Colorado running

Northern Colorado

• Boulder: Boulder is a runner's town. (And a hiker's town. And a mountain-biker's town... Basically if you enjoy the outdoors, Boulder is your kind of place.)

  

  Proof Boulder loves runners:
  homage to Kara Goucher on the main street in Boulder.

  For route ideas, BoulderRunning.com has an extensive list of local trails, or check in with the Boulder Trail Runners or the Boulder Trail Running Breakfast Club Meetup for current trail conditions and the inside scoop on local favorites.



Plenty of trails for hiking or trail running in Boulder!



Flatirons. Great trails - just watch out for bears!

• Denver: If you're going to be in Denver you have plenty of options for urban and trail running.



Birds-eye view of downtown Denver.

• In the city the sidewalks are wide and runner-friendly if you're interested in an urban run. Run The Planet has plenty of suggestions in and around downtown. I particularly enjoyed running near Union Station and Coors Field. The 16th Street Mall is good for a sight-seeing run, but gets a bit crowded. If you're looking for more of a workout, head to the river.
• The South Platte River Trail and Mary Carter Greenway Trail also offer plenty of out-and-back running opportunities covering dozens of miles along the Platte River.
• About 10 miles (less than a 30 minute drive) from downtown Denver, the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge feels much farther away. The wilderness area, which today includes man-made lakes, offers roads and trails where runners can watch deer and eagles, and may catch a glimpse of prairie dogs or coyotes.



One of the lakes in the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge.

• Fort Collins: Fort Collins has more than half a dozen trails in a addition to plenty of pretty urban running. The Poudre River Trail covers a little bit of everything in just a few miles. Trail access points are in close proximity to major arterial roads and the trail itself winds for 10 miles along the wooded Poudre River, along a golf course, and past some industrial areas.

Along the Poudre River Trail in Fort Collins

The deer take advantage of green golf courses in Fort Collins.

Southern Colorado

• Colorado Springs: Check in with the Pikes Peak Road Runners for local info.
• Pueblo: Contact the Southern Colorado Runners for information.

Other Colorado Running Resources:

• Colorado Runner magazine
• List of Colorado running clubs from Running in the USA
• and more Colorado Running Links

Are you involved in a Colorado running group, or do you have a favorite running route that is not listed here? Send me the info and I'll consider adding it to the list.