Gore-Tex TransRockies Run 2011

Multiday running events are becoming increasingly popular, both in the US and especially abroad. Races like the Gobi March, Atacama Crossing, and Marathon des Sables fill very quickly as runners seek new and unique challenges.

Some races take place in remote and exotic locations like the Antarctica,Namibia and the Australian Outback. Typically, they are self-supported (i.e., you must carry all of your necessary food, clothing and supplies) for the six-day race. The course is set in stages and covers a total distance of 250 kilometers (155 miles). The 4 Deserts Challenge combines four of these events into an overall series, which TIME magazine included in the Top 10 Endurance Competitions (seven places ahead of the Tour de France, for comparison).

For those looking for an excellent US-based multiday event, the GORE-TEX TransRockies Run is about as good as it gets. This 113-mile, six-day race is staged in the spectacular mountains of Colorado and is fully supported (i.e., you only need to carry a limited amount of mandatory gear, such as: a small first-aid kit, a survival blanket, warm hat and gloves, etc.). All meals are prepared for you. Instead of eating freeze-dried mush out of a bag, you're eating fajitas, grilled steak and roasted salmon!

Another element that sets the TransRockies apart is a two-person team event. This year, I'll be running with five different individuals during the course of the event. The experience level of these individuals ranges from elite athletes to beginning trail runners. For someone who has competed in hundreds of endurance races across the world, I'm really looking forward to experiencing this race through the eyes of another.

I'll be blogging nightly about the day's stage and how things went during the course of the run. It should be an interesting and engaging journey for all!

The GORE-TEX TransRockies Run begins on Sunday, August 21nd. Stay tuned for updates and commentary as the event unfolds.

Off to Colorado,

Dean