Pagosa Springs get a NEW Triathlon - GECKO style!

 

Team GECKO is swim/bike/run & JUMPING for JOY at the announcement of our first triathlon ever: XTERRA PAGOSA SPRINGS – to be held on September 15th 2013 as part of the 2014 XTERRA America Tour Championships.

XTERRA Pagosa Springs will be 1km (1000m) swim/ 18.5 mile off-road bike/ 6.9mile trail run
Be the first to race the inaugural XTERRA Pagosa Springs, and we guarantee you'll be back every year! Set in the authentic mountain town of Pagosa Springs, at the base of the majestic San Juan mountains, you'll start with a wetsuit swim in the crystal clear mountain water of the pristine Lake Pagosa, from there we've chosen the best of our trails for the bike and run legs. You'll traverse the edges of narrow rim canyons with incredible vistas and mountain views. It's mostly fast flowing single track but you'll need to be on your game as there is a couple of technical sections. The winding trail system works you through spectacular Ponderosa and Aspen forest, which makes it rooty and rocky underfoot - you'll earn your rest at the finishing party!

We need your help to make this event AWESOME – just come and do it! Register now HERE and spread the word!

All GECKO events raise money to fund scholarships that help get teenagers unplugged, off the couch, outdoors and connected with nature. It changes their lives in a meaningful way forever. To find out how you can help, or to donate visit www.joingecko.org  

REGISTRATION opened for four GECKO events

 

Registration is now open for FOUR of the 2013 GECKO-sponored events.  There are race descriptions and an easy registration on our website NOW. Click here.

You'll notice that an old favorite – the Turkey Track Trail Run is now an XTERRA event and part of the Colorado Trail Running Series. The great news is that we'll have lots of support from their sponsors both on course and in swag.

Pagosa Springs, Colorado is at 7,200' of Altitude – which means that all our races are above 7,200' of Altitude!  Which means…they're spectacularly beautiful, quite challenging, and great for training for other events. In honor of this, we have made all our race entry pricing a denomination of 7,200 cents (or something like that)!

GECKO has BIG Plans for 2013, new races, new faces, new events  – so if you want to hear it first, subscribe to our newsletter on the bottom right hand corner of our home page here.

Event Quick View:

June 15th. XTERRA Turkey Track Trail Marathon and 1Ž2 marathon

August 24th. Mountain Chile Cha Cha Festival 5k, 10k, half marathon on trails, followed by a free concert and chile festival

September 28st. Devil Mountain Ultra 50k, 50m and 1/2 marathon – One hell of a run! Followed by Bonfire, camping and a pancake breakfast.

October 11-13th . EPIC Mountain Challenge 2 day 4 stage EPIC run/ride format, teams and solos, $60,000 pot o' gold prize purse. Hot Springs soak.
Spread the word – and look forward to seeing you out there on the trails.

Kirsten Le Roux
P: +1 (970) 398 0613
Marketing, Media & Promotions
Volunteer Coordinator
GECKO, Athletes@Altitude
W: joingecko.org
Twitter: @joinGECKO
Facebook.com/joinGECKO

$5,000 Scholarships up for Grabs ACT NOW

Applications for 2013 NOLS Scholarships are still being accepted but you have to act now!

Our deadline is February 13th. 
Scholarships available are focused on Juniors in High School but mature Sophomores would be
considered. If you or someone you know qualifies and would benefit from 30 days in the wild 
learning leadership and outdoor skills from the best in the business head over to our Scholarship
page and download an application.
In addition to the application we need a letter from you expressing why you should be selected and 
what you hope to gain from your trip as well as a letter of recommendation from one of your teachers.
Visit www.nols.edu to learn more about the trips available and what NOLS can do for you!

Sincerely,

Morgan Murri
Founder, GECKO

2012 Scholarship Recipients!

Congratulations to Kaeden Fisher, Ali Calvillo, Siena Gumbiner and Moses Huck the 2012
GECKO, NOLS Scholarship recipients.

These students exemplified what GECKO is all about... A dream to make a difference
in the world, a desire to become leaders and further understand the natural world around
them. Ali and Moses are Pagosa Springs High School students and Kaeden and Siena
are from Durango High School.

It is important for GECKO to expand our awareness and when we reviewed the applications
from Siena and Kaeden and then met with them we felt very strongly as the board of directors
and selection committee that these two students would represent GECKO and Durango extremely
well. And indeed they did!

One of the more exciting aspects of the scholarship process is working with the students to determine
the best possible NOLS trip for them to take on. We encourage the students to get out of their comfort
zone and select a trip and an environment that will truly challenge them. Certainly these four stepped
up to the challenge this year.

Kaeden chose to spend 30 days in the Windriver mountain range of Wyoming, Ali spent a month on a
sea kayaking and sailing trip off the coast of Washinington, Siena spent a month in the wilds of Alaska
and Moses took a whitewater trip through Utah. Four amazing students and four incredible trips of a
lifetime.

Stay tuned for letters from these students sharing their individual experiences and adventures soon!

Morgan Murri
Founder, GEKO

DEVIL MOUNTAIN ULTRA Rock'd

Harvest moon, bonfire, hundreds of athletes, friends and families and 50 miles of EPIC trail ensured 

that the 2012 Devil Mountain Ultra was a very special event. 

A new course record in the 50 mile, a better harder, more challenging trail at the tail end of the 50K
and an all new 1/2 marathon route were just a few of the day's highlights! 
And, as always (and a great refection of what GECKO is all about) some young kid made his mark on the race. 
11 year old Blaze forged alone along the 1/2 marathon route and finished a strong 2nd place in the under 19 category.
Why was he alone in the woods? Simple. Both his parents were hammering it out on the 50 mile course! Is that cool or what? 
While most kids would stay home with friends or a sitter and play video games Blaze grabbed his water bottle, lined up and conquered 13.1 miles of tough, challenging terrain. Nice!

A fitting end to a fine day.

Thank you all for coming out for "One Hell of a Run!"

Sincerely,

Morgan

Mountain Chile Cha Cha!

GECKO's Mountain Chile Cha Cha Trail run, free concert and Chile festival are just days away!

Come join us in Pagosa Springs to celebrate trail running, getting kids outside and the annual 
Chile harvest all right down town in the heart of Pagosa Springs!

Trail Runs are 5k, 10k or 1/2 marathon and showcase Reservoir Hill and the private property of 
the Levine family.... Epic trails right down town. Finisher awards and cool race shirts for all!
(See the events page for all the details and registration).

The after party rocks with cold beer from Coors serving up Dos Equis and Tecate and live music
by Nosotros!

The weather forecast is ideal and the event is always a blast!

See you soon!

Morgan

From Heart attack to GECKO supporter...

After suffering a heart attack Steve vowed to change his life and now he
is using that focus to support GECKO. In his own way Steve learned what it means to "Get off the couch and get outside". After years of taking it easy his heart attack was a wake-up call to get back to fitness and the outdoors. Losing more than 65 lbs Steve has transitioned from a rider to a fiend! He is transformed and ready to test himself (and support GECKO) with a 170 mile ride across Florida! Please help support Steve and support GECKO on this monumental undertaking.
To read more and to make a donation please go here