Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs — Saturday’s Mountain Madness running race in Steamboat Springs makes for an approachable race for a variety of athletes, with 10-kilometer and half-marathon courses that, while still filled with hills and challenges, are at least rolling.

Anyone hoping to knock out the race, however, should expect some company. The run has been among the Steamboat Springs Running Series’ most popular events, and organizers expect it to break its own participation records this year.

More than 225 racers are expected to try the courses.

“Last year we had 220, and we’ll sure have more than that,” series organizer Cara Marrs said.

Saturday’s race marks the series’ last this season on roads before the bulk of the series takes place on dirt trails in the area. Vacationers from around the country will join the regular cast of dedicated locals in taking advantage.

“We already have people from 16 different states and more than 30 different towns in Colorado,” Marrs said. “I had a lot of emails this year from people trying to figure out where in Colorado they were going for the weekend. They saw Steamboat had this race, so they decided to come here.”

Saturday’s action starts at 7:30 a.m. from the Howelsen Ice Arena parking lot on River Road, with the start of the half-marathon. The 10K race starts at 8 a.m. from the same spot.

The courses stretch out along River Road. The half-marathon loops around the Dakota Ridge development, and the 10K turns around close to the development’s entrance. Both races then continue back the way they came.

Racers are encouraged to walk, ride bikes or hitch a ride to the starting line as the nearest available parking is at the base of Howelsen Hill.

There are several ways runners can still register for the pre-race day price of $25. They can visit www.runningseries.com, go to Ski Haus until noon Friday or register on race day before 7 a.m. for $30.