|
|
Colorado > Rock Canyon Half Marathon
Pueblo,
CO
addthis
Date
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Event
Details
Roughly 300 to 400 runners come out every year to take part in the
wintertime running of Pueblo's Rock Canyon Half Marathon, now a 22-year
tradition in what has long been known as Colorado's "Second City"
behind the metropolis of Denver and also as "Steel City," for its
economic importance as one of the largest steel-producing cities in the
country. The 13.1-mile race offers runners plenty of beautiful
southwestern scenery, as it begins in an urban park setting and much of
its course follows the winding Arkansas River that cuts through the
heart of the city, and features a combination of paved roads, dirt
roads and biking and walking trails for running surfaces.
From the starting line at Pueblo City Park, located on Goodnight Avenue
near the city's downtown area, the out-and-back race first makes two
loops around the city park before heading out onto Goodnight Avenue and
then Collins Avenue, where the course then makes a turn onto the trail
surface. Runners then cross over the bridge that straddles the Arkansas
River to its northern bank, and follow West 8th Street until it meets
again with the bike trails, joining up again with the paved roads along
Honor Farm Road.
After a couple of miles along the road, the course
turns again to trail surfaces just before runners reach Pueblo State
Park, where they turn off the road and run the trails that snake along
the river's edge all the way into the park to the Pueblo Dam. Inside
the park, the course crosses two more bridges and takes runners over
the Pueblo Reservoir Access Road, which begins the return route all the
way back to the city park for the finish.
Most of the course is flat, race organizers say, as it winds along the
river and through the parks, with the exception of a single steep hill
near the end of the race, at the 12-mile marker as runners are heading
back into Pueblo City Park. The race -- which is run no matter the
weather, in rain or shine or snow -- starts at 9:00 AM, and is open to
runners only.
Race
Weather & Climate
Located in the southern central part of the state, about 45 miles south
of Colorado Springs and about 118 miles south of Denver, the city of
Pueblo typically experiences quite cold weather conditions but
generally little to no snow around the time of the race, a contrast
from much of the rest of the area, which can see plentiful snow this
time of year. In December, average monthly temperatures range between
49°F and 18°F, while precipitation amounts average
around 0.39 inches for the month.
Fees
2008 fees:
$25 if registered by December 2, 2008
$30 after Dec. 2
$35 on the day of the race
Registration
Registration is not yet available for the winter 2009 running of
Pueblo's Rock Canyon
Half Marathon. Please check back for updated information on how to sign
up for this race.
Website
www.socorunners.org
Course Map
View
Larger Map
Share
Your Race Story
Ever run in Pueblo's annual Rock Canyon Half Marathon?
Share
your impressions and read fellow runners' stories
and tips for the event.
Post your comments in Runner Reviews for the Rock Canyon Half Marathon
|
|
|
