Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs — Ben Clark was quick with an addition.

The Steamboat Coureur is a two-day event set for April 7 and 8. The first day will include 15-, 25- and 50-kilometer cross-country ski races, and the second will consist of bicycling events of the same lengths on the same course.

Kind of crazy, huh?

“Oh, no,” Clark said quickly. “Totally crazy.”

Clark, who helps lead the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club cycling efforts in the summer, hopes he’s not the only one excited about the event, which will be the first of its kind in Steamboat.

Dan Smilkstein led the effort to put the weekend of racing together.

The events will take place on the east end of Rabbit Ears Pass, with an area near the Walton Peak parking area serving as the start and finish lines.

That April event is only one of a half dozen quickly approaching events for which registration already is open.

The next event in the Steamboat Springs Winter Running Series, the Love the Run You’re With 10-kilometer run at Howelsen Hill, is Feb. 18. The 31st annual Steamboat Pentathlon is set for March 10, and registration closes Feb. 16.

Cody’s Challenge, a Randonee endurance ski race, returns to Steamboat Ski Area on March 17, the same day as the North Routt Coureur des Bois 15-, 45- and 90-kilometer cross-country ski race near Steamboat Lake.

Registration for the Steamboat Marathon to be held June 3, meanwhile, remains open. The half-marathon race frequently sells out, and prices for all the day’s races jump after May 2.

Anyone interested in running the Run Rabbit Run Steamboat ultramarathon Sept. 15 should sign up soon, as well. The event, which has sold out long before race day in recent years, already has 116 participants registered for the 50-mile race and 49 participants registered for the inaugural 100-mile option.

Registration information for upcoming races

Steamboat Pentathlon, March 10

■ Alpine and Nordic ski, run, bike and snowshoe race

■ Register by Feb. 16

■ $50 for individual youth, $90 for individual adult, $155 for two-person team, $150 for youth team, $225 for adult team

■ Register at www.steamboatpentathlon.com

Love the Run You’re With 10K, Feb. 18

■ Running race at Howelsen Hill

■ $20. Day-of registration is available.

■ Register at www.winter.runningseries.com

North Routt Coureur des Bois, March 17

■ 15-, 45- and 90-kilometer cross-country ski races

■ Cost is $25 for the 15K and $75 for the 45 and 90 before Feb. 29

■ Register at www.glidethedivide.com

Cody’s Challenge, March 17

■ Endurance Randonee race at Steamboat Ski Area

■ $60 for race, $100 for race and ski pass. Day-of registration is available.

■ Register at www.whatwouldcodydo.net

Steamboat Coureur, April 7 and 8

■ 15-, 25- and 50-kilometer cross-country ski race April 7, 15K and 50K bicycle races on snow April 8

■ $65 for each 50-kilometer race or $95 for both, $35 for 25K and 15K ski races, $30 for 15K bike race and 5K unicycle race until March 16

■ Register at www.steamboatcoureur.com

Steamboat Marathon, June 3

■ 10-kilometer, half- and full marathon events

■ $35 for 10K, $55 for half and $70 for full by May 2

■ Register at www.active.com

To reach Joel Reichenberger, call 970-871-4253 or email jreichenberger@SteamboatToday.com