XTERRA Turkey Track Trail Run

June 15th, 2013 — A classic mountain trail run. 1/2 & Full marathon distances.

Event highlights:

• Points towards the XTERRA Colorado Trail Series
• Points towards the Trail Runner Trophy Series
• iPod friendly
• Chip-timed
• Best of our trails
• More than 90% of course is through wooded forests.
• Mellow elevation gain, less than 1,500’— the ideal early-season layout.
• Perfect transition from a 'road' to a 'trail' race.
• Famous "GECKO" awards handmade by local students.
• Great SWAG
• Killer after party at Pagosa Brewing Co.
• 15% off accommodation with GECKO partners

This old mountain classic 1/2 & full trail marathon has joined the XTERRA Colorado Trail Run Series for 2013! In addition the race is also part of the 2013 Trail Runner Magazine Trophy Series Event. 

Turkey Track is a spectacular 13.1 or 26.2 mile trail run on sweet single track, and with the start at 7,200 feet of altitude you're in for incredible mountain vistas and pristine mountain air as you follow the edges of dynamic canyons and through Ponderosa and Aspen forests. Plus your share of roots, rocks, turkeys and perhaps a little bit of mud! This run has mellow elevation gain, less than 1,500’— the ideal early-season layout. It's really the perfect transition from a 'road' to a 'trail' race. 

Besides the scenic trails, there are lots of reasons that runners return year after year to this race, and now with XTERRA there'll be more SWAG; XTERRA sponsor on course support (aid stations will be fully stocked with all the usual snacks and fruit plus plenty of PowerBar race nutrition and Gatorade); and a chance to rack up those XTERRA points. XTERRA has supplied plenty of signage and flagging tape for a well marked, easy to follow course. Expect a stocked race bag with a free pair of top notch SOS running socks as a race memento. We're also iPod friendly if that's your thing.

Turkey Track is a race that prides itself on being a memorable day out. The friendly people of Pagosa Springs come out to make it so: aid stations are run by local community groups. This year the ATV Club Pagosa Trail Riders, the Roller Derby R.I.P team (who have a big bout that night) and the Pagosa Springs High School Cross Country team–the Pirates, are each manning an aid station.They all run like clock work and are always well stock and well briefed. As you'd expect from a race set in an authentic mountain town–there are horses! The San Juan Backcountry Horsemen also assist us on the day out on the course, up on their trusty steeds they act as marshals, lead out and sweep.

This year we have a state of the art electronic chip timing system, with splits at the half way. You'll get accurate results fast. We also have course photographers and the race is iPod friendly. We all meet afterwards at the Pagosa Brewing Company to celebrate a great day out on the trails. Every finisher will get aFamous "GECKO" medal - handmade by local students – a Turkey Track tradition.

What's more?! Expect plenty of old fashioned mountain town hospitality in Pagosa Springs (there's lots of accommodation choices with GECKO Partners who offer 15% discount for racers and their families) and you can visit the world's deepest hot springs for a well deserved soak after you run. There's plenty for family & friends to do while you're running.

Saving the best part for last: proceeds from the race registration go to GECKO raises money to fund programs that gets kids unplugged, off the couch and outside!

Course Maps:

• Marathon New Course for 2013 (PDF)
• Half- Marathon New Course for 2013(PDF)

RACE UPDATE #1 May 16th, 2013

With a little over 4 weeks until race day, I hope that your training is on track, and that you are looking forward to running some sweet flowing single track.
Below is information pertaining to the race. It will also be available on the website, and will be updated prior to the race with supplemental information.

Bib / Packet Pick up
BIB / Packet Pick up will be held on Friday, June 14th at The Hub Bike Store from 12:00pm to 8:00pm, 100 Country Center Drive Suite F (970) 731-2002.
We encourage you to try and make the most of this opportunity, as it will be busy on race morning. ID will be required for pick up.
As a last resort, bibs can picked up at the Start/Finish area from 6:30 – 7:30am on Saturday 15^th.

Race Start and Briefing
The race will start at 8am sharp on Saturday 15^th June. The race briefing will be held at 7:30am at the Start/Finish area.

Drop Bags for marathoners
Drop bags will be allowed for marathon runners only. A drop bag section will be available at the Start/Finish area. As this is a 13.1 mile looped course, runners can access their personal items in the designated area before heading out for their second loop.
All drop bags need to be placed in this area between 6:30 – 7:30am on Saturday 15^th June.

iPods
This is an iPod friendly race. However, because it is still a trail race with other people on the course (runners, horse riders, mountain bikers, other users) we ask that the use of these devices is done responsibly.
If there are a few tunes that you need to get you through a rough patch, then great, but please be respectful and mindful of your surroundings.
The noise of the forest in early summer is always a better alternative.

Directions and Parking
Access to the Start/Finish line area is via CO Rd 600/Piedra Rd. Head North West along CO Rd 600/Piedra Rd for 6.4 miles. Turn left onto Co Rd 146/Forest Service Rd 629/Turkey Springs Rd for 2.2 miles.

This is the easiest and safest route – the majority of navigational systems will direct you a longer, more arduous and potentially more “vehicle wrecking “ route.
Designated parking will be available at the Start /Finish area. We do encourage the use of car-pooling where practical.

Course Maps
The course has changed slightly from last year. There will be more single track!
An updated course map will be uploaded onto the website shortly.

Accommodation

We have three accommodation partners offering 15% discount off for runners and their families, although there are many more accommodation options to be found at www.visitpagosasprings.com

One person in your party will need to show your race bib to validate the discount code on arrival. 

Mountain Landing Suites & RV Park (mid town)

www.mountainlanding.net

 Discount Code: 345Piedra for 15% discount (one person from your party may be required to show your race bib on arrival)

 Offering 1 & 2 bedroom suites as well as the honeymoon suite.  Suites include a full kitchen. Wifi, game/exercise room, swim spa, laundry facility. New this summer – a 30 site RV Park.

 Contact Jeannie Sinkey 970-731-5345 mtnlanding@pagosa.net

Quality Resort & Suites (up town)

quality.reservationcounter.com

Phone: (970) 731-4141 

Discount Code: GECKO for 15% discount (one person from your party may be required to show your race bib on arrival) 

Guests of the Quality Resort & Suites will appreciate: Free/complimentary hot breakfast, wireless high-speed Internet access, daily newspaper and Fitness Center with indoor heated pool and 2 separate relaxing hot tubs, and on-site Business Center. All spacious guest rooms offer cable television, coffee maker, hair dryer, alarm clock, iron and ironing board. Some rooms feature a desk, balcony, refrigerator, microwave, whirlpool and sofa sleeper. This is a non-smoking, pet-friendly hotel, with four-legged friends allowed to stay for a fee.

If you have any specific queries, please do not hesitate to contact me directly on the details below.

Train safe!

Mike Le Roux, Race Director

970-398-0612
mike@joingecko.org