Sporting a new name and an exciting new course, the Mancos Half Marathon – formerly the Cowboy Half Marathon – promises to be a fun and varied event for all.
This year’s race will be held June 25 and is a fundraiser for the Mancos Public Library,
Organized by a top-notch committee of local volunteers, the race will have some new things to offer so that everyone in the family can participate.
“The new loop course offers varied terrain and spectacular views of Mesa Verde and the La Plata Mountains,” said Shaine Gans, co-director of this year’s event. “We have added a 5K distance and a fun run in addition to the half marathon distance which offers many more opportunities for members of the community to participate.”
The race was originally organized and sponsored by the Mancos Project under the direction of Ben Hahn, who has since returned to one of his other passions as a fly fishing guide.
The Mancos Project, now called TrainMancos, still operates as a high altitude training program focusing on peak performance through nutrition and care of both the body and mind.
Mancos resident and event board member Annette Mullikin ran the race two years ago when it was an out-and-back course.
“The new course is very interesting with a mix of dirt roads, trail and paved county road and will include some private land, Deer Hill Expeditions property and some Bureau of Land Management areas,” Mullikin said. “It will have some beautiful views over the Mancos Valley; I think the best part will be the varying terrain and beauty while running.”
In addition to a large local contingent of runners, the event has had runners come from as far away as Indiana and North Carolina.
“We are excited to grow this event into an annual signature fundraiser that benefits the Mancos Public Library” Gans said. “Having a more general brand will also allow us the freedom to choose different themes in subsequent years.”
The prizes this year are awesome with a free pair of Solomon running shoes for the overall male and female winners and additional prizes from Durango Running Company, Millwood Junction Restaurant, Osprey Packs and more.
According to Runner’s World magazine, more than 2 million runners completed a half marathon distance race in 2014, making it the fastest growing distance in the sport, second only to the 5K distance.
The half marathon is a great running distance, just long enough that you can’t race it off the couch, but if you train seriously it will reward you and won’t beat you up like a full marathon can.
The Four Corners community is keeping pace with this growing trend by continually offering new and different half marathon races annually.
Over the course of the 2016 season, there are currently five local races offering that distance; The Durango Half Marathon, Steamworks Half Marathon, the Mancos Half Marathon, the Thirsty Thirteen and the Durango Double. The Steamworks Half is this Saturday.
For more information and to register for the Mancos Half Marathon, visit their web page at mancoshalfmarathon.com.
Reach Marjorie Brinton at runswim55@gmail.com.
