The Georgetown to Idaho Springs Half Marathon, one of Colorado’s oldest and most popular road races, might not involve Georgetown next year.
When some 2,500 runners compete in the 27th edition of the 13.1-mile race Saturday, the starting line will be in its usual place adjacent to Georgetown Lake. But because of a commercial development being planned at that location, the starting line will have to move next year.
Race organizers are negotiating with the Colorado Historical Society and Railstar, the company that operates the Georgetown Loop Railroad, in hopes of beginning next year’s race in Georgetown near the historic loop. That would have the benefit of eliminating a short uphill segment through Georgetown neighborhoods that annoys runners in the course’s current configuration.
If negotiations are unsuccessful, however, the race start might be moved to nearby Empire.
“I hope we can keep it in Georgetown,” co-race director Deb Jensen said. “Georgetown started a tradition for us so many years ago, and I would be so disheartened if we couldn’t keep it there. I think it would be best for the runners and it would be best for the community if we could keep it in Georgetown.”
The race, which begins at an elevation of 8,500 feet in Georgetown and finishes on the Clear Creek High School football field at 7,500 feet, has long been one of the most beloved races on the Colorado road running scene. It began in 1979 – the year the Bolder Boulder was created.
Incredibly, the race was run uphill from Idaho Springs to Georgetown the first year.
In the early years, the race benefited the Easter Seals Handicamp in Georgetown. For most of its run, it has benefited the Clear Creek Booster Club in its efforts to help students at Clear Creek High School and Clear Creek Middle School. Students work aid stations on the race course, which follows frontage roads.
Despite paralleling Interstate 70, runners seldom hear highway traffic because Clear Creek serves as a buffer between the highway and the frontage road most of the way. Runners are more apt to notice fly-fishermen casting for trout than automobile noise.
“Clear Creek County is a great run,” co-race director Einar Jensen said. “It’s a great valley. You’re running from the seat of the silver rush down to the seat of the gold rush. You’re running through the history of Colorado as you’re running from Georgetown to Idaho Springs. And it’s just plain gorgeous.”
John Meyer can be reached at 303-820-1616 or jmeyer@denverpost.com.
