Runs With Scissors will be held at Riverdale Regional Park, Pavilion B, in Brighton, Colorado, less than an hour away from Denver International Airport. It will be held on a loop course of 1.31 miles around Mann-Nyholt Lake. This is NOT a misprint. The half marathon is 10 laps, marathon …
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Runs With Scissors will be held at Riverdale Regional Park, Pavilion B, in Brighton, Colorado, less than an hour away from Denver International Airport. It will be held on a loop course of 1.31 miles around Mann-Nyholt Lake. This is NOT a misprint. The half marathon is 10 laps, marathon is 20, and the 50k is 24. (Yes, the ultra is a little long – less than one and a half laps of a standard running track.)
If you’ve never done a loop race, you should try it at least once (why not here?). There are many advantages to a loop course. It is a great social environment, as you will see other runners all day. As a result, the speed-challenged runners (like me) don’t have to feel all alone out there. For those of you with digestive problems (yep, that’s me, too), you are never too far from restroom facilities. In fact we have 3 available on the loop for your comfort and convenience. You are also never too far from the aid station. Another advantage is, if you have family or friends that want to come out and support you, they can stay in one spot and see you multiple times. They could even run a lap or two with you. If they have small children, there is a playground close by or they can play in the grass adjacent to the course.
Although you can’t really get away from the altitude in Colorado (the park is 5109 feet above sea level), at least you won’t have to cope with the big hills found in most Colorado races. We can’t say absolutely, but we are pretty sure this is one of the flattest in Colorado. A few short rolling hills, but nothing long or steep. We always hear Race Directors claiming their race is “flat and fast”. We can only say this course is mostly flat, the fast depends upon you!
It is held on a combination concrete multi-use path and scree covered trail with a short section of dirt road. It is approximately 65 to 70% soft surface. You should be aware that this is an open course. There will probably be others on the trail that day, although it is usually not terribly busy. There were no problems reported the past 2 years, so that’s a good sign.
Runs With Scissors Races benefits INSPIRATIONFIELD -where “if” becomes reality. Serving people, Creating relationships, Expanding opportunities, Fulfilling dreams. INSPIRATIONFIELD works with the developmentally disabled in Otero County (La Junta, Colorado) and surrounding area.
Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Thornton is our host hotel. They offer a room discount. This hotel was built in 2011/2012, so the amenities are new and very nice. It is 6.6 miles from the Start/Finish (approximately 10 minute drive at 5:30 am on a Saturday) and 7.7 miles from the packet pick-up (see FAQ page). It is 0.3 miles (5 minute walk) to a Fazoli’s, 0.7 miles to Olive Garden, and for those of you who prefer Colorado fare, there is a Noodle & Co 2.4 miles away – all 3 are east of the hotel on 120th Street. The hotel is just off of Interstate 25, so it is easy to get to. They provide a “Grab-and-Go” breakfast. You can find the hotel on the “Links” tab above. Their link will automatically give you the room discount.
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Here we go loop de loop
Some of you may be wondering, why would someone want to run for 6 or 7 hours around a 1.3 mile loop? Well, some of do it just because we … MORE
Some of you may be wondering, why would someone want to run for 6 or 7 hours around a 1.3 mile loop? Well, some of do it just because we like to run and would do it if we got the chance. The advantage of such runs is that they are usually fairly easy courses, there is access to an aid station every loop, and you get to see the other runners very frequently. Because you either catch up to other runners or they catch up to you fairly often, you get to know the other people you are running with. Thus, it becomes a social or even a family event.
This run is not unlike the Mainly Marathon races that have developed quite a following with a nucleus of the same core runners. They get to know each other very well and think of each other as family. This is the way it is with Runs with Scissors.
The race director is very outgoing and has a good sense of humor. The bling wasn’t much, but that’s not why most of us do these runs. The race course isn’t too far away from lodging and the Denver International Airport, so logistics are easy. I ended up staying in the Super 8 in Brighton, which was just a short drive to the race start. It wasn’t the fanciest hotel, but was okay for the night. The official race hotel was actually a lot further away, so I passed on that option. There were nice views of the snow capped Rockies in the distance, and the course was very flat. If I was able to find a good airfare, I would seriously consider doing it again.
The weather outside is frightful
So this would normally be a fairly easy run - a nice 1.3 mile loop around a lake in Brighton, CO. the course was 2/3 gravel bike path and 1/3 … MORE
So this would normally be a fairly easy run – a nice 1.3 mile loop around a lake in Brighton, CO. the course was 2/3 gravel bike path and 1/3 sidewalk. Very flat and easy. Except this day it was low-mid 30’s and snow. Small standing puddles in some areas on the track. I began running, but walked when I came to a snow-covered bridge. There were 3 or 4 wooden bridges around the loop. Back to running after the bridge, but then slowed down when I encountered standing water or mud. Eventually most of the course turned to mud as the runners continued their laps around the lake – some half marathon, some full marathon, and there was also a 50K option (not sure if anyone did that). Being from Phoenix I was miserable in snow and cold. My time was horrible not only because I ended up walking due to the frequent mud, but since there was a 9 hour time limit, after lap 5 and 8 I went back to the car and turned on the heater. Looking at my lap times that added about 20 minutes to each of those two laps. I guess 40 minutes off of my total would be a descent pace for my current fitness level and considering it was 99% walking.
The runners and the race director were very nice. Love the unique metal, and I would do it again if the weather were warmer.