Top 5 Active Steamboat Events - for the Weekend Warrior

Steamboat's Running Series has 13 events

1. Steamboat Springs Running Series - Ongoing May-September

Have running shoes, will travel. Colorado’s largest running series hosts events on weekends from May through September.  A wide-variety of events and distances means there is something for virtually every runner type.

The shortest race? A 40 yard dash down the Main Street before the Fourth of July parade. The longest? A 50-miler, Run Rabbit Run. The first half of the series is primarily on the road, and then the remainder are all trail runs taking advantage of the area’s coveted trail systems and scenic bounty.

Visit their website, www.runningseries.com, for more information.

Tour de Steamboat features 3 beautiful routes

2. Tour de Steamboat - Saturday, July 17

This non-competitive road ride was revived in 2005 from a previous version, both presented by local bicycle manufacturer, Kent Eriksen.  There are three routes depending on your level of fitness or interest.

“The Classic Tour de Steamboat” ride is 110 (or so) miles that takes you over both Rabbit Ears Pass and Gore Pass. This ride is fully supported with 5 aid stations throughout the route. The “Stagecoach” route is a 40-mile out-and-back 40 ride to Stagecoach Reservoir with one aid station at the turnaround point. New this year is the “Sidney Peak Ranch” 25-ride. This is the shortest, most level route taking you south on quiet, pristine county roads through the private Sidney Peak Ranch. All rides start and end in downtown Steamboat Springs at 12th and Yampa Streets. Event proceeds benefit The Sunshine Kids.

Visit their website, www.tourdesteamboat.com, for more information.

LiveSTRONG Ride is August 8

3. LIVESTRONG STEAMBOAT Ride 4 Yellow - Sunday, August 8

New this year, The Livestrong ride is a mountain bike event raising money and awareness for cancer. Lance Armstrong’s LIVESTRONG Foundation sponsors events around the country, this event marks the first event  in Colorado and is a benefit ride for both the Lance Armstrong Foundation and locally.

Choose one of two courses: The signature Divide Ride, still open for registration, is an epic 26 mile ride on pristine singletrack across the Continental Divide. The second ride option spins across the cross country trails within the Steamboat ski area.

A complete list of participation costs, donation requirements, sponsor levels, courses as well as event registration is provided through their website, www.ride4yellow.com.

4. Steamboat Triathlon - Sunday, August 29th

The Steamboat Triathlon starts and ends at picturesque Lake Catamount. This event attracts both local athletes and weekend warriors from around the state for whom one activity a day is not enough. Those who do not “tri” can still try the Steamboat Triathlon. Sign up as a team and choose your pleasure: The 3/4-mile swim in Lake Catamount. A 22.4-mile bike ride on paved roads from Lake Catamount to downtown Steamboat Springs and back. Or a 4-mile run on the dirt roads around Lake Catamount.  Don’t sweat the elevation, Lake Catamount is 6500 and the course peaks at the bike course turnaround at 6,969. You’ll be hard pressed to find a more beautiful course!

Visit their website, www.steamboattriathlon.com, for more information.

Stage racing is back in Colorado!

5. Steamboat Springs Stage Race - Labor Day Weekend, September 3-6

Last year this event made its debut and blew both participants and spectators away. It has been a long time since Colorado has seen a stage race, and many agreed, the Steamboat Springs Stage Race beckoned memories of the Coors Classic.

The four stages include a Friday time-trial, Saturday Circuit race, Sunday Road Race and Monday Criterium. This is an American Cycling Association sanctioned event and have a total of 9 fields racing. Even if you are not ready for competition, experience the spectacle curbside!

Visit their website, www.bikesteamboat.com, for more information.