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Colorado > Turquoise Lake Half Marathon
Leadville, CO
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Date
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Event
Details
Locals accustomed to the altitude high in the Rockies in this part of
central Colorado ought to have an easier
time than those traveling in for the annual running of Leadville's
Turquoise Lake Half Marathon, which takes runners on a loop course
around the lake by the same name that lies just west of town and is run
at an elevation that reaches as high as 10,700 feet above sea level,
and never drops below about 9,600 feet above sea level.
Runners start the race at the Matchless Boat Ramp along the edge of
Turquoise Lake, which they reach on the morning of the race by
traveling west from Leadville on County Road 4, also known as Turquoise
Lake Road. From the starting line at the boat ramp, the course winds
its way along the shores of the lake to make a complete loop around its
brilliant blue waters, along a combination of paved county roads (which
make up about 7 1/2 miles of the race) as well as natural dirt
single-track trails (which make up the remaining 5 1/2 miles of the
route).
The race route through the National Forest lands that surround the lake
offer some of the area's most gorgeous scenic views, of both the peaks
of the Rockies off in the distance as well as the thickly forested
hills and trails surrounding the lake. Runners can expect to encounter
plenty of roots, rocks and some steep uphill and downhill stretches
along the course (particulary in the race's first few miles), as well
as spots where you'll cross a few streams.
Challenging thanks to both its altitude and the terrain, the race more
than makes up for it with the natural beauty of the surroundings, past
participants say. The race's proceeds benefit the Leadville Lake County
Sports Hall of Fame, and the weekend's race events also include the
Fish Hatchery 5K on the Saturday preceding the race, which takes place
along the forest roads and trails near the Leadville National Fish
Hatchery. All runners who are pre-registered for the Turquoise Lake
Half can run in the Fish Hatchery 5K for free.
Race
Weather & Climate
Nestled among the Rocky Mountains of central Colorado, just over 100
miles west of Denver, the town of Leadville typically experiences mild
to only occasionally warm weather in the late weeks of spring and early
days of summer, and usually relatively dry weather except in July and
August, the area's wettest months of the year on average. In June, the
city's average monthly temperatures range between 67°F and
34°F, while precipitation totals average just under an inch for
the month.
Fees
$28.25 for the half marathon
Registration
Registration for the summer 2009 running of Leadville's Turquoise Lake
Half Marathon is now closed, as the event has completed. Please check
back later for updated information on how to sign up for the 2010
running of the race.
Website
www.active.com
Course
Area Map
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Share
Your Race Story
Ever run in Colorado's annual Turquoise Lake Half Marathon?
Share
your impressions and read fellow runners' stories
and tips for the event.
Post your comments in Runner Reviews for the Turquoise Lake Half
Marathon
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