Out of the many trail races I've done, this was probably the most fun and the biggest I've been to. These trail races, each distance hosted by a local resturant, is apart of the Xterra Off Road Triathlon World Championships weekend. From the second you arrive, you can feel this buzz of excitement and it starts with the staff and volunteers. A lot of the volunteers are locals and their energy was real! You could tell the staff and volunteers were having fun, which in turn, lets you know you're set for a good day.
The races go off in waves, starting with a 3.3K, the 5K, then the 10K. There were great turns outs for each race but it never felt too crowded. A great balance between the hundreds of people who showed up, but it still felt like a fun local race.
The course itself is brutal, mostly due to the heat and the inclines. The hills are rarely very long, but they can be steep! Thankfully there's plenty of aid stations with water and gatorade endurance. Just be aware that the mile markings are out for the Triathlon for the next day which starts in a different area. My watch, and most everyone else's, where a bit off from the marked mileage. The aid stations are also a bit off than advertised but are always a welcome site.
One of the unique feature of this run is the 300 yard run along the beach right before the finish. Trudging through ankle deep sand is brutal!
The finish line is well stocked with a variety of different snacks like bagels, oranges, M&M's, donuts, bananas, watermelon, and things similar.
There's also a tent with foam rollers and stretching mats provided by muscle milk with their drinks for free! Perfect for recovering after a race like that.
I had a blast doing this brutal race, if you're up for a rewarding challenge, I highly recommend it.

The Xterra Beaver Creek trail race is a fantastic option for runners of all abilities and trail experiences. They have 3 races, a 5K, a 10K and a 21K. Each are different variations of loops and have it all! climbing single track, beautiful mountain views, and if you run the 21K, about 2000ft of gain. The whole experience makes you feel like an elite from the massive arch you finish under, the big timing system, then hearing your name from the speakers saying "You are an Xterra warrior!"

This race was my first marathon and the local scene instantly made me felt welcome and ready. All the sponsors were local, and the small number of participants are all so friendly. The race is put on by GECKO which stands for Give Every Child Knowledge of the Outdoors. The race is a fund raiser for underprivileged kids to get them outside. While everything was super low key, it doesn't mean the volunteers weren't enthusiastic! All of the aids stations were well stocked and fantastic.

If you want a race that's almost a guaranteed PR, fantastic scenery, and the best beer you can get your hands on, this race is the one for you. This is actually the 2nd year I've ran this race and it's one that I look forward to each year. It happen in late August in conjunction with the San Juan Brewfest. This course descends 1500ft over 13.1 miles in one of the most beautiful parts of the country. About half way through the race, you get the stunning views of Lake Nighthorse. The most difficult portion of this race is the last 5K which throws some gradual climbs right at the end of the race. When you finally finish at the Ska Brewing World HQ, you are rewarded with a 30oz beer stein and a free beer of your choice! I cannot recommend this race enough.