I had full plans to run the Vasque Golden Leaf Half Marathon, named by Trail Runner as one of “America’s 14 most scenic races”, which gains 970 feet in elevation on a narrow, winding singletrack before peaking out at 9,400 feet above sea level … but then I ran the Aspen Valley Half Marathon in June and hated my life and decided that as beautiful, scenic, and foliage-filled as the race may be, no way in hell was I running it. Or walking it.
- Golden Leaf Marathon pic courtesy of Aspen Rec. Also, I have those Under Armour shorts. At least I think they’re the same. If not, I want the ones she has.
However, should YOU want to run, the 31st run will be Saturday, September 25 beginning at 8:30am in Snowmass Village, heading up Fanny Hill to continue along the Government Trail, finishing in Aspen. Finishers are cheered on at the finish line at Koch Park in Aspen.
Golden Leaf Half Marathon, aspenrecreation.com, 970.429.2093
On a related note, should you be reading from or traveling to NYC any time soon, The Fresh Air Fund is looking for runners and sponsors to join their Fresh Air Fund-Racers team for the NYC Marathon on November 7th. Over the past four years the NY Road Runners charity partner for the NYC Half-Marathon’s 325 Fund-Racers have raised close to $400,000 for The Fresh Air Fund!
More info? freshair.org/racers