A popular “rust-buster” for Front Range runners, the Runnin’ of the Green 7K, kicks off the road racing season Sunday in LoDo.
Organizers of the race, which benefits the Volunteers of America, expect about 4,000 participants.
“The last 10 years, it’s been the thing,” said local race organizer Creigh Kelley of BKB Ltd. “It’s just fun. People show up because, quite frankly: green beer, St. Patrick’s Day celebration.”
The race is a critical fundraiser for the Volunteers of America, which operates a host of programs for people in need, from Head Start for preschoolers to Meals on Wheels for the elderly.
Two marathons will debut in 2006. The inaugural Post-News Colorado Colfax Marathon, which follows Colfax Avenue from Aurora to the Colorado Mills shopping center in Lakewood, will be held May 21.
The new Denver Marathon, scheduled for Oct. 15, will begin in front of the state capitol and finish in Civic Center Park.
Other upcoming races include the Platte River Trail Half Marathon (April 2), the Go Metro State 5K (April 9), the Cherry Creek Sneak 5-miler (April 30), the Colorado Marathon (formerly known as the Fort Collins Old Town Marathon, May 7) and the Bolder Boulder 10K (May 29).
The Bolder Boulder’s 10-week training club program begins March 20. Training groups based on goal pace are organized for runners aiming to run anywhere from sub-40 minutes to those just trying to break the hour mark. The registration fee of $139 includes an interactive online fitness journal, a high-tech T-shirt, weekly workout schedules and weekly group runs.
Runners curious about the program can attend an orientation expo Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the South Boulder Recreation Center. Information: www.bolderboulder.com.
