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Colorado > The Better 1/2 Half Marathon & 5-Mile
Run
Gateway, CO
Date
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Event
Details
Featuring a point-to-point course that follows scenic Highway 141 along
the Dolores River Valley in the western edge of Colorado's canyon
country, Gateway Canyons' The Better 1/2 Half Marathon and Five-Mile
Run offers both an smaller-size race field and some of the most
spectacular views you'll find along any half-marathon race course in
the country. Runners will trek along the highway between wind-swept
canyon walls colored with every shade of red and earth tone as they
make their way north from the starting line 13.1 miles south of Gateway
Canyons resort all the way up through
the canyons and along the river back to the resort area.
Run entirely on paved surfaces -- in contrast to the area's summertime 4th of
July Half Marathon & 5K,
which is run mostly on dirt roads -- the Better Half takes runners from
the starting line near Blue Creek Canyon and runs north, up through
Cottonwood Canyon, Larsen Canyon and Cave Canyon, staying
on Highway 141 throughout. Runners should expect a number of rolling
hills along the course, though no major changes in elevation -- the
race starts at about 4,700 feet above sea level and ends at about 4,550
feet above sea level.
Along the way, runners may encounter cars occasionally along the
highway, as the road will remain open to traffic during the race --
though organizers add that the highway usually experiences little
traffic -- so runners are asked to run in single file during the race,
especially whenever they
approach oncoming traffic. There are also occasional cattle guards
along the course, which will be covered with rubber mats during the
race.
One of Colorado's smaller road race events, the Better 1/2 saw just
under 85 runners cross the finish line in both races combined at the
event's 2008 running, with 73 runners participating in the half
marathon.
Race
Weather & Climate
Nestled among the gorgeous red rock canyons of westernmost Colorado,
just a few miles from the border with Utah and nearly a two-hour drive
south from Grand Junction, Gateway typically experiences chilly to mild
weather conditions in the spring, and relatively low precipitation
year-round. In March, average monthly temperatures range between
59°F and 34°F, while precipitation amounts average
around 1.17 inches for the month.
Fees
$40 for the half marathon, if registered by March 7, 2010
$50 after March 7
Registration
To reserve your spot in the spring 2010 running of Gateway Canyon's The
Better 1/2 Half Marathon & 5K, register online at Active.com.
Website
www.gatewaycanyons.com
Course Map
Share
Your Race Story
Ever run in Gateway's annual "The Better 1/2" Half Marathon or 5K?
Share
your impressions and read fellow runners' stories
and tips for the event.
Post your comments in Runner Reviews for The Better Half
Marathon
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