YOUR AD HERE »

Hayden’s Cog Run returns Saturday

Luke Graham
Tom Williams runs with his donkey, Justine, toward the finish line in the 10-kilometer run at the Cog Run in Hayden in 2009. The donkey (and Williams) finished the race in 1 hour, 29 minutes and 18 seconds.
Joel Reichenberger

— One of the longest-standing and most challenging Steamboat Springs Running Series races returns Saturday.

The 32nd annual Hayden Cog Run begins at 10 a.m. Saturday with an 8.4-mile run, as well as 5- and 10-kilometer runs.

Hayden physical education teacher Kim Richardson and Steamboat attorney Mark Fischer founded the race in 1979. The Cog Run is an out-and-back course that travels along Routt County Road 76. The race goes three miles up steep and challenging uphill, with the turnaround point at the top of the Cog Road, featuring one of the better views of the Yampa Valley.



The 5- and 10-kilometer races go south of Hayden on Routt County Road 53.

All runners assemble at Hayden Town Park.



“It’s pretty grueling,” said Kathy Hockett, Hayden Parks and Recreation coordinator. “It’s going down from river level to a very steep incline up to the top of the Cog.”

To register, go to http://www.run

ningseries.com or stop by Hayden Town Hall or Ski Haus in Steamboat.

Day-of registration will take place beginning at 9 a.m., and the cost of each race is $25.

Last year, the race had 92 participants, including a donkey and members of the Craig Hot Shots. Multiple members of the Hot Shot team and Bureau of Land Management firefighters are again expected to run in memory of Brett Stearns.

Stearns was a firefighter who was killed in June 2009 while working on a hazard-tree removal project at the Freeman Ranch, northeast of Craig.

Racers who compete also will receive a race gift and food from Backcountry Provisions. There will be prizes for the top three male and female winners in each race, as well as a raffle.

Nicholas Cady won the Cog Run last year in a time of 50 minutes, 36 seconds. Tara Richardson was the top female finisher in 59:36.


Support Local Journalism

Support Local Journalism

Readers around Steamboat and Routt County make the Steamboat Pilot & Today’s work possible. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism.

Now more than ever, your support is critical to help us keep our community informed about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having locally. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference.

Each donation will be used exclusively for the development and creation of increased news coverage.