Not only is running one of the best ways to explore a new city, but choosing a race in a new city is the perfect excuse to travel and compete in a new environment, demographic and state. Run Seattle Run traveled to Denver for the Colfax Half Marathon, part of the Kaiser Permanente Colfax Marathon series, which featured a weekend of races along Colfax Avenue, Downtown Denver and Colfax Avenue. Known as the ultimate urban tour, the Kaiser Permanente Colfax Marathon race courses paraded through the Mile High Stadium, the Denver Zoo, Colfax Avenue, the Denver Fire Department, three bodies of water and various Denver neighborhoods.
Colfax Marathon course map
Colfax Half Marathon course map
Although Run Seattle Run was born and raised in Colorado, the training for the Colfax Half Marathon took place at sea level, in Seattle. Running 13.1 miles on the West Coast is not the same as running 13.1 miles in the Mile High City. The half marathon race waves began at 7 a.m. on a Sunday morning, under a partly cloudy sky.
Thousands of runners lined up in their respective corrals, awaiting their turn to take off through the City Park and ultimately, the city of Denver. The excitement in the air was contagious, as participants readjusted their race bibs, attire and head phones, inching toward the start line as one running wave.
The first three miles of the half marathon wound leisurely through the City Park and Denver Zoo, where participants had the opportunity to see many animals, who eyed race participants from the confines of their exhibits. Flamingos, rhinos, donkeys, camels, geese and monkeys cheered race participants through the one-mile stretch of zoo, before continuing onto East Montview Boulevard.
When you're running 13.1 miles, the first 3.1 (5K) seem quite effortless and easy. Many runners make the mistake of starting too fast because of this phenomenon and burning out later in the race. It's important to save a little "oomph" for the the remaining 10 miles.
Kaiser Permanente Colfax Half Marathon race bib
True to its name and description, the rest of the race featured mostly urban icons and highlights, like the Denver Fire Department in Aurora near Mile 8, where participants actually run through the fire station, and a decent stretch of Colfax Avenue, one of the longest streets in the United States.
Near Mile 11, race participants were greeted by shirtless firemen, presumably from the fire station that the course ran through a few miles earlier. Although some degree of fatigue was setting it at this time, stopping was not an option with two miles to go and the City Park in sight. A medal, refreshments, photos and a beer garden awaited participants' arrivals at the finish line.
Finishing in a time of 1:52:09, the Colfax Half Marathon was a success for Run Seattle Run, preceded and followed by an enjoyable Colorado weekend. This race is highly recommend for anybody seeking a fairly flat road race at altitude, urban sights and sounds and a whole lot of Colorado fun. Consider the Kaiser Permanente Colfax Marathon series in 2014: Date and time TBD!
Images courtesy of The Denver Post/Helen H. Richardson, Colfax Marathon and Heather Koski
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