Saturday, June 11, 2016 • Glenwood Springs, CO • Course Map
Set for its second annual running as spring is giving way to summer in 2016, the Mountain to Valley Half Marathon offers stunning Colorado scenery and, as its name suggests, a downhill run from the mountains of the Roaring Fork River Valley into the lower terrain of Glenwood Springs, where runners cross the finish line in Glenwood Park.
Runners in the half marathon will begin their race — the event also includes a 4-miler and a 1/2-mile race for kids — along North Thompson Creek Road, high up in the mountains of the area known as Spring Gulch, where the starting line lies at an elevation of about 7,810 feet above sea level.
From there, it’s an almost all-downhill race from start to finish, as Highway 108 gives way to turns on Dry Park Road, 4 Mile Road, Mount Sopris Drive and finally the last turn into Glenwood Park, on Sopris Street.
In addition to the gorgeous mountain scenery — you’re likely to see plenty of snow-capped Rocky Mountain peaks and plenty of runners can expect fast times as they descend to an elevation of about 5,932 feet by the time they reach the finish line, for a drop of nearly 2,000 feet over the course of the race’s 13.1 miles.
By the time you reach the finish line in Glenwood Springs — the small Colorado city nestled in the valley between the Colorado and Roaring Fork Rivers, whose original name was “Defiance” and which has hosted famous visitors from Teddy Roosevelt to Doc Holliday — you’ll have spent the first few miles of the race on paved road, with most of the rest on hard-packed dirt roads.
There will be aid stations stocked with water, sports drinks and medical supplies at roughly every 3 to 4 miles of the race, and runners will have 2 hours and 45 minutes to complete the half marathon — all courses will close by 10:45 AM, organizers note.
The race is part of Colorado’s annual Downhill Half Marathon Series, and is considered one of the state’s fastest races.
Race Weather & Climate
Nestled in the Roaring Fork River Valley of western Colorado, roughly 160 miles west of Denver, Glenwood Springs typically sees some of its mildest weather of the year in June, which has brought record temperatures here as low as 27ºF (in 1973) and as high as 102ºF (in 1954).
On race day (June 11), the average low is 44ºF and the average high is 82ºF.
Course Map
See the race route map of the Mountain to Valley Half Marathon here.
Starting Time
8:00 AM
Fees
See race website
Registration
To reserve your spot in the 2016 running of Glenwood Springs’ Mountain to Valley Half Marathon, 4-mile or 1/2-mile race, register online at Active.com here.
Official Race Website
Facebook Conversations
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