Registration will begin Wednesday for the Durango Double, and for those ready to take the leap, the October event is offering a sweet deal. One could say, a doubly good deal.
Those signing up during the first week of registration can enter both races – the half-marathon trail and road runs – for the price of one. It’s $65 to enter either event until Aug. 31. But from April 1 to April 7, you can get into both runs for $65, said Durango Double race director Brendan Trimboli.
In his second year at the helm, Trimboli hopes to grow the event, which begins and finishes at the Rivergate complex in front of Animas Surgical Hospital, the event’s main sponsor. He spent last weekend at the Canyonlands Half Marathon in Moab, Utah, manning a booth to promote the Double and other Durango races. (Incidentally, he also competed and placed fifth among 2,120 finishers.)
The Durango Double’s history goes back to 2002, when it was created as the Durango Marathon. The marathon was disbanded in 2006, then recreated in 2012 as the Durango Double. Under Trimboli, the event was simplified last year. Now, it’s just a trail half-marathon Saturday, Oct. 10, and a road half-marathon Sunday, Oct. 11.
“I’ve heard a lot of great feedback. We got good responses in Moab,” Trimboli said. “I’m hoping that will translate to more entries this year. We’ll see.”
Last year, there were 391 event finishers. That number could go as high as 600 this year, Trimboli said.
Last year’s event raised $25,000 for the Women’s Resource Center, which will be the main beneficiary again this year. Ska Brewing Co. also is a key sponsor.
Trimboli is director of two other running events and president of the Durango Running Club. A breakdown of other running goings-on:
Wednesday night trail runs: The Durango Running Club coordinates weekly trail runs of 60 to 90 minutes that begin at different venues and offer various routes. The season opener is April 15 at Backcountry Experience, with the event starting at 5:30 p.m. and a run beginning at 6 p.m. There will be vendor booths and an opportunity to join the club.
The club also organizes track workouts, a Saturday road run and a weekly evening road run.
Narrow Gauge 10-Mile: Trimboli said 100 people already have registered for the 38th running of the race that will take place on Sunday of Memorial Day weekend. He noted that race-day registration will not be available.
As well as the 10-mile, there are 4-mile and a 1-mile kids race. Trimboli said he’s hopeful that construction of the Animas River Trail through Santa Rita Park, where the race begins, will be finished well before the event. Locally made, handcrafted trophies will go to age group winners of the 10-mile.
Kennebec Mountain Run: This 15-mile event is loved for its scenery and views as it goes into the La Plata Mountains and through The Notch. Registration has opened for this year’s event, which is Aug. 1.
“Kennebec’s a great hidden gem,” said Trimboli, in his first year as race director.
Thirsty 13: Register at thirsty13durango.com for the second-year half-marathon that will take place Aug. 29. The course begins in Hesperus, runs past Lake Nighthorse and finishes at Ska Brewing in Bodo Industrial Park.
The Thirsty 13 is directed by Matthew Krichman, who also is in charge of the Steamworks Half Marathon, set for June 13. The Steamworks run is sold out.
johnp@durangoherald.com
More information
Durango Double:
Registration for the Durango Double will begin online Wednesday. For the first week (April 1-7), it’s $65 to register for both the trail and road half-marathons or for an individual event. After April 7, it’s $100 to sign up for both.
Starting Sept. 1, it’s $75 for an individual event or $120 for both.
Visit DurangoDouble.com for more information or to register.
Narrow Gauge 10-Mile: ng10mile.com
Kennebec Mountain Run: runkennebec.com
Thirsty 13: thirsty13durango.com
Durango Running Club: For more information on other local races and running club events, visit durangorunningclub.org.
