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Steamboat Springs — The Spring Creek Trail is one of the area's most widely used and most popular trails for hikers, bikers and horseback riders.

Saturday morning, it will serve as the site for the Steamboat Springs Running Series' fourth race of the season, the 12th annual Spring Creek Memorial run.

Easily accessible from town, the Spring Creek Trail provides Steamboat Springs residents and tourists the opportunity to access the Routt National Forest from within the city.

In Steamboat Springs' early years, before Rabbit Ears Pass was built, the Spring Creek Trail provided travelers a path over the Rocky Mountains.

"The significance of this race is to historically remember there were all kinds of ways to get out of town," 2003 race Director Ken Brenner said.

There is an additional significance to the Spring Creek Memorial run.

Brenner's sister, Patty Brenner Hagberg, was stuck and killed by a truck on the lower part of the trail in 1991. Portions of the Spring Creek Trail are still open to motorized vehicles to allow access to property up the trail.

"She liked to run on that trail and we figured it was a fitting tribute for her," Brenner said.

Proceeds from the race go toward improving the beauty and usefulness of the Spring Creek Trail by adding tables and benches alongside the path.

Several are already in place.

"It's not just a race. It's also a walk," Brenner said. "There are people that are competitive, but there are plenty that are there for a stroll to help contribute."

With the wildflowers in bloom and the river still flowing at a comfortable pace, the Spring Creek Trail is in prime condition to host this race.

Saturday's 9-mile run begins at 8 a.m. The course is an out-and-back loop, with runners climbing for the first part of the race and descending as they return to the finish. The 5-kilometer run/walk is a trail run beginning about 8:15 a.m. Children also can participate in a 1K fun run around the reservoir.

The start line for all three races is near the reservoir, about a half mile up from the parking lot off Amethyst Drive. People are encouraged to park at the Steamboat Springs High School and walk to the start line.

Advanced registration runs through today at the Steamboat Springs Health and Recreation Center at a price of $20. Race-day registration begins at 7 a.m. at the start line and costs $25.

The registration fee includes a T-shirt and post-race brunch.

Volunteers are needed to help with activities including timing and aid stations. Anyone interested can call Brenner at 879-1828, Ext. 26.