You’ll need to be acclimated to high-elevation running if you’re thinking of signing up for Colorado’s Run the Rockies Half Marathon or Road 10K, which certainly lives up to its name, as Frisco lies at an elevation above 9,000 feet high in the Rocky Mountains, just to the west of Denver.
The course for the weekend’s events — the race includes both a half-marathon and a 10K for runners and walkers — takes runners over both paved surfaces and dirt mountain bike trails, with breathtaking views of the peaks and valleys surrounding the town.
The race begins in Copper Mountain south of Frisco, and takes participants northward along Interstate 70 to Frisco. Fully 75 percent of the race is along downhill runs, which eases the challenge of running in the mountains.