The Up For Air Series is a collection of endurance events created to amplify informed dialogue and empower organizations actively working on air quality solutions. Proceeds from Up For Area events are directed at carefully selected non-profit groups who demonstrate high value influence strategies. The race platform is used to expose participants and the general public to science-based material about the importance of healthy air. All events are conducted with a minimal footprint philosophy.

Now in its sixth year, the Colorado edition of Running Up for Air (RUFA) offers a unique mountain endurance challenge for runners willing to step up in the ongoing effort to improve the quality of our air. Like the Wasatch front in Utah, the front range of Colorado, extending from Pueblo in the south to Ft. Collins in the north, is subjected to unsightly and unhealthy winter air, due, in large part, to regular inversions. The truth is that our air in beautiful CO is actually getting worse.  RUFA is a powerful way for athletes to use their passion and dedication to raise both awareness and funds to support the meaningful work of carefully vetted nonprofits focused on improving air quality.

For 2024, Colorado’s RUFA is returning to Staunton State Park, a beautiful state park just 45 minutes from central Denver, with magnificent trails and stunning views. Staunton enables the Colorado nonprofit that organizes RUFA, Suffer Better to offer a longer (7.2 mile) and more interesting loop and continue to offer a 24-hour event to the options available to runners.

Scheduled for February 23 and 24, 2024, RUFA-Staunton, offers runners 3, 6, 12, or 24 hour events. Registration   opens soon – October 30.  For 2024, we’ll also be offering a team option for the 24 and 12-hour events!