KJCT8.com - Grand Junction, Montrose - Weather, News, Sports | Runners conquer Rim Rock Saturday

Runners conquer Rim Rock Saturday

GRAND JUNCTION (KJCT)- Runners from across the country have been training for months to conquer one of the newest and most challenging marathons taking place right in our backyard.

This year the Rim Rock Race on the Colorado National Monument qualifies as a marathon.

Over the past few years, the Rim Rock Race just missed qualifying for a marathon at 22.6 miles. The race stretched from entrance to entrance at the Colorado National Monument.

“This year we start outside the monument, by 8/10 of mile, and we go up and over the Colorado National Monument and finish at James M. Robb state park in Fruita,” said race director Chris Reed.

This isn't your ordinary marathon. Race organizers say it’s one of the most scenic marathon runs in the country. But it's also one of the most challenging.

“It’s difficult. You have just over 2,000 vertical feet of gain on the front end of the race. For the backend of the race, its just over 2,400 vertical feet of decension. So it’s tough on the body either way.

“The venue is unmatched anywhere in the country and it’s unique and exciting to see this kind of event in western Colorado,” said Steve Gunderson from U.S. Bank, a sponsor of the race.

Sponsors say the race brings out more than runners.

“It draws attention to western Colorado and the outdoor interest and excitement of the folks that like to participate in these things,” Gunderson said.

230 runners are challenging themselves to finish the Rimrock marathon. The fastest runners could finish it in as little as two hours and 30 minutes. 

If you'd like to come out and cheer for the runners, a good place to be is on the west entrance of the Fruita side or the finish line.

The race starts this Saturday at 8:00 a.m. It will benefit the Junior Rangers, “Girls on the Run” and Colorado Discoverability. And a traffic note-- the westbound lane will be closed on the monument from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.