PRESS
‘Awesome Course’ Hosts Saturday’s Ouray Trail Run Ouray County Watch - October 1, 2009


OURAY – Challenge yourself to a 13.9-mile loop run and contribute to regional youth outdoor education programs this weekend. The second annual Ouray Trail Run takes place Saturday, Oct. 3 on the trails above Ouray, but it’s not your average jog in the park.

Comparable in difficulty to the Imogene Pass Run between Ouray and Telluride, the Ouray Trail Run circumnavigates the City of Ouray using the Silvershield, Ice Park and Portland trails. With the unsurpassed views of Ouray and the surrounding fall foliage, this year’s run will no doubt prove to be one of Colorado’s most beautiful fall events.

“The course is unbelievably beautiful,” race Director Erin Eddy said in an interview on Tuesday. “This has to be one of the most scenic runs in the state because of its timing. The course is just awesome and it is a great race.”

Participants are reminded that the course follows steep and rugged, single-track trails in the high altitude terrain, with a base elevation of 7,700 feet. The course gains over 3,600 vertical feet and includes many steep and loose sections. Another factor participants should keep in mind is the unpredictable fall weather of the San Juan Mountains, which can range from mild and sunny to cold and snowy in a matter of minutes. Ultimately, runners are responsible for their own safety and are expected to use good judgment with regards to their ability to complete the race.

The course will be marked with flagging, cones and signs, and a number of volunteer course marshals will be strategically located to keep runners headed in the right direction.

Eddy said that last year’s inaugural event raised approximately $2,000 for local outdoor education programs, including the San Juan Riding Program, the Ouray Cross County Team, and the Ridgway and Ouray schools’ outdoor education programs. He hopes to raise even more for those programs this year.

“This race is all about getting kids outdoors,” Eddy said.

The $50 race entry fee includes an official race T-shirt, aid-station refreshments, and a post-race barbecue. Prizes, custom made by Ouray glassblower Sam Rushing, will be awarded for overall male and female winners as well as male and female age group winners. Door prizes at the post-race awards ceremony will include Osprey packs, arm warmers, socks and shirts from Sugoi, a sport band for an iPod, and gaiters by JoeTrailMan. Race participants will automatically be entered to win prizes, but they must be present at the ceremony to win.

Race registration will occur on Friday at the Ouray Hot Springs Pool between 5 and 7 p.m., or on race day, between 8 and 9:30 a.m. The race starts and ends at the pool, and has a 10 a.m. start time.

Stick around town after the race for some much-deserved relaxation and revelry at the Ouray Oktoberfest and 45th Annual Jeep Raffle. Popular Bavarian band, The Austrian Connection, will perform, and there will be kids’ activities and costume contests with cash prizes. Traditional German food such as brats, potato cakes, apple sauce and German chocolate cake are on the menu, as well as Colorado Boy brews and wine. Call the Ouray Chamber for additional information at 800/228-1876.

The Ouray Trail Run is a 501(c)4 corporation and all race proceeds go directly to local outdoor youth recreational programs and local youth recreational clubs. For more information, go to www.ouraytrailrun.com.


Ouray County Plaindealer - November 16, 2007
New running event in works for fall '08

October in Ouray means Oktoberfest, but for those wanting something a bit more physical than downing beer and brats, a local group is planning an event just for you.

The inaugural Ouray Mountain Trail Run, tentatively set to go on Oct. 4, 2008, is a 13-plus mile loop through and around Ouray that organizers hope will add to the community celebration, boost the local economy, and support youth activities.

"We are very excited to put on this event and bring runners from all over to our amazing town," said race director Erin Eddy. "What's nice about having it during Oktoberfest weekend is that it helps create a festival-like environment to encourage runners to bring family and friends. Ultimately, bringing more business to this community, not to mention, all for a good cause."

Eddy said the event's goals are to inspire runners from all over to experience Ouray's network of trails, while raising funds for local youth health and fitness programs. The Trail Run has gained the support of the Ouray Chamber Resort Association. Judy Frantz, OCRA executive director, announced earlier this week that the chamber's board of directors pledged $3,000 to help launch and promote the event.

For now, the 13.9-mile race course will begin at City Hall, cross Main Street and proceed to Second Street, north to Seventh Avenue, west to the river road, north to the Silvershield Trailhead, up to Twin Peaks, then south to Pinecrest and down to Oak Street, south to Third Avenue, then up the Box Canyon Visitors Road toward the Ice Park Loop and back to Third Avenue. Runners will then go to Second Street, north to Fifth Avenue and east to the trailhead and Amphitheater Road, the Baby Bathtubs Trail and the Portland Loop, then north to Eighth Avenue, west to Fourth Street and finish at City Hall.

In addition to Eddy, the organizing committee includes Tracy Roxby, Mike and Sandi Macleod, Mel Rajkowski, Kevin Koprek, Rick Noll and Joanne Kneafsey. They are creating a website (www.ouraytrailrun.com) and seeking local sponsors.

For information, send e-mail to Roxby at troxby@ouraynet.com or to mtnrun@ouraynet.com


Press Release - November 8, 2007
OCRA SHOWS SUPPORT FOR NEW OURAY TRAIL-RUNNING EVENT

Ouray, CO — November 12, 2007—Ouray Chamber Resort Association (OCRA) Board of Directors is pleased to announce their support of the Inaugural Ouray Mountain Trail Run. The OCRA Board donated $3,000 to help launch the event.

The Ouray Mountain Trail Run is a non-profit event organized by a group of locals to raise funds to s upport Ouray County youth recreational programs. The 13.9-mile event is scheduled for October 4, 2008, in coordination with Ouray Oktoberfest. The goal is to inspire runners from all over to experience Ouray’s amazing network of trails, while promoting youth health and fitness programs.

“We are very excited to put on this event and bring runners from all over to our amazing town,” stated Race Director Erin Eddy. “What’s nice about having it during Oktoberfest weekend, is that it helps create a festival-like environment to encourage runners to bring family and friends—ultimately, bringing more business to this community. Not to mention—all for a good cause.”

For more information, go to www.ouraytrailrun.com or email trailrun@ouraynet.com. The Ouray Mountain Trail Run is currently seeking sponsors—if you, or your business, are interested in sponsoring, or donating, contact Tracey Roxby at troxby@ouraynet.com.