A premiere local mountain bike race has proved to be a significant charity force for community youth organizations.
Twelve Hours of Mesa Verde attracts riders from across the country, and its registration fees and funding from sponsorships are donated toward good causes. The 2012 race brought in a record $43,000.
"It's pretty exciting, it is the most we have ever been able to give in one year," said Dani Gregory, race organizer.
The race started as a cross country race in 2003, but in 2007 it switched to an endurance relay race. Hundreds of racers compete solo or as teams to test their stamina at the Phil's World mountain bike trail system east of Cortez.
Each Mother's Day weekend individual racers and teams complete a 16-mile loop course throughout the 12 hours on a network of singletrack in the shadow of Mesa Verde.
The race course twists and turns through juniper trees, intermittent technical sections, roller-coaster terrain, and fast descents.
The smooth, fast singletrack and challenging race is a proven hit. The first race in 2007 saw 94 riders, and registration grew to a record 900 riders last year.
Ten board members determine beneficiaries for money raised from sponsorships and registration fees.
This year the Piñon Project received $15,050, Southwest Open School $8,600, The Child Advocacy Center $15,050, The Children's Kiva $860, and the Southwest Colorado Youth Coalition $2,580.
"I don't think people realize how much we are able to actually give back to the local organizations and charities that we choose to benefit," Gregory said.
Last year, the group gave away $25,000. In total, 12 hours of Mesa Verde has given away $140,000 in the last seven years, she said.
The organization is 100 percent run by volunteers. Numerous hours are contributed by a dedicated contingent of race fans and bicycle enthusiasts.
"We don't even have one paid staffer, and we have a small budget to run the race," Gregory said.
The race is just about at capacity, so registration income won't grow much because organizers want to keep the costs for participants within the current range.
"Hopefully, we will be able to continue to get sponsors to be able to give back at this level," Gregory said.
Board member JimBob Wynes said, "It has become a real destination event. It really floods the area with racers and all of their support people."
