The Colorado Mountain Half+ Series combines five of Colorado’s original iconic mountain half marathons and unique 25K races in the state. HAL Sports was instrumental in bringing together the independent races to create a challenging series of 67.9 miles. What started out as three events has now grown to five. The series features the opportunity to run three, four, or all five events to earn points and win awards. Along with sportsmanship and impressive grandeur, the events share a common mission: to support local non-profit youth programs and schools in the region.
• Beginning on June 15 & 16, the Estes Park Half Marathon will kick off the series as it celebrates its 21st anniversary. A new option this year is the Shining Twin Challenge: registrants will compete in the Longs Peak 5M on Saturday and the half marathon on Sunday. Also on Sunday is the full marathon. All events are run in the mountain-town landscape at the base of Rocky Mountain National Park.
• Next up is the 46th annual Georgetown to Idaho Springs Half Marathon on August 10. The start is at Georgetown Lake between towering Rocky Mountains. Cruise to the finish in Idaho Springs on a mostly downhill and notoriously fast course–a great place to run a PR!
• On August 17, the series heads to the Mt. Sneffels Half Marathon in Ouray–the “Switzerland of America.” Runners journey along the valley course with spectacular views of mountain ranges, often spotting wildlife including a camel and a yak!
• The 42nd Ned*Ned Half Marathon in Nederland takes place on September 14th. Nederland is nestled in a valley carved by glaciers and is known for its Frozen Dead Guy. Runners follow trails through national forests with Barker Reservoir as the backdrop.
• Rounding out the series is the Lead King Loop 25K on September 15th with its abundant fall colors in some of the most stunning areas of Colorado. Competitors are rewarded with serenity, BBQ, and beer (21+)
“These events, all volunteer administered, were facing challenges in being able to promote their uniqueness, amazing beauty, and unprecedented ambiance,” said Lonnie Somers, HAL Sports Chief HAL Officer. “It made sense to create an unparalleled and challenging series where each event benefits from the other in promotion, support, and excellence. This not only has ensured the survival of these events, but also allowed them to thrive in the most magnificent areas of Colorado.”
ABOUT HAL SPORTS
Co-owned by Lonnie and Michelle Somers, HAL Sports forges strong partnerships with its clients, demonstrating a deep commitment to the success of their events. HAL’s dedicated team stands by its partners at every stage, offering expertise to oversee and advise on all aspects of event planning and management.
HAL stands for Healthy Active Living. What is your HAL? Find out more on our website.
