The Denver area, which has seen a series of marathons come and go, will try it again next spring.
The Colorado Colfax Marathon, scheduled for May 21, 2006, will begin at the Aurora Sports Park and end at the Colorado Mills mall in Lakewood. About 23 miles of the 26.2-mile course will be run on Colfax Avenue, with short diversions into the Fitzsimmons area and City Park.
The race was created by a partnership of the cities of Aurora, Denver and Lakewood. Details of the effort to create the marathon leaked out in November, but mayors of the participating cities made an official announcement Wednesday. The Denver Post and Rocky Mountain News will be the title sponsors.
“I think this is a great opportunity to display the cooperation that’s already there between Aurora, Denver and Lakewood, and it’s a great way to involve the community, businesses, homeowner’s associations and schools,” Lakewood Mayor Steve Burkholder said. “I think it’s going to be a great event.”
With an overall elevation gain of 280 feet, the course will be difficult. It descends gently from Aurora to downtown Denver, then climbs about 500 feet over the last 8 miles.
“There’s a huge elevation gain,” Burkholder said. “It will be quite a challenge.”
For less ambitious runners, there will be a half-marathon beginning in City Park. A 1-mile race for kids will take place at Colorado Mills in conjunction with a health and fitness expo.
Proceeds from the events will be used to support organizations that promote fitness, health education, good nutrition and obesity prevention.
John Meyer can be reached at 303-820-1616 or jmeyer@denverpost.com.
