Run the Race Marked Out for You

For those of you interested in running a road race or two, I thought I would compile a list of some of the most popular local races. But please! See below for resources on how to find races that will suit your interests.

Just in case anyone is not up on the lingo of racing, here is a mini-glossary:

1K - .62 miles
5K – 3.1 miles
7K – 4.35 miles
10K – 6.2 miles
½ Marathon (1/2M) – 13.1 miles
Marathon – 26.2 miles
Mile split – how fast you run each mile
Pace – this is your general speed which will vary depending on length of race. In training often times, there will be a call to run at your 5k pace or 10k pace.

Race for fun (listed in order of occurrence, I think):

Runnin’ of the Green Lucky 7K

Cherry Creek Sneak 5 Miler

Colorado Colfax Marathon

Mother's Day Title 9K+ (women and kids under 18 only! Race category for moms with strollers!)
Bolder Boulder 10K (hands down the funnest race I've ever run. You run into Folsom Field and a crowd cheering for the finish line... pretty cool for us mere mortals! I'll be there!!!!! Will you?)
Garden of the Gods 10 Miler (one day I will run this race. It's been on my list for years... the vistas, the challenge of elevation and distance mixed together, and it's in a place close to my heart... but not this year)
Slacker ½ Marathon, ½ Marathon Relay and 4 Miler (Most challenging race I've ever run, which may not be saying a lot as I'm not super experienced at racing. But I did lose 2 toenails in this one - just sayin...)
Boulder Marathon (same course as former Boulder Backroads Marathon and 1/2M, I believe) - hurry for this one as registration is capped. Backroads of Boulder are BEAUTIFUL!
Rock –n- Roll Marathon,1/2M, ING Marathon Relay
So Long to Summer 5K (usually in August though no info as of yet-this one may not be terribly popluar but it's in Parker)
Georgetown to Idaho Springs 1/2M


Run for the cause:
Denver Komen’s Race for the Cure 5K
Check http://www.active.com/ for the multitude of races benefiting a variety of causes.

Racing and training resources:
http://www.active.com/ (find your own races based on location, distance and level)
http://www.runnersworld.com/ (also a good resource for races as well as training)

Training programs:
The Couch to 5K: http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml.
The Complete Book of Running for Women (5K, 10K, 1/2M, Marathon)

Also, keep in mind that entry fees vary for each race depending on size of race and the goody bag/t-shirt you receive with your entry fee. Most of the races I've listed are professionally timed, usually using a tag timing system, so it's pretty official and you don't really need to time it yourself. Be sure to check the race websites for up to date information on each race (including parking, race course, rules and limitations, etc.) before you register.

Seriously, this is just the tip of the iceberg of the racing world. Racing can be a fun way to stay motivated and remember the real race we all run everyday!