Mountain Chile Cha Cha – Weekend Updates Here

August 25th, 2012 — featuring the incredible terrain of Reservoir River Ranch!

Morgan and Morgan and our GECKO Team

Thanks to your support GECKO grew a bunch in 2011. We teamed up with NOLS to provided more than $20,000 in Scholarships! Checkout student “Thank You’s” and Pictures

We are always looking for the best candidates for scholarships and the deadline for applications is February 15 so if you know someone you would like to recommend please go click here.

Through the gracious generosity of the Levine family a large portion of this run takes place on pristine private property know as Reservoir River Ranch. The Ranch is otherwise inaccessible—we ask that you be respectful of this beautiful property and treat it as if it were your own. All entrants will receive a great shirt, all finishers will receive a fun finishers award and the top 3 men and women will receive special awards.

Morgan Murrie welcomes all runners and gave the latest updates on the wet trail.

The race is on. Runners raced across the foot bridge and directly up the road to Reservoir Hill.

Climbing the hill will get the pulse going!

Dogs are allowed!

Once into the trees the trail seems to be way out in the National Forest.

The 5k run is 100% off-road. In the spirit of trail running we’ve added more off-road terrain this year.

The 10K run is a challenging loop, with more than 700’ of climbing. The course consists of approximately a 1/2 mile of paved road—the balance being trail which ranges from dirt road to double track to single track. The trail is mountainous and scenic with awesome views as well as challenging climbing & descending. Additionally, this course features a family and spectator friendly finish though downtown Pagosa Springs.

The 1/2 Marathon is the 10k loop plus an additional loop with a nice little hill thrown in!

Perhaps the most unique and exciting part of this race is its relationship with the Mountain Chile Cha Cha festival. What better way to round out the day then to enjoy live music, cold beer and great food? If it’s hot you can cool off in the San Juan River or relax under the park trees while the chilis cook and the music rocks.