with authentic western ranch vacations. Under the same ownership/management since 1977, the ranch was named the No. 1 all-inclusive resort in the world by Trip Advisor's Travelers' Choice awards in 2010, and No. 4 in 2011. Runners can choose a 2.9-mile or 5.8-mile run.
Sunday, Aug. 21 -- Granby Ranch
Spanning 5,000 acres of high alpine landscape, the Granby Ranch mountain community offers homes, home sites and full amenities. The community includes SolVista Basin ski area, SolVista Bike Park and cross-country trail network, the 18-hole Nicklaus-designed Headwaters Golf Course, more than three miles of private fishing access on the Fraser River, and hundreds of acres of open space and trails for hiking and mountain biking. Runners can choose a 2.4-mile or 7.6-mile run.
Sunday, Sept. 18 -- Devil's Thumb Ranch
The 5,000-acre Devil's Thumb Ranch is an award-winning, environmentally friendly year-round ranch resort and spa offering rustically upscale accommodations, fine dining and an array of outdoor and wilderness recreation activities. Devil's Thumb has received the Editor's Choice Award for Best Green Facility from Colorado Meetings + Events Magazine. Runners can choose a 3-mile or 7.5-mile run.
About Grand County, Colo. (www.grand-county.com)
Located 67 miles west of Denver, Grand County is home to wide-open spaces, breathtaking mountain scenery and authentic old-west towns. Outdoor recreational activities include golf, boating, fishing, biking, hiking, fishing, hunting and horseback riding.
The area features more than 600 miles of mapped and marked trails, one national park, one national forest, two wilderness areas, two national scenic byways, two major ski resorts, five world-class dude ranches and four mountain golf courses. Grand County's extensive water network includes Colorado's largest natural lake, 1,000 miles of streams, 1,000 acres of high-mountain lakes and 11,000 acres of reservoirs.
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