Good morning riders
We trust you are looking forward to tomorrow’s big day.
This is the 2nd important update, if you haven’t already, please read the first on the website here:
http://www.joingecko.org/info.asp?uid=377
We are in for hot weather – 88F and with an elevation of between 7,000 and 9,000 ft for this event we ask that you look after yourselves and your horses throughout the day with hydration and sunscreen protection.
As this is our inaugural event and first time ride directing an event with HORSES we respectively ask for your patience as we manage this. We have tried to consider every eventuality but as a first time, that’s more difficult!
VOLUNTEERS
Please give a broad smile of thanks to our 40+ volunteer team for this event – all helping out for the first time too. Without them it wouldn’t be possible to stage an event such as this. Dr Dwight Hooten, Dr Jim Baldwin and Dr Greggory Bell (Greg is from Centennial Equine in Pagosa Springs) are our accomplished VET team, and the San Juan Back Country Horsemen and Parelli Natural Horsemanship have both assisted with the majority of volunteers.
AERC ONE DAY LICENSES
Further to this – we apologize for the late notice of the fee for AERC one day licenses of $15.00 for those of you who don’t have annual memberships with the AERC.
BROWN BAG LUNCHES FOR VOLUNTEERS & RIDERS
Please collect this at the Ride Camp. Unfortunately this doesn’t extend to Crew and Spectators but it is a15-20 minute drive to most shops and restaurants in down town Pagosa Springs for them.
DIRECTIONS TO VET CHECKS
VET CHECK #1 “Ride Camp” - Dr Dwight Hooten
(75 milers through and the finish line)
The Ride Camp (start/finish line and parking) is located at
a gravel pit in National Forest approximately 8 miles east of Hwy 84, along
county road 302 (Mill Creek Road). Follow the Google maps link below. There
will be sign-posts for the ride along the road. Head east on Mill Creek
Rd. Continue onto Fr 662 for 3.0 mi. Continue onto Fr 665. https://www.google.com/maps/dir/37.2662033,-106.9920263/37.2700233,-106.8816228/@37.2683378,-106.9348201,13z This will be the communications hub.
VET CHECK #2 “Blue Lake”- Dr Jim Baldwin
15 mile and 30 mile (50 & 75 milers through here)
From the junction of HWY84 and HWY160 travel south on HWY 84
for 8.1 miles. Turn left onto Blanco Basin Road (CR 326). Travel 2.3 miles and
then take a right onto Blue Creek Road (USFS 12). Travel 0.7 miles, then keep
left at the fork for another 1.9 miles to the vet check. This route is
preferable for high clearance vehicles.
VET CHECK #3 “Fawn
Gulch” – Dr Greggory Bell
13 miles/64 miles (25 and 75 milers through here)
From the junction of HWY 160 and HWY 84, travel east 3.4
miles to Fawn Gulch Road (Country Road 113). Travel 1.4 miles to reach the vet
check on the right-hand-side.
TRAILER FOR DROP BAGS
There will be two trailers for drop bags going to the two vet checks. They will be at the Ride Camp tonight to pack in and early Saturday morning. Clearly mark your items with your name and when you arrive at the vet check you will see the trailer there with everything.
UPDATE: RES HILL GRILL
Unfortunately Res Hill Grill will not be open this weekend as previously noted. Downtown you will find many lovely shops and restaurants. http://pagosaspringsdining.com/ will give you a list of the best. The Pagosa Baking Company and Kips Grill & Cantina are two close to the Ride Camp, and support GECKO regularly.
We update our Facebook daily with event information, event photos, latest news etc – so definitely find us on Facebook here <https://www.facebook.com/pages/GECKO/324829909101> and get your updates first!
REMINDER: BRIEFINGS
There will be a mandatory rider briefing (race director on course and head Vet on horse safety and vet checks) for the 50-mile and 75-mile at 7pm tonight, Friday June 19th at Ride Camp. 25 milers are welcome to attend and all questions will be answered for all the distances but the mandatory ride briefing for 25 mile is at 750am on Saturday.
GECKO Ride Director – Mike Le Roux (970 398 0613)
GECKO Base Camp Communications – Kirsten Le Roux (970 398 0612)
Cheers,
Mike Le Roux
Ride Director
970-398-0612
Dear GECKO supporters,
I would like to take a moment of your time to thank you for giving me this wonderful experience. Your support has given me a scholarship to a NOLS course. As an avid outdoorswoman and a future wildlife biologist this was a dream come true. My NOLS course has taught me lessons that I will undoubtedly refer to in the future. There were many lessons, but I picked “The Golden Three”.
The first lesson I learned is "take time to appreciate the hard work", after hours of continuous bushwhacking, sheets of icy rain or a horribly cooked meal, you have to appreciate the effort put into each action. Sitting on top of a mountain after a hard, sweaty 14 miles, look up and appreciate the brilliant orange clouds that stained the snow capped ranges. See the wonderful individuals you share this experience with. If you wouldn't have put that much effort into hiking that day, that view couldn't be that striking, the friendships not as special.
The second lesson I learned was to “lead by example and share the wealth”. When someone was having a tough day, the kind of day that slowly grinds the gears, the best thing you can do is share your trail mix, crack jokes and help them set up their tent. Because your positive energy and willingness to understand is the greatest way to improve group dynamic.
The third lesson, “when the milk spills, just clean it”. Some days when we were soaked to our skin it was difficult to not complain and keep going. But you just had to realize the only way to get dry was to make it to camp and crawl in that beautifully crafted sleeping bag and slide on those sacred dry socks. Vocalizing the level of difficulty and discomfort doesn't help the situation. Everyone already is going through the same exact experience. But it was these situations that we will remember the most, and what they taught us.
There were difficult times on our course, like the day we climbed a steep pass in blizzard conditions. We all developed mild hypothermia but we sang loudly to Journey, trying to overpower the howling wind as we waited to hear from the instructors whether we could climb down the other side. Three hours ticked by but we were unable to get down in this weather, we returned to our previous campsite and stayed there. Tolerance for Adversity and Uncertainty, right? It was a very humbling experience.
Another day we had set up camp along the banks of the Wood River with intentions to cross the next day. It had rained that entire day and didn’t stop that night either. We decided for a layover day to have classes on Wilderness Medicine. It had been raining for over 48 hours without stopping. Before crawling in my tent I noticed the small creek beside my tent swelling every hour. I said to my tent mate, “Jackie, we are going to be underwater in the morning” with all seriousness and crawled in my tent. I assured myself the 100 meters between us and the Wood was safe enough. Jackie was very upset that night because she was supposed to be an LOD(Leader of the Day) and she couldn’t figure out how to read a map. I tried my best to teach her and comforted her with an “Everything will be better in the morning”.
At 3 am I woke to a damp feeling creeping in my sleeping bag. I put my hand out onto the tent bottom, it was the consistency of a waterbed, and the ground had turned to Jello. I yelled to Jackie, who was still sound asleep, “Jackie we need to get out of here we are going to drown!” I frantically started to throw my wet belongings in my pack as water poured into the mesh bug netting of our tent. Jackie and I began to just start laughing, what were we supposed to do in this situation? Jackie said, “So Jett you said everything was going to get better in the morning?” I shook my head and crawled out of my tent still in my base layers. My foot hit the sediment with glacial river water up to my knees. I threw my bag on high ground and began to wake everyone up. As soon as 2 other people emerged from their bogged tents, we ran to the kitchen and started throwing our gear out of the river that was running through our cooking area. Luckily nothing was lost. I sat in the mud, my feet purple and numb from the frigid water.
The Instructors had decided there were to be no LODs that day, and we should cross the Wood River before it got any more dangerous. It was 4:30 in the morning and we threw on our wet boots and packs. Watershed off the mountains was 1 ½ feet deep. Just imagine, everywhere there was a knee deep river that you couldn’t get out of. We hiked 5 miles before we found a suitable place to cross. The water was belly-button deep in some places but we all made it across safely. We hiked another 3 miles to the airstrip where our re-rations would be. We made it there by 11 am. As soon as our feet touched the strip the rain stopped and the sun came out. It was surreal. We emptied our soaking belongings and hung them on every willow we could find. It looked like a used gear sale. Our instructor called the pilot letting him know we reached the airstrip. Ray, the pilot, decided to go ahead and bring our re-rations a day early without knowing what we had been through that morning.
Needless to say it was a long day, but not one moment during it did I wish I was home. Every hardship during my course was what made it so interesting. Even when a bear stole 15 pounds of food from my group and we went on a “low calorie diet” for ISGE(Independent Student Group Expedition, which is where we are completely independent of the instructors for 5 days and 4 nights). The stories you tell people after aren’t the beautiful and serene moments of sitting atop a peak, but the gritty and challenging ones.
What made it all worth it was seeing the natural beauty that surrounded us. The natural beauty people like NOLS and GECKO help protect. I am so glad I got to have such a wonderful and amazing experience and be around unique and incredible people whom I’ve grown to love so much. GECKO and NOLS are for sure organizations I will always support for their dedication to the outdoors. They intensified my passion to teach the masses about wildlife and how important it is we protect and enjoy nature. Thank you so much for time, energy and support for what GECKO and NOLS stand for. It was because of those things I was blessed to go on such a wild trip, a trip I will never forget and for that I am eternally grateful.
Angette Pastuszek
Get High with a brand new midsummer event on this Saturday at Wolf Creek Ski Area. When the clock starts you have 8 hours to complete as many or as few) laps as you can of either a short mountain bike loop or a short trail running loop…at over 10,000 feet of altitude!
8 hours of Wolf Creek
Saturday July 19th 8am to 4pm
Registration from 7am at Wolf Creek Ski Area lodge
8 hours Mountain Bike or 8 hours Trail Run, short lap racing.
Solo or option of Team up to 4
Wolf Creek Ski Area 10,000ft + incredible venue (ski lodge base camp)
Perfect long day’s training for your high altitude August ultra
Camping available at the Ski Lodge parking lot and for tents a mile away
No set entry fee. Pay what you want. Pay what you can. Pay it forward with GECKO
RSVP online to help us plan the day, and then pay when you get there (whatever you like), as a donation to GECKO. Credit card, cash or Check.
http://www.joingecko.org/info.asp?uid=381 (RSVP online, open until midday Friday)
We want this to be a FUN day out with Team GECKO and we’d love your support. Even if you can’t come out for the full day, come and do a few laps of for your favorite sport and hang out with us. Test your lungs at 10,000ft and have a blast celebrating summer outdoors.
Race Hard, Have Fun, Take a lot of Pictures and Enjoy the Fierce Beauty of the Wolf, while you Pay it Forward with GECKO.
For questions regarding the event, contact Mike Le Roux 970-398-0612 or Morgan Murri 303-475-6053 or email info@joingecko.org
Reasons to Race
Little Reminders to make Race Day fantastic
If you’ve already signed up – thank you and here are the rules http://blog.joingecko.org/race-rules-and-instructions-for-8-hours-of-wolf-creek
This is a distance over time race. Meaning the final
placement, within each category, will be determined by the person or team that
covers the most distance (Laps) within the 8-hour time limit.
Placement: Should a person or team complete the same distance (number of laps) within the 8-hour time limit placement will be determined by the person or team completing the distance (laps) in the shortest amount of time.
Example: Runner 101 completes 10 laps with a final time of 7 hours 45 minutes and runner 105 Completes 10 laps with a final time of 7 hours 32 minutes runner 105 will be the winner.
Any lap completed after the 8-hour time limit will NOT be counted. Therefore be confident of the time you will need to complete your final lap to ensure arrival at the final finish PRIOR to the 8-hour limit.
Check-in, Check-out procedure:
Each racer must check-in and check-out of each lap.
The ski lodge patio will be used for timing. As you enter the patio you must stop and present your bib # to the staff at the check in table. Each racer must wait for confirmation from the timing staff that they have been logged in and time noted.
After handling your aid/refuel/restroom/team transitioning (all available on the patio/lodge area) you will depart the patio to the west, stopping at the check-out table, presenting your bib # and awaiting confirmation that the timing staff has logged and noted your departure time.
Course Rules:
Runners and riders will share much of the same course.
The entire first mile (and 1,000’ of elevation gain) is climbing.
Runners will depart the double track/road to the Continental Divide Trail before the Riders do.
Prior to this departure Riders have right of way, due to the steepness of the road and difficulty of making this climb while staying on your bike. With that right of way comes the responsibility to KINDLY announce yourself and your intention as you approach a runner from the rear. “Coming around you on your left….”
The Continental Divide Trail will be busy with hikers all day and they have the right of way at all times, please be courteous to other trail users.
When the riders join the Continental Divide Trail they again have right of way. This section of the trail is fairly fast and flowing single-track. Again, with this right of way comes the responsibility to KINDLY announce yourself and your intentions. PLEASE allow time for runners to step safely off the trail allowing riders to pass.
Once the summit has been reached and you begin the descent, RUNNERS have the right of way all the way to start finish patio. RIDERS, this means it is your responsibility to control your speed and allow adequate time, space and distance to SAFELY and Comfortably pass runners while descending.
The descent is a mix of remote/rough double track to high speed dirt service road.
There are several sections combining VERY TIGHT CORNERS, with VERY LOOSE GRAVEL!!!
Use caution and pay attention.
All of these trails and roads get very limited activity. Large rocks, large and small logs and branches are common and should be expected.
TEAMS:
Teams of riders and runners may consist of 2-4 members. Each member of your team MUST sign his or her own individual event waiver.
Teams may mix and complete laps in any order they wish. The only rule here is that the team member that starts a lap must complete the entire lap, (no splitting or breaking up a lap).
Teams MUST exchange their bib number at the timing area and the team bib # must be carried on each lap by the racer completely that lap. Your bib must be available to show race staff on course.
Aid:
Aid and support may be handled in either (or both) of two ways.
The patio of the ski lodge/timing area is available (outside only!) for you to leave supplies, crew, family, team members, bikes, etc.
(Please organize and handle your aid as to not interfere with racers moving through the timing lanes, and check-in/check-out tables.)
Additionally you are allowed to leave the course to visit your vehicle or camping area to use as aid/support.
However you do it. It is your responsibility to check-in and check-out of each lap. We don’t care how you do it but we strongly suggest you check-in upon arrival, aid if you are using the deck, then check-out as you leave the deck. If you are going to a vehicle we strongly recommend you check-in, immediately check-out, then go to your vehicle prior to heading back out on course. It is up to you, but if you forget to check-in or out your lap will not count!
Emergency:
Any emergency on course, if you have a cell phone call 911 then Morgan at 303-475-6053 or Mike at 970-398-0612, Then, alert a rider to relay the information to the start/finish line. We are all in this together and keeping each other safe is most important to all of us.
Race Hard, Have Fun, Take a lot of Pictures and enjoy the Fierce Beauty of the Wolf.
TEAM GECKO,
MIKE, KIRSTEN AND MORGAN
]]>Turkey Track is an old mountain classic trail race in its 6th year. Traditionally this is a spectacular 13.1 or 26.2 mile trail run on sweet single track, and with the start at 8,000 feet of altitude you're in for incredible mountain vistas and pristine mountain air as you follow the edges of dynamic canyons and through Ponderosa and Aspen forests. Plus your share of roots, rocks, turkeys and perhaps a little bit of mud! It has mellow elevation gain, less than 1,500’— the ideal early-season layout. Now in 2014 GECKO has added two distances 5k and 10k which is really the perfect transition from a 'road' to a 'trail'.
Besides the scenic trails, there are lots of reasons runners return year after year to this race, here are a long list of 20 GREAT reasons to sign up:
Sign up at www.joingecko.org/xterraturkeytrack
1. The race raises funds for GECKO (www.joingecko.org) a 501c3 Pagosa Springs based charity that aims to get kids off the couch, unplugged and outside!
2. We have a state of the art electronic chip timing system. You'll get accurate results fast.
3. All online entries are guaranteed a limited edition, race branded Coolmax Running Sock.
4. Turkey Track is a race that prides itself on being a memorable day out. The friendly people of Pagosa Springs come out to make it so: aid stations are run by local community groups like the ATV Club Pagosa Trail Riders and the Pagosa Springs High School Cross Country team–the Pirates. They all run like clock work and are always well stock and well briefed.
5. We're iPod friendly if that's your thing.
6. Get points towards the XTERRA Colorado Trail Run Series.
7. Every finisher will get a famous handmade turkey foot adobe medals made by the local elementary school art class.
8. Winners receive handcrafted metal work trophies made by local artist Scott Slind.
9. Top Sponsor XTERRA Partners for on course fuel and great SWAG!
10. Killer after party at The Pagosa Brewing Company to celebrate a great day out.
11. Higher Grounds Coffee will be providing delicious hot coffee pre-race.
12. GECKO has many accommodation partners offering 15% discount to all athletes.
13. So you’re used to your course lead out being on a mountain bike, correct? Well at Turkey Track, ours is a cowboy on a horse. Welcome to Colorado!
14. In 2014 XTERRA Turkey Track has joined American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day which is a nationwide celebration of trails and an opportunity to celebrate our country’s 200,000+ miles of trails by participating in an outdoor event. Please join us on June 7th to unite in the effort to promote healthy living, protect green spaces and reinforce the importance of trails in our community.
15. 5k and 10k distances have been added – take your time, we’ll be out there all day anyway! Hike it or walk it if you can’t run, just have fun!
16. Pagosa Baking Company and DSP Pizzeria are providing delicious baked GECKO goodies at the finish line.
17. Why not take advantage of Pagosa Springs and soak in the Hot Springs afterwards (they are in the Guinness Book of World Records as the deepest!)
18. We don't mind if you run with you best 4-legged pal.
19. This year 5k and 10k distances have been added. If you're waiting for your family or friend to finish the marathon, why not run, jog or hike the 5k!
20. As always this event is included in the Trail Runner Magazine Trophy Series.
Register now at
http://www.joingecko.org/info.asp?uid=343
Turkey Track is a spectacular 13.1 or 26.2 mile trail run on sweet single track, and with the start at 8,000 feet of altitude you're in for incredible mountain vistas and pristine mountain air as you follow the edges of dynamic canyons and through Ponderosa and Aspen forests. Plus your share of roots, rocks, turkeys and perhaps a little bit of mud! This run has mellow elevation gain, less than 1,500’— the ideal early-season layout. It's really the perfect transition from a 'road' to a 'trail' race
This year introducing two new distances 5k and 10k - everyone can be part of the trail action!
Besides the scenic trails, there are lots of reasons runners return year after year to this race, here are lots of great reasons to sign up:
1. The race raises funds for GECKO (www.joingecko.org) a 501c3 Pagosa Springs based charity that aims to get kids off the couch, unplugged and outside!
2. We have a state of the art electronic chip timing system. You'll get accurate results fast.
3. All online entries are guaranteed a limited edition, race branded Coolmax Running Sock.
4. Turkey Track is a race that prides itself on being a memorable day out. The friendly people of Pagosa Springs come out to make it so: aid stations are run by local community groups like the ATV Club Pagosa Trail Riders, the Roller Derby R.I.P team and the Pagosa Springs High School Cross Country team–the Pirates. They all run like clock work and are always well stock and well briefed.
5. We're iPod and Pet friendly if that's your thing.
6. Now part of the XTERRA Colorado Trail Run Series this year 5k and 10k distance have been added. As always this event is included in the Trail Runner Magazine Trophy Series.
7. Every finisher will get a famous handmade turkey foot adobe medal, made by the local elementary school art class.
8. Winners receive handcrafted metal work trophies made by local artist Scott Slind
9. Top Sponsor XTERRA Partners for on course fuel and great SWAG!
10. Killer after party at The Pagosa Brewing Company to celebrate a great day out.
11. Why not take advantage of Pagosa Springs and soak in the Hot Springs afterwards (they are in the Guinness Book of World Records as the deepest!)
12. GECKO has many accommodation partners offering 15% discount to all athlete
13. So you’re used to your course lead out being on a mountain bike, correct? Well at Turkey Track, ours is a cowboy on a horse. Welcome to Colorado!
14. In 2014 XTERRA Turkey Track has joined American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day which is a nationwide celebration of trails and an opportunity to celebrate our country’s 200,000+ miles of trails by participating in an outdoor event. Please join us on June 7th to unite in the effort to promote healthy living, protect green spaces and reinforce the importance of trails in our community.
15. 5k and 10k distances have been added – take your time, we’ll be out there all day anyway! Hike it or walk it if you can’t run, just have fun!
]]>
Congratulations and safe & happy travels to the five 2014 NOLS scholars.
2014 Scholars & NOLS Course
Deja Chappell Wind River Wilderness
Angette Pastuszek Alaska Backpacking
Jessey Hampton Baja Coastal Sailing
Davin Hanley Wind River Wilderness
Heidi Williams Alaska Backpacking and Sea Kayaking
Look out for them at the GECKO races this summer and ask them about their trip!
Thank you to YOU for giving them this life-changing opportunity.
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GECKO has finalized the 2014 Events Calendar. Which one will we see you at?!
As a friend of GECKO please help us spread the word about our cool races, or even better participate, sponsor or volunteer. It's for a great cause!
There are lots of new exciting races and distances this year, plus all the old favorites.
There’s more information on the website at www.joingecko.org or contact or contact Race Director Mike Le Roux on 970 398 0612, email or info@joingecko.org.
Here is an overview of the 2014 GECKO Events Calendar:
Sat May 24th. 10am
Chow Down Doggy Dash & Dawdle 3k & 5k (City Market precinct)
Register on the day
Sat June 7th. 8am
XTERRA Turkey Track Trail Marathon, ½ marathon, 10k, 5k all on scenic 100% single track (Turkey Springs)
Fri July 4th. 8am
Star Spangled Shuffle 3k & 5k (Town Hall/Community Center Car Park precinct)
Register on the day
Sat July 19th. 8am
8 hour of Wolf Creek Mountain Bike & Trail Run (Wolf Creek Ski Area)
Registration details to be confirmed
Sat August 2nd. 9am
XTERRA Pagosa Springs Off-Road Triathlon 1.5km swim/16 mile bike/6.2 mile trail run (Sullenberger Reservoir, Cloudcap Avenue)
Sun August 3rd. 9am
The PLOW Pagosa Lakes Open Water Swim Challenge 1 mile and ½ mile swim (Sullenberger Reservoir, Cloudcap Avenue)
Sat August 23rd. 630am
Devil Mountain Ultra 50k and 50miles – One hell of a run! Followed by Bonfire, Camping and a Pancake breakfast (Turkey Springs)
Sat August 23rd. 12pm
Demons of Dust 5k, 10k & ½ marathon trail hike/run (Turkey Springs)
Sun September 7th. 7am
Rocky Mountain High-est (Leadville, Co Road Marathon and Half Marathon)
Sat September 27th. 830am
Mountain Chile Cha Cha Festival 5k, 10k, ½ marathon on downtown trails, followed by a free concert and Green Chile cook off (Town Park, Hermosa Str)
Sat December 6th. 10am
Sweaty Santa 3k & 5k Fun Run/Walk (Ross Aragon Community Center)
Register on the day
]]>Thinking about racing the Epic Mountain Challenge this year? This is what athletes that raced had to say about their experience.
"One helluva weekend of racing-vacation" Joseph Gray
“The Epic Mountain Challenge was a very well executed event last year, bringing together some of the best mountain bikers in the country and a few international stars. “ Josiah Middaugh
“A challenging and competitive event with a fun, family-friendly atmosphere.” Travis Macy
“I left the EPIC Mountain Challenge feeling as though I was part of a new family. Incredible group of participants with plenty of time to make new friends, extremely genuine and organized promoters/volunteers, enormous/equal prize money, and an "epic" ;) course layout. Looking forward the EMC 2014 more then any other event this year. “ Heidi Rentz
"This was one of the greatest races I did. Not only was the half marathon course challenging yet exciting (I was the runner), but the camaraderie among not only teammates, but also other teams was wonderful and special. Everyone was cheering for everyone, regardless of what team they were on. The anticipation of waiting for results and rankings made every minute of the weekend thrilling, yet nerve racking. Everything about the race and weekend was something I had a hard time leaving.” Stevie Kremer
"Ben (Allen) and I always look to challenge our abilities both mentally and physically. The Epic Mountain challenge offered us a unique opportunity to go beyond our limitations in trail running and mountain biking. We discovered a new pain and mental toughness we had never encountered before and the competition was second to none racing against world class multi-sport athletes all champions in their own fields of XTERRA, trail running and mountain biking. Set in the stunning town of Pagosa Springs The Epic Mountain challenge catered well for all athletes and offered a wonderful friendly atmosphere through out the whole weekend. Ben and I had a blast, learnt a lot and will be back next year for sure!" Jacqui Slack
“The Epic Mountain Challenge lived up to its name. As it was truly Epic. I have never seen some many top quality athletes so thoroughly destroyed by a race and yet loving every minute.” Joshua Merrick
"Epic Mountain Challenge is a unique multi-sport stage race, in spectacular surroundings. Make a weekend of it - small town feel with big heart and a lot of adventure on offer." Dan Hugo
“I have such great memories from the Epic Mountain Challenge weekend! A highlight of 2013 for sure, can't wait for 2014!” Emma Garrard
]]>This September 7th athletes around the world will have a new highest road marathon and half marathon to add to the extreme sports bucket list: The inaugural Rocky Mountain High-est!
Starting and finishing in the historic town of Leadville, Co. at the breath taking elevation of 10,152’ the race runs an incredibly scenic paved route along the bases of several of Colorado’s 14,000’ peaks.
The town of Leadville is no stranger to iconic athletic events, having hosted the Leadville Race Series, including trail 100 mountain bike and trail 100 running events, for decades. The Rocky Mountain High-est Road Marathon and Half Marathon will round out Leadville’s annual offering with an early Fall race, coinciding with the changing of the leaves, and cementing the cache as a premier racing destination for both trail and road runners.
The race is presented and staged by GECKO (Give Every Child Knowledge of the Outdoors) a 501(c)(3) non profit created by passionate ultra endurance athlete Morgan Murri, who is a 5 time Leadville trail marathon, 4 time Leadville trail 100 run and 5 time Leadville trail 100 mile bike finisher including a 2013 podium place for his race on a single speed. “My love for the community of Leadville is tied to more than 20 years of racing and training in the town and making friendships and achieving accomplishments that have shaped my life. Our desire with this event is to offer that experience and share the amazing history and beauty of this community with a broader range of athletes. The challenge of this event is simply focused on the altitude. The accomplishment comes in completing the race while enjoying all the beauty here, in both the local people and the scenery. Even if it means you are little cross-eyed as you view it!” Says Murri.
Murri has teamed up with Australian Mike Le Roux as Race Director to stage world-class events, which Murri started in his hometown of Pagosa Springs Colorado, in 2008. Le Roux brings a wealth of experience to the mix, including his own racing background, having won the 2010 Ultraman World Championships and currently holding the record for 100 miles on trails in Australia. Le Roux and Murri have been working tirelessly with the town of Leadville and Lake County to create a route that will inspire runners from all over the world. The Rocky Mountain High-est skirts Turquoise Lake and winds through the bowl beneath the 14ers of the Sawatch mountain range. The course is mostly flat with some gentle climbs and plenty of downhill.
In addition to the race, GECKO will continue its charitable work of “paying it forward” and getting kids "unplugged, off the couch and outside.” Rocky Mountain High-est will include a kid’s only free fun race. Additionally Murri is liaising with Leadville schools for local applications for GECKO scholarships. To this end GECKO has also worked closely with long time friend and local Leadville businesswoman, Donna Chapman, to ensure that the race reflects the community and their needs. Chapman, an entrepreneur with interests in several Leadville businesses including City on a Hill Coffee & Espresso, Leadville Outdoors, Leadville Running Company and Two Guns Distillery, commented “I am elated to have the opportunity to partner with a quality organization like GECKO and excited to showcase Leadville to a new running demographic. Leadville Outdoors and Leadville Running Company are aligned with Morgan and Mike’s passion of giving back to the community and children. I have witnessed, through participating and spectating, Morgan’s team seamlessly execute top-notch events in Pagosa Springs. GECKO’s events are motivating, challenging, fun, organized, and provide recurring benefit to the community. “
Registration for the event is currently open at www.joingecko.org. All GECKO events are listed here.
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Here are the overall results for the Epic Mountain Festival
EPIC MOUNTAIN CHALLENGE
EPIC Solo – Men
1/2 MARATHON MOUNTAIN BIKE XC 10k MTB TT Overall
1st: Josiah Middaugh 1:29:38.959 1:18:17.061 0:35:57.445 0:08:27.051 3:32:20.516
2nd: Howard Grotts 1:31:07.658 1:16:58.634 0:37:50.692 0:08:16.426 3:34:13.410
3rd: Brian Smith 1:31:30.533 1:21:31.522 0:36:00.764 0:08:46.186 3:37:49.005
4th: Jason Donald 1:28:38.744 1:25:58.110 0:35:32.309 0:08:52.533 3:39:01.696
5th: Bradley Weiss (South Africa) 1:33:56.298 1:23:11.759 0:38:18.689 0:09:03.162 3:44:29.908
Epic Solo – Female
1/2 MARATHON MOUNTAIN BIKE XC 10k MTB TT Overall
1st: Emma Garrard 1:44:55.833 1:33:00.281 0:41:06.914 0:10:26.335 4:09:29.363
2nd: Heidi Rentz 1:47:21.489 1:33:16.894 0:43:42.268 0:10:59.445 4:15:20.096
3rd: Shonny Vanlandingham 1:47:54.305 1:38:45.623 0:43:42.628 0:10:56.682 4:21:19.238
4th: Renata Bucher (Switzerland) 1:53:24.174 1:33:42.223 0:44:52.695 0:10:41.496 4:22:40.588
5th: Fabiola Corona (Mexico) 1:52:44.455 1:40:14.996 0:43:18.912 0:11:14.424 4:27:32.787
Epic Duo – Open Team
(Runner & Biker) 1/2 MARATHON MOUNTAIN BIKE XC 10k MTB TT Overall
1st: Joseph Gray & Russell Finsterwald 1:21:41.013 1:15:42.261 0:32:22.954 0:08:24.854 3:18:11.082
2nd: Mcdonard Ondara (Kenya) & Michael McCalla 1:21:37.833 1:20:11.348 0:32:01.302 0:08:39.489 3:22:29.972
3rd: Jared Scott & Bryan Alders 1:25:29.735 1:17:04.159 0:34:15.553 0:08:45.977 3:25:35.424
4th: Sylvan Ellefson & Taylor Sheldon 1:30:03.084 1:17:33.237 0:35:33.478 0:08:30.354 3:31:40.153
5th: Greg Krause & Mike Friedberg 1:33:35.857 1:17:18.002 0:36:46.475 0:08:48.438 3:36:28.772
Epic Duo – Female Team
(Runner & Biker) 1/2 MARATHON MOUNTAIN BIKE XC 10k MTB TT Overall
1st: Lindsay Krause & Megan Carrington 1:46:31.562 1:30:11.323 0:41:03.183 0:10:12.663 4:07:58.731
2nd: Rachel Viele & Gretchen Reeves 1:46:38.052 1:30:55.823 0:40:36.779 0:10:24.426 4:08:35.080
3rd: Stevie Kremer & Sarah Stubbe 1:39:09.015 1:49:36.299 0:38:41.746 0:13:03.299 4:20:30.359
4th: Flora Duffy & Courtenay Brown 1:58:38.449 1:33:26.523 0:43:10.114 0:10:47.325 4:26:02.411
5th: Jaime Brede and Marlee Dixon 1:57:16.547 1:35:12.852 0:45:08.482 0:11:19.732 4:28:57.613
Individual events:
Trail Half Marathon
Overall Male winner: Mcdonard Ondara (Open Team) 1 hour 21 minutes
Overall Female winner: Stevie Kramer (Female Team) 1 hour 39 minutes
The Hub Hammer 20 mile Cross Country Mountain Bike
Overall Male winner: Russell Finsterwald (Open Team) 1 hour 15 minutes
Overall Female winner: Megan Carrington (Female Team) 1 hour 30 minutes
10km Road Running Criterion
Overall Male winner: McDonard Ondara (Open Team) 32 minutes 01 seconds
Overall Female winner: Stevie Kramer (Female Team) 38 minutes 41 seconds
Rez D’Huez 3k Uphill Mountain Bike Time Trial
Overall Male winner: Howard Grotts (Epic Solo) 8 minutes 16 seconds
Overall Female winner: Megan Carrington (Female Team) 10 minutes 12 seconds
Hello Epic Mountain Challengers Team GECKO is looking forward to meeting each and every one of you this weekend for the Epic Mountain Challenge EPIC = Mountain[Run+Ride]2 Here is some important information pertaining to the race and the weekend. Please read this carefully. Supplemental information is on the website at www.joingecko.org/epic Bib / Packet Pick up for Solo and Team Event athletes BIB / Packet Pick up will be held on Friday, October 4th at our host venue the Springs Resort & Spa (EcoLux Conference Room) from 4pm to 7pm. Access is via the rear car park and entrance into the new Springs Resort building. ID will be required for pick up. Late registrations will be allowed at this time. Online registrations close tonight at midnight (Weds 2nd Oct). THERE WILL BE NO PACKET PICK UP OR REGISTRATION ON THE MORNING OF THE RACE. Friends and family will be able to register for the individual events (half-marathon on trails, XC 20 mile Mtb race and 10k road run – 7 hot laps) on the day of the event as well as on Friday night. Only online entries are guaranteed a swag-filled race bag. Epic Schedule of Events Please refer to the link below for a detailed listing and schedule of events. There is plenty of entertainment for Friends, Family & Supports so please share the link with them. http://www.joingecko.org/info.asp?uid=340 Dinners, Breakfast, Awards, Elite Q&A and all entertainment are listed on this schedule. Here is a map of the event https://mapsengine.google.com/map/viewer?mid=z3Ugv3xojKss.k0Um1LGElF7c Join us for Meals – compliments of GECKO and the Pagosa Springs Restaurant Community You are your guests are invited to complimentary meals throughout the weekend, including Dinners (Friday and Saturday) in the Big Top and complimentary Breakfast (Saturday and Sunday). Our local restaurants has joined together to cater the whole weekend for you, and we’d love to have you all join us for meals. Please let your guests and supporters know that they are welcome to attend with you and share the Epic action. We will post the delicious menu to Facebook shortly. Beer will be on sale on Saturday and Sunday, and an aid station for athletes (thanks Clif Company!) will be located in the B OK Corral all weekend, with plenty of goodies to help you rejuvenate. Refer to the Epic schedule for times http://www.joingecko.org/info.asp?uid=340 Social Media – Live action updates Follow the Epic Action Live! Thanks to Crushwave Design & Ideavise we will have live updates on Twitter and Facebook throughout the weekend. We have recently started our social media feeds for Epic Mountain Challenge and we will be posting important updates, so make sure you Like and Follow us there. JoinGECKO Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/GECKO/324829909101 * Epic Mountain Challenge Facebook https://www.facebook.com/EpicRunRide2?ref=hl @joinGECKO @EpicRunRide2 Use the Hashtag #EpicRR2 Directions & Parking If you’re not staying with our host accommodation The Springs Resort & Spa, follow Hot Springs Boulevard from Highway 160 to The Springs Resort & Spa. Designated car parking will be via the rear access to The Springs Resort & Spa car parking area. Course Maps Course maps can be found at: Stage 1 Bull & Bar 1/2 Marathon Trail Race http://connect.garmin.com/activity/373280065 Stage-2. The HUB Hammer XC MTB Race 19.5 Miles http://connect.garmin.com/activity/373280019 Stage-3. EPIC Criterium 10k Road Run https://mapsengine.google.com/map/viewer?mid=z3Ugv3xojKss.kD0_FG8aNWDA&hl=en Stage-4. Rez D’Huez Mountain Bike Time Trial http://connect.garmin.com/activity/384202717 Event map https://mapsengine.google.com/map/viewer?mid=z3Ugv3xojKss.k0Um1LGElF7c Weather Forecast The most accurate weather updates can be found at http://www.wunderground.com/US/CO/Pagosa_Springs.html. At this stage, Saturday s forecast is looking at a High of 52F and Lo of 28F. Please come prepared for all weather and cold conditions in the morning and evening. In the mountains the weather can change quickly and without warning. In the meantime please send me an email if you have any questions mike@joingecko.org Rest up, travel safe and get ready for one Epic Weekend! Mike Le Roux Race Director |
EPIC MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL
Pagosa Springs, CO
Friday October 4th
6pm Ribbon Cutting
745pm Elite Parade - Introduction of the expert athletes and their racing
history. Race briefings and course information
Saturday October 5th
9am Bull & Bar half marathon on trails
930am B OK Corral and Epic Expo Opens (closes at 5pm)
10am Coors Beer Garden Opens (closes at 830pm)
10am Cheer the Elites as they start to come through the Finish line on Hot Springs Boulevard
10am Huffy Toss (ends 12noon)
12noon Pagosa Disc Golf Club Putting Contest
1pm IMBA Epic Kid’s Ride (16 yrs & under) meet at The Hub Expo Tent
(ends 2pm) Bring your Mountain Bike or Strider/Balance bike (Free)
2pm Pagosa Disc Golf Club Long Drive Contest
3pm The Hub Hammer Cross Country 20 mile Mountain Bike
4pm Ski & Bow Rack Slackline demonstration
415pm Cheer the Elites as they start to come through the Finish line on Hot
Springs Boulevard
630pm EPIC Awards Ceremony and Day’s Racing Review,
Interim Results and Photos/Video of the day. Elite Q&A
730pm Music by DJ 21
Sunday October 6th
9am Hot Springs Hot Laps 10k (7 laps of the River Walk)
930am B OK Corral and Epic Expo Opens (closes at 2pm)
10am Coors Beer Garden Opens (closes at 5pm)
930am Cheer the Elites as they start to come through the Finish line on Hot Springs Boulevard
10am Huffy Toss (ends 12noon)
1130am Ski & Bow Rack Slackline demonstration
1230pm Rez D’Huez Mountain Bike Time Trial on Reservoir Hill
2pm Free outdoor concert with Tim Sullivan and the Narrow Gauge Band
330pm EPIC Awards Ceremony and Awarding of the $60,000 Cash Purse
5pm EPIC Mountain Challenge Closes
Fabiola Corona is 33 years old and hails from Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, where the Tequila and Mariachi were born.
To the end of 2012 Fabiola has raced in 262 races with188 podiums including 47 international races.
This is her story:
"Since I was born I remember the sport and competition was in my veins, instead of playing dolls in the Street, I was playing at the park with kids (football) and running all around. At school I was a member of all the teams sports.
I graduated with a degree in Communication but I don´t know what it means to do regular work, because my job had always been racing Triathlons, XTERRAs, Adventure Races, Road bikes, Mountain bikes etc.
My other facet is television programs and reality shows. Winning is my motivation. I have been in 5 TV programs like: Fear Factor 2004 (I won) and Wipeout 2011 (I won it too).
My Highlights (Top 10) in sports:
1. Gold Medal in Central American Games. Triathlon (2006) Cartagena, Colombia.
2. 7º place in Panamerican Games. Triathlon (2007) Río de Janerio, Brasil.
3. First Mexican Woman to qualify for Olympics Games in triathlon (2008) Beijing, China.
4. Silver medal World Championship Duathlon Green Cup (2009) Costa Rica.
5. Gold medal Panamerican Championship Triathlon Cross (2010) Peru.
6. 8º place World Championship Triathlon Cross ITU (2011) Spain.
7. Bronze medal Iberoamerican Champiosnship Duatlhlon Cross ITU (2011) Spain.
8. 4º place World Championship 70.3 Vegas (2011) age group 30-34
9. 16º place World Championship IRONMAN Kona (2011) age group 30-34
10. 13º place World Championship XTERRA Maui (2011) Elite
In 2000 I began with adventure races (my passion) I raced at Eco Challenge Fiji 2002, then I discover triathlon in 2002. 2004 I start racing MTB (nationals), 2005 XTERRAS, 2006-7-8 focus on triathlon and ITU races. 2011 began with long distances: 70.3 & IRONMAN. 2013 finally SPARTAN RACES in México!
I have race only 2 Spartans: The Super in Valle de Bravo (1º Place) 2,700 mts altitude and The Azteca Stadium Sprint (1º Place). Now I am training for the WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP in Vermont (The Beast). "
As part of the first annual Epic Mountain Festival GECKO and The Hub Bike Shop are partnering for IMBA's National Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day at The Springs Resort & Spa in downtown Pagosa Springs: October 5th at 1pm. Meet at the Hub booth in the Expo area at 1245pm.
Bring the kids, bring the parents, everyone is welcome to come out and share your passion for pedaling with the kids! Kids 16 and younger will have an opportunity to be part of the EPIC action and meet some of the big names in Mountain Biking and XTERRA racing. Rides will vary by skill level and will be on dirt and single track trails so helmets are required.
The Hub Bike Shop will be able to supply some bikes for those who need them, but please bring your bike if you have one. Have a toddler with a Strider bike? Bring them out for a fun time of riding with other toddlers their age! Please contact Stephen Durham at 970-444-2238 for more information, if you need a bike or if you would like to volunteer.
It's exciting to read the names in the daily entries for the Epic Mountain Challenge as anticipation builds for the $60,000 Cash Prize Purse. But in reality it's anyone's game - there's no separate PRO division, anyone can race for the prize money.
Here's a few names you may recognize - all specialists in their fields of Mountain Biking, XTERRA, Trail Running, Mountain Running and Triathlon.
SOLO MEN: Josiah Middaugh; Travis Macy; Jason Michalak; Jorge Mendiola - Mexico; Tate Behning; Dan Hugo - South Africa, Bradley Weiss - South Africa & Ben Allen - Australia
SOLO WOMEN: Fabiola Corona - Mexico; Heidi Rentz; Shonny Vanlandingham; Emma Garrard; Danielle Ballengee; Renata Bucher - Switzerland & Jacqui Slack - Great Britain
TEAM OPEN: Joe Gray/Russell Finsterwald; Michael MaCalla/Macdonard Ondara and Jared Scott/Bryan Alders
TEAM WOMEN: Stevie Kremer/Sarah Stubbe; Lindsay Krause/Megan Carrington & Gretchen Reeves/Rachel Viele
Categories and Prizes
SOLO Men |
Enter and compete in all four events. Lowest cumulative time wins. |
1st to 5th place each receive: $5,000 down to $1,000 |
TEAM |
Divide the four events between you in any combination. Lowest cumulative time wins. |
1st to 5th placed team each receives: $5,000 down to $1,000 |
INDIVIDUAL |
Male or Female Age Group 39 and Under or Masters 40+ |
1st to 5th. Sponsor Prize Packs Finisher awards to all |
See you on the 5-6th October, Pagosa Springs CO Register at joingecko.org/epic
Check out the Epic Schedule: http://www.joingecko.com/uploads/gecko_epic_mt_r06.pdf
Josiah Middaugh is a top favorite to take home the Epic title
]]>Despite a rainy, damp week leading up to the event, Sunday Sept 15th was a pearler of a day for the inaugural XTERRA Pagosa Springs. Not too hot, not too cold, just right. It was fun to be part of history in the making - there'll never be another first XTERRA Pagosa Springs. First ever swim in Lake Pagosa (or any of the lakes for that matter!); first ever XTERRA and first ever off-road triathlon!
We are proud to share that we had a professional photographer at XTERRA Pagosa Springs, snapping happy action shots of you all day!
Read follow up stories in the media: Pagosa Springs Sun
http://www.pagosasun.com/pros-battle-it-out-at-xterra-pagosa-springs/
http://www.pagosasun.com/cards-of-thanks-40/
Winners are Grinners:
Honors for the top spot was a dual between Jason Michalak of Crested Butte and Joshua Merrick of Alamosa, Jason taking it out the win 6 minutes ahead of Joshua in a combined time of 2 hours 11 minutes. Pete Mech and Logan Ot both from Durango, took out the top team spot in 2 hours 25 minutes and Shonny Vanlandingham crushed the women's field in 2 hours 27 minutes.
Medals and Trophies made by local artists Tessie Garcia and Scott Slind were awarded to finishers and winners!
Thanks to Rydin Decal http://www.rydindecal.com/ and First SouthWest Bank athletes that enter the Epic Mountain Challenge before 9am Monday 23rd Sept will receive Personalized Race bibs for the event.
We believe this will be a great event memento for athletes and will also engage the spectators on the course who will will be able to cheer the athletes on personally and will also see where they have come from.
Online registration for the Epic Mountain Challenge, Pagosa Springs CO 5-6th Oct is at http://www.joingecko.org/info.asp?uid=346 Sign up as a Solo, Team or for any of the individual events and be part of the EPIC action.
It's a great incentive to get in early next year - mark your calendars Columbus Day weekend in October!
Pagosa Springs Colorado is an authentic mountain town with sprawling ranches and cowboys in every corner. It's fitting then that the area’s premiere country and western band: Tim Sullivan & Narrow Gauge, a permanent fixture at Parelli Ranch in the summer, is going to be closing the EPIC Mountain Challenge with a free concert from 2pm onwards on Sunday 6th October at the Hot Springs Resort & Spa, until the Awards presentation following the final race event mid afternoon.
Tim Sullivan has appeared on stage with such well-known artists as Vince Gill, Willie Nelson, Alan Jackson, Glen Campbell, and Tammy Wynette. He has won a Songwriter of the Year award in Massachusetts for his song “Dance In The Rain,” and is featured on the soundtrack of a new motion picture, “Follow Me Outside”. An entertainer and songwriter who has performed from Los Angeles to Manhattan, Epic Mountain Challenge is proud to have Tim and his band as a fitting part of our event.
Mason is at least 6ft something in his socks: tall, athletic, the school cross country captain and the perfect contender for a NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School) course that traverses the wilds of Alaska with a Pack Raft. Two weeks after Mason was awarded the GECKO scholarship he collapsed with breathing problems. Doctors found he had a condition where blisters formed on his lungs with the danger of bursting, at which point his lung would deflate and collapse. When it happened again a month later he was taken in for invasive surgery where about 30 blisters on his left lung and 100 on his right were sealed closed.
With only a couple of months to go to the NOLS course Mason's health, fitness and ability to join the trip were in question. Showing grit and determination he rallied and was packed off to Alaska in late July.
No stranger to overcoming hardships Mason has had a challenging childhood. The eldest of 5 siblings from a merging of two families Mason has felt a great sense of responsibility for being there for them. He flipped between families with disastrous results and admits to feeling somewhat detached and lost from his sense of family prior to NOLS. This - interestingly - was his biggest outtake from the 28 days in the wild, his changed perspective on home and family and what that means to him.
"Some of the other kids on my NOLS course were already in College and so they were used to being away from home. I was surprised how homesick I was, for home comforts like my bed and a warm shower, and all the conveniences but also for my family. Before NOLS I couldn't wait to move out and go to college but now I feel like I have to make the most of the time I have left and I appreciate it so much more."
Mason chose the Pack Rafting and Back Packing tour of Alaska because he'd never done that before and wanted the experience. A pack raft is a 5ft raft that deflates into part of your backpack, allowing you to travel over land and rivers or lakes without stopping. He said that even though he was still recovering from his operation when he left for NOLS he wasn't worried about his fitness. He has a natural athletic ability and he knew he would quickly get his form back. So it was a shock to him to find just how hard the trip was, and not just from a fitness level but just the way the expedition threw him so far from his comfort zone.
"When we arrived at NOLS they explained to us that this really would be an 'expedition'. NOLS was taking us on a new course of Wrangle State Alias that no-one at NOLS has ever done before, it's very remote and isolated and it was truly going to be a test of survival for us and it was scary."
The expedition took them 255 miles around a glacier called Mt Wrangle and over the 28 days they pack rafted 115 miles and hiked 140 miles. Mason says 'it was surreal, I touched an iceberg everyday, I saw a glacier everyday, I also found myself on a 45 degree slope on a goat track that was as wide as my foot, it was terrifying. Every morning we would say to our NOLS instructors; Where are we going today? What's the terrain like? How tough is it? And they'd reply, we don't know! At first I was so freaked out by the unknown of it all, but then I got used to just accepting it and living each day as it came. They (the NOLS instructors) were like, don't think about home, or tomorrow or yesterday just think about what you're doing now and what you need to do to get through it."
There were some amazing highlights for Mason on the trip such as the wildlife he saw (including three grizzlies!) but a really low point was when he flipped his raft and wasn't able to get back into it, resulting in him getting frigid ice water in his dry suit. It was also the day before they were due to meet their food drop and they had run out of food. "They made me a fire on the river side and I had to dry out my clothes, I have never been so cold or hungry or miserable in my life, I really wanted to be at home. But then the next day we were laughing about it and I felt like I had a great story to tell."
Now that Mason's home and on dry land again, back in a routine of school, work and cross country I asked him, how does he feel?
"I think I work harder now, because nothing is a tough as what I did, like that was survival and this is just easy. I feel that I have a better attitude to things like my work, home, my job. NOLS gave me a new perspective on a lot really. It's made me want to be great, not mediocre, and it inspired me to want to achieve more, and showed me that I could. I want to make something of myself. I want to be a doctor, I want to focus on college, I know what I want to write in my college application now about what's important to me.
NOLS is really, really hard. I think only people that have done a NOLS trip will know what I mean. I feel like if I can survive living in the wilderness for 28 days then surely I can do well in school, do well in my job...Every night around the camp fire the instructors asked each of us - today what was your 'rose' and what was your 'thorn'? I feel like I can take each day and good and the bad from it, learn from it, and move on."
Interview: Kirsten Le Roux
Thanks to Mason for his candid, honest account of his NOLS expedition and thank you to everyone who contributed to the scholarship fun to all GECKO to facilitate this!
We are proud to share that we had a professional photographer at the Cha Cha, snapping happy action shots of you all day! Thanks to Trent Bona Photography, we've posted 1650 photos of the Kid's Fun Race, your Race, the Awards Ceremony and the Cha Cha Festival on our Facebook page. LIKE the page, check out the Albums, Tag yourself and your friends and share the love! Trent has kindly allowed YOU to use YOUR photos for Facebook for FREE (You Rock Trent) but if you did want a high resolution version or print (without logos etc) Trent has a very user friendly gallery webpage here and very reasonable prices. You can also get the photos on mugs, magnets, mouse mats - virtually anything in fact...Take a look at TrentBona.com Results A full list of RESULTS can be found on our website here. Here are the highlights: The 5km was won by Pagosan Connie Chubbuck in 28m50 and fourteen year old Lucas Curry 23m22 from New Mexico; the 10km by Nicole DeMarco 45m48 and JD Kurz 43m53 , and the Half Marathon was won by husband and wife Steven 1h39m19 and Catherine Fenster 1h39m53 from Durango who crossed the line second apart. Medals and Trophies made by local artists Tessie Garcia and Scott Slind were awarded to finishers and winners
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1. Proceeds from the race goes to GECKO (www.joingecko.org) a 501c3 Pagosa Springs based charity that raises money to get kids off the couch, unplugged and outside!
Race 50 technical kilometers on a mountain bike. Run a hilly half marathon on trails. Hammer uphill in a mountain biking time trial. Turn on the leg speed for a 10 kilometer road run. Sound like a challenging summer of endurance racing?
Participants in the Epic Mountain Challenge, a multi-sport festival in Pagosa Springs, CO on October 5th and 6th, will accomplish all of the above--in just two days. The brutal mountain race will punish even the most prepared athletes, and a big purse of $60,000 is drawing some of the nation’s top endurance athletes. Male and female competitors will race as individuals and teams in the first-year event that hopes to become a mainstay on the endurance racing circuit.
“Four all-out races in two days mean that recovery is crucial,” says prolific endurance athlete and coach Travis Macy, of Evergreen, CO. “I’ll rely heavily on Vitargo S2 drink mix and Hoka One One shoes to make sure my body is ready for the next event.” Macy is coming off a win and new record at the prestigious Leadman, which involves running and biking 284.2 miles around Leadville, CO, as part of the Leadville Race Series, but he doesn’t think he’s the favorite. “ Josiah Middaugh is definitely the guy to beat. He is incredibly strong, especially in the mountains on the bike, and there’s a reason he’s one of the best XTERRA triathletes in the world. The Team Teenek Racing athletes from Mexico will also be very tough.”
Middaugh, who is a trainer and coach with Dogma Athletica, has raced very well in 2013, with solid XTERRA results and a win over Macy in the GoPro Mountain Games Ultimate Mountain Challenge, which uses a two-day, four-race format similar to the Epic Mountain Challenge. “This race is a true test of endurance, and it’s perfectly suited for mountain athletes, including trail runners, mountain bikers, and off-road multisport athletes,” says the Vail, CO strong-man, who is rarely bested in the mountains in summer or winter.
In the women’s field, Tokyo Joe’s athlete Gretchen Reeves will battle Luna Pro Team racer Shonny Vanlandingham, among others.
Athletes also have the option of racing in two-person teams, with each athlete completing two of the four races, and competition in this category will be sharp as well. One favorite duo includes Trek Factory Team rider Russell Flinsterwald and pro runner Joe Gray. Says Flinsterwald, “I've never done a relay style race so it should be fun! I think my partner, Joseph Gray, and I will bring a lot to the table. We are both coming off our World Championships and hope to carry that form all the way to the finish line in Pagosa Springs.”
Weekend warriors will toe the line with the pros at the race, just one example of the family/community-oriented nature of the event. One family, the Krauses of Littleton, CO, will trade off time with their daughter as Greg, a pro rider with Team Groove Subaru-Alpha, competes as a mountain biker on a male team and Lindsay runs with a female team. “This is an awesome event for the whole family, and we are excited to see Pagosa’s fall color,” says Greg.
Epic Mountain Challenge information and registration are at www.epicmountainchallenge.com.
Photo credit: Jan DePuy
Photo caption: Travis Macy, seen here fueling up at the Leadville Trail 100 Run in August, looks forward to racing against Josiah Middaugh and others at the Epic Mountain Challenge in Pagosa Springs, CO on October 5th and 6th.
The Mountain Chile Cha Cha Festival celebrates trail running, combining our incredible in-town trails with the famous Pagosa Springs music and green chile festival. Celebrate the series, the season, trail running and getting kids outside on Pagosa's killer downtown trail course. Beautiful, challenging and remote, all right downtown. In it's 8th year it has some remarkable characters and traditions. Here's the story of Hey Bro Chile!
Hey Bro Green Chile celebrates their third anniversary this summer. With news from Hatch that the crop will be ready to harvest in early August, Hey Bro’s Andy Warden surveys his homemade chile roaster for any necessary maintenance.
“It all started because of the Patty Aragon Green Chile Cook Off that takes place in Pagosa Springs at the end of the summer. Everyone was eager to make green chile and eat chiles, and there weren’t any roasters available for on-site roasting at the event. I decided to make my own roaster to fill this need.”
“People love to hang out and watch while Andy runs the roaster” says Hey Bro’s female counterpart and wife, Cory Warden. “Everyone loves fire and flames, and the aroma that escapes from the roasted chiles is intoxicating. I always say I wish I could bottle that smell so I could enjoy it all year long.”
“I like selling the chiles” Hey Bro’s third partner and nine year old son Theo remarks. “My job is to help my mom with bagging the fresh, hot roasted peppers and helping with sales. I like eating them too, especially the first batch that is roasted with bacon to help season the roaster.”
“It’s definitely a labor of love” chuckles Andy from under the bandana he wears to keep the hot fumes from burning his nose and mouth. “We love using green chiles in our cooking, as do many of our friends. One friend buys our chiles to make his own chile beer. By roasting a few days in the summer we provide green chiles to many of our friends, other green chile enthusiasts, and stock our freezer too.”
Visit Hey Bro Green Chile at the Mountain Chile Cha Cha on Saturday, August 24th in Town Park, Downtown Pagosa Springs to purchase delicious, fresh roasted Hatch green chiles. Or call 970-946-4219 to pre-order bushels.
To enter your green chile (meat, vegetarian or people's choice) in the Patty Aragon Chile Cookoff click here.