Weekly Runs
Denver Trail Runners is a FREE, all volunteer group for people who like running trails, in the Denver area. Runs happen because someone someone volunteered to organize one. Anyone is welcome to join any of the regular or occasional runs - no sign-ups necessary, just show up. If you don't like or can't make any of the regular runs, you are welcome to start one on your own and announce it through DTR.
Thursday Runs - 5:30pm / 6:15pm
The Thursday evening run is what DTR was founded on, and has been a staple since 2000 (year round since 2001). All runners are welcome, slow to fast, young to old.
The location changes every week. There's usually a schedule for the summer. During fall, winter and spring, we make the location decision each week based on weather and trail conditions. The location and other info on the runs will be announced, the week of the run, via our Yahoo! and Facebook groups.
In order to accommodate a wide range of abilities, we usually have different routes available. This allows runners of varying speeds and ability to start and end at about the same time. We start out together - we ask the faster runners to start slowly - to keep the group together for the first few minutes, then we spread out and naturally form smaller sub-groups and run different routes. Typically there are 3-4 different routes at each run. Please review the maps and routes, and pick the appropriate route for you. Don't necessarily follow the people in front of you. See more information on selecting an appropriate route.
The runs are usually about 1:00-1:15 long, although we sometimes go shorter in the winter (depending on the weather), and longer in the summer (depending on the location). What does that mean in terms of mileage? We run by time, not distance. The distance will depend on the terrain and which route you choose.
The runs start at 5:30pm and 6:15pm. Which start time should you choose? Anyone is welcome at either. Here's a brief description of the two:
Early (5:30): This was started by people who got off work earlier, or are retired, and didn't want to wait until 6:15. There are anywhere from as few as 2-3 over the winter, to typically 10-15 over the summer. They tend to be middle-of-the-pack runners, but everyone is welcome. They often stop and regroup along the way. They usually run the same route as the main group, but a few sometimes go longer, starting with the early group, then finishing with the main group.
Main (6:15): This was the original starting time. 6:15 seemed to work best for most people who work regular hours. All levels are welcome, really. The speeds range from 2:30 to 6:00+ marathoners (road). In order to accommodate a wide range of abilities, we usually break up into different sub-groups after the start, and run different routes. Please review the maps and routes, and pick the appropriate route for you. See more information on selecting an appropriate route.
Winter: We run year round, even when it's dark, snowy and icy. The winter runs are usually a bit shorter. We avoid the trails that are more sketchy on ice through the winter. If the snow is deep, about 8" or more, we may run on snowshoes instead. Running on a few inches of fresh snow is a blast. The snow can fill in the gaps between the rocks making it easier than a dry trail. Traction devices (e.g., screw shoes, Microspikes, Yak Trax) can be helpful on ice and older hard pack snow. They're not much good on fresh powder. Here are some tips for running on snow and ice.
Dinner, picnics and parties: Many of us will go to dinner after the run, at a nearby restaurant. Although we chat some before, after, and even during the runs (more so in the summer than winter), this is the best time to get to know others. We encourage you to join us, even if you don't make the run, but please don't feel guilty if you have to scurry home.
We also have occasional parties and picnics after the runs, usually several over the summer. All parties and picnics are pot-luck. Please bring a substantial dish to share with others - main dish, side dish, green or pasta salad, dessert. It doesn't have to be fancy or homemade. Chips do not a meal make. Beer, wine and sodas are also welcome. Please come even if you forget or can't bring anything. There's almost always plenty of extra food. It's about the camaraderie. Some great friendships have been made through DTR.
Sunday mornings
The Sunday runs give us a chance to go longer, and sometimes further away than during the week. The runs tend to be 1.5-2hrs, casual, and with stops at major trail junctions to regroup. There are often options to go shorter and longer. Runs are mainly in the metro foothill trails, with some road trips throughout the summer and fall to destinations further into the mountains during the summer and early fall, we often venture higher into the mountains. The group will often go out to breakfast after the runs.
The location changes each week, and will be announced, the week of the run, via our Yahoo! and Facebook groups.
Starting a New Run
Anyone is welcome to start a new run. There is no formal approval process or group leadership. Just pick a time and place, and use DTR to spread the word. Be patient. DTR wasn't built in a day. There were just a handful of people, sometimes only one or two, the first several weeks of the Thursday run. It's best to pick a time and place that you want to run anyway, with or without people.
Announce the run on our Yahoo! and Facebook groups. Please be specific about the date, start time, location, pace and/or distance/run time, and a brief description.
Other group runs in the past have included:
Thursday Runs - 5:30pm / 6:15pm
The Thursday evening run is what DTR was founded on, and has been a staple since 2000 (year round since 2001). All runners are welcome, slow to fast, young to old.
The location changes every week. There's usually a schedule for the summer. During fall, winter and spring, we make the location decision each week based on weather and trail conditions. The location and other info on the runs will be announced, the week of the run, via our Yahoo! and Facebook groups.
In order to accommodate a wide range of abilities, we usually have different routes available. This allows runners of varying speeds and ability to start and end at about the same time. We start out together - we ask the faster runners to start slowly - to keep the group together for the first few minutes, then we spread out and naturally form smaller sub-groups and run different routes. Typically there are 3-4 different routes at each run. Please review the maps and routes, and pick the appropriate route for you. Don't necessarily follow the people in front of you. See more information on selecting an appropriate route.
The runs are usually about 1:00-1:15 long, although we sometimes go shorter in the winter (depending on the weather), and longer in the summer (depending on the location). What does that mean in terms of mileage? We run by time, not distance. The distance will depend on the terrain and which route you choose.
The runs start at 5:30pm and 6:15pm. Which start time should you choose? Anyone is welcome at either. Here's a brief description of the two:
Early (5:30): This was started by people who got off work earlier, or are retired, and didn't want to wait until 6:15. There are anywhere from as few as 2-3 over the winter, to typically 10-15 over the summer. They tend to be middle-of-the-pack runners, but everyone is welcome. They often stop and regroup along the way. They usually run the same route as the main group, but a few sometimes go longer, starting with the early group, then finishing with the main group.
Main (6:15): This was the original starting time. 6:15 seemed to work best for most people who work regular hours. All levels are welcome, really. The speeds range from 2:30 to 6:00+ marathoners (road). In order to accommodate a wide range of abilities, we usually break up into different sub-groups after the start, and run different routes. Please review the maps and routes, and pick the appropriate route for you. See more information on selecting an appropriate route.
Winter: We run year round, even when it's dark, snowy and icy. The winter runs are usually a bit shorter. We avoid the trails that are more sketchy on ice through the winter. If the snow is deep, about 8" or more, we may run on snowshoes instead. Running on a few inches of fresh snow is a blast. The snow can fill in the gaps between the rocks making it easier than a dry trail. Traction devices (e.g., screw shoes, Microspikes, Yak Trax) can be helpful on ice and older hard pack snow. They're not much good on fresh powder. Here are some tips for running on snow and ice.
Dinner, picnics and parties: Many of us will go to dinner after the run, at a nearby restaurant. Although we chat some before, after, and even during the runs (more so in the summer than winter), this is the best time to get to know others. We encourage you to join us, even if you don't make the run, but please don't feel guilty if you have to scurry home.
We also have occasional parties and picnics after the runs, usually several over the summer. All parties and picnics are pot-luck. Please bring a substantial dish to share with others - main dish, side dish, green or pasta salad, dessert. It doesn't have to be fancy or homemade. Chips do not a meal make. Beer, wine and sodas are also welcome. Please come even if you forget or can't bring anything. There's almost always plenty of extra food. It's about the camaraderie. Some great friendships have been made through DTR.
Sunday mornings
The Sunday runs give us a chance to go longer, and sometimes further away than during the week. The runs tend to be 1.5-2hrs, casual, and with stops at major trail junctions to regroup. There are often options to go shorter and longer. Runs are mainly in the metro foothill trails, with some road trips throughout the summer and fall to destinations further into the mountains during the summer and early fall, we often venture higher into the mountains. The group will often go out to breakfast after the runs.
The location changes each week, and will be announced, the week of the run, via our Yahoo! and Facebook groups.
Starting a New Run
Anyone is welcome to start a new run. There is no formal approval process or group leadership. Just pick a time and place, and use DTR to spread the word. Be patient. DTR wasn't built in a day. There were just a handful of people, sometimes only one or two, the first several weeks of the Thursday run. It's best to pick a time and place that you want to run anyway, with or without people.
Announce the run on our Yahoo! and Facebook groups. Please be specific about the date, start time, location, pace and/or distance/run time, and a brief description.
Other group runs in the past have included:
- Early weekday mornings, 5:30-ish.
- Wednesday evening social/slow run.
- Tuesday evening speed on trails workouts.