Article by Seth Boster | Colorado Springs Gazette
Just about 10 years ago, Andrew Todd was working as a research biologist in the wilds of Colorado’s San Luis Valley, living out of his truck with time on his hands at the end of the workday.
“I’d go run and fish,” he says, “and I always had good craft beer around.”
It’s the story leading to an ultimate confession: “It’s my dumb idea,” Todd says.
By that he means the small, free-spirited world of Flyathlon and Troutman — a world that has slowly grown around Colorado and beyond, luring a certain breed of outdoor people sharing Todd’s love for running, fishing and craft beer.
Most of all, these people love all three together. And they are grateful for the man who had the wild hair more than 10 years ago, this big-bearded man looking for high-altitude fish and a good time with friends away from his cabin in Westcliffe.
Todd “has put the cult in the Flyathlon culture,” says one regular practitioner, Katie Mazzia of Eagle. “It’s so awesome. Hope it becomes more mainstream.”
Though, Mazzia is aware of the tough sell.
People sit and fish. They wade into the water and fish. They raft and fish, and some backpack and fish.
But long-distance running and fishing?
“People that don’t do this are like, ‘You do what?’” Mazzia says. “’You run with your rod the whole time? And what?’ It needs an explanation.”
First, the Flyathlon part.
These are the annual events put on by Running Rivers, the nonprofit Todd created. Running Rivers celebrated the 10th Middle Creek Flyathlon in August, back in the San Luis Valley, and this month returns the Lake Fork Flyathlon near Gunnison.
These are races that Running Rivers prefers not to call races. Yes, there are courses of varying lengths, and there is a finish line, just as there is a starting line, where runners head off not at the crack of a gun, but at the chugging of a cringe-worthy, domestic beer.
Speed matters, yes. But the type and size of fish caught along the way could matter more, according to a quirky set of rules. The fish are measured and photographed en route to the finish line.
Click here to read the full article at the Colorado Springs Gazette.