Author

Derek Griffiths 1147 posts 0 comments

Derek Griffiths is the owner of Colorado Runner. He is also the race director for all events produced by Colorado Runner Events. An avid runner since middle school, Derek has completed over 50 marathons with a PR of 2:41:09 set at the Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon in 2003.

Hit The Dirt On The Barr Trail

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In honor of the 50th anniversary of the Pikes Peak Marathon, I'm writing about the Barr Trail. This lung-burning trail travels from a parking lot in Manitou Springs, which is located just west of Colorado Springs, at 6,650 feet. The U.S.…

Hit The Dirt at Horsetooth Mountain Park

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Beep Beep Beep. Slap. My hand fumbles the alarm clock off. Ugh. Why is it so early? My brain slowly processes the time of 4:30 a.m. Ring Ring Ring. The phone? What the heck? Then I remember. I am meeting my buddy for a 5 a.m. run. After…

Hit The Dirt At Mt. Falcon

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Mt. Falcon is a Jefferson County Open Space Park located just south of downtown Morrison on Colorado Highway 8. The route we are running today is the typical time trial route up the Castle Trail to the first picnic shelter, 2.5 miles and…

Hit The Dirt On The Mesa Trail

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Writing about the Mesa Trail is like discussing brushing your teeth... it's really important, but no one ever talks about it, because everybody has to do it. Christmas Eve, 1999. The streets are deserted, the snow is softly falling, and…

Hit The Dirt at Lory State Park

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The car idled while I sat waiting to muster enough energy for my run in Lory State Park. I was feeling lethargic and running alone made the prospect more difficult. It had been a year since I had run the Arthur's Rock trail loop. But…

Devil’s Head Trail & Fire Lookout

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The hike to the top of the last remaining fire lookout in Colorado charms with its smooth, double-track path and a canopy of pine and aspen. While this hike is not difficult - you can go with the entire family - it's a must-see. The tower's…

Hit the Dirt at Herman’s Gulch

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I woke up on Sunday morning in late July and finally decided it was time to hit the high country for altitude training. With most of my training partners getting ready for the Leadville Trail 100, I knew it would be easy to drag a few of…

Hit The Dirt At The Paint Mines

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A run through the Paint Mines is a journey in time. Archaeologists claim that prehistoric people began living on the rolling prairie at the Paint Mines 9,000 years ago. Native Americans are known to have taken the colorful clays to produce…

Hit The Dirt at Red Rocks Park

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Each morning with the sun's first bright rays, legion's of the fit faithful march up and down the steps at the Red Rock Amphitheater. The heart-pounding, gut-wrenching routine can leave the toughest athlete gasping for air. I have tried…

Hit The Dirt at Mt. Sanitas

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I first conquered Mt. Sanitas when I was training for the Pikes Peak Marathon in 2003. I had heard from a friend of a friend that it was a great hill workout and that it was quick and easy to get to.