Whether your springtime desire is to get in touch with nature or work on your physique, Colorado has a variety of events to get you outside and energized. Athletes will appreciate the state’s marathons and cycling races while sports fans will have plenty of opportunities to catch some games. Looking to explore your wild side? Join one of Colorado’s nature tours that are in full swing.
1. Horsetooth Half Marathon (Fort Collins): Since 1973, runners and walkers have fallen in love with the Fort Collins Running Club’s annual Horsetooth Half Marathon. The event was even voted the state’s number one Half Marathon in 2006, and the Best After Race Party 2007 by the public. Whether you race to the finish line or cheer from the sidelines, this Colorado tradition is a great way to kick off spring. On April 17, 2011, participants will make their way from Hughes Stadium to the New Belgium Brewery where they’ll receive a finisher medal, custom Manzella Tech Gloves and access to the official finish line party at New Belgium Brewery. Competitive runners will enjoy cash prizes with $300 going to the top male and female finishers. Free shoes (worth $100) will be awarded to first-place runners in the senior category. Register online at www.horsetoothhalfmarathon.com today.
2. Greater Prairie Chicken Viewing (Wray): Every year, the prairie-chicken males of the Wray grasslands partake in their annual courtship dance. The event is a fascinating tradition that signals the beginning of spring and provides a unique experience for wildlife lovers. The spectacle is so amazing, in fact, that the Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW), the Wray Chamber of Commerce, the East Yuma County Historical Society and the Wray Museum have all teamed up to offer guided tours of the grasslands from late March through April. The Special Tour Package includes an evening lecture by the DOW and Wray Museum, as well as a ranch-style breakfast before the trip. For reservations, (which are required), visit www.wrayco.net. Interested in other nature tours throughout Colorado this spring? Check out www.wildlife.state.co.us.
3. Colorado Rockies: The Rockies are warming up for a big season. If you’ve never been to an MLB game, now’s your chance. Not only does the 76-acre Coors Field in Denver offer an exciting game-day experience, but spectators sitting near first base or right field are also treated to stunning views of the Rocky Mountains. Grab a bite to eat at the Mountain Ranch Bar & Grille, then settle in for nine innings of America’s favorite pastime. The Rockies play on their home turf April 15 through 20, 2011, and will face the 2010 champs, the San Francisco Giants, on April 18, 19 and 20, 2011. For schedule and ticket information, visit www.mlb.com.
The sun is rising a little earlier and setting a little later each day, so why waste any of those precious extra daylight minutes? With events for all ages and interests, there’s no excuse not to get outside and make the most of spring in the Centennial State. Catch a ballgame, witness nature at its best or set yourself a new marathon record – it’s all possible in Colorado.
