TransRockies Run

The TransRockies Run has just completed its sixth year of being run. The original TransRockies is a 6 day mountain bike race in Canada and through demand, the run was added. In total the run is 6 stages totaling 120 miles and over 20,000 feet of climbing all in the central Rockies of Colorado. The event has grown from a couple dozens teams of two, to over 350 runners, about 100 running the first 3 stages solo, the rest on teams. As I heard several times on the event, it's summer camp for adults!
This year was the second time I've run in it. The first time was in 2008, the second year of the event, on a team, and this year I ran Run3 which is the first three stages solo. I came back because this is an AWESOME event!
Everything about the event is superb! To begin with, it's fabulous to run in the Rockies in the summer with great weather, cooler temperatures, cool trails and roads - and above all the views! There are so many spectacular views along the course, the best probably being on top of Hope Pass at over 12,500 feet where you can look south along the Collegiate Peaks Range to north and seeing Twin Lakes, Leadville, and the Arkansas River headwaters area.
The event organization is amazing. I've talked with the event organizers and they use the image of duck on a pond; on the surface everything looks smooth and easy, but under the water, the duck is paddling away. So it is with this event, they make everything look smooth, even with whatever glitches are happening, and they always do. I've organized big events like this and they do it well. The food is great, there is a shower truck to get cleaned up after running, they setup and take down tents, they transport all the luggage, there is massage available. Every night after dinner is an awards ceremony which includes more than just the winners of the day with awards like King and Queen of the Day. There's also photos and videos from the day. All in all, an amazing production and well done.
Truly what makes this event is the people, which includes the event staff and the runners themselves. The event staff during the run now numbers almost a hundred people and every one of them is friendly and so supportive of everyone. The organizers are great people who really want everyone to have a fabulous experience and seem to go out of their way to ensure that happens. The runners are from all over the world and it's easy to meet and talk - on the run, over dinner, on a shuttle.
For many people, this event is a stretch, even to run 3 consecutive days of trails at altitude. Regardless of your ability though the cutoff times are ample enough that the entire course can be walked and you'd still be a finisher. If you've ever wanted an adventure, this is one to truly consider! Will I back - most certainly!