The Spring Creek Memorial Trail Run has been a staple for the Routt County running community since 1992. 

The race was started by Ken Brenner as a memorial run for his sister, Patty Hagberg, who was killed by an out-of-control motorist while jogging along Spring Creek road in 1991. 

The original intent of the race was to remind the community of the importance in sharing multi-purpose trails. That messaging remains today. 

Part of the 11-race Steamboat Springs Running Series, the Spring Creek run is the only race directly benefiting the series itself — the other 10 events raise funds to support local nonprofits. 

The series will host the 34th running of the Spring Creek race Saturday, offering 9.5-mile and 5-kilometer course options. The races begin at 8:15 and 8:30 a.m., respectively. 

“The longer race is very adventurous,” said race director Cara Marrs. “The 5k goes out and back down the Spring Creek trail, but the 9.5-mile race feels more like a 13-mile race.” 

The 9.5-mile race begins with a mile run up the Spring Creek Trail, tailing off into private property. That portion of the race takes place on unimproved trail for 2.5 miles with views of Buffalo Pass and town that would otherwise be impossible to see. 

Eventually reaching the aid station at Dry Lake, racers will return to the finish line via the Spring Creek Trail. 

“Of all the races we have, the course record for this race is the one that boggles my mind the most,” Marrs said, later adding that her personal best is roughly 30 minutes behind the 1-hour, 57-second record held by Darren Thomas since 2018. 

The women’s record, also set in 2018, sits at 1:11:27 and is owned by Jennifer Lichter. 

Those not looking for the challenge of the longer run are still welcome to run and hike the 5-kilometer race up the Spring Creek Trail and back to the gazebo where the race begins. 

Marrs asks runners to carpool to the trailhead with other participants. The start line is located roughly 0.4 miles up the trail at the gazebo. 

With other major local runs like the Emerald Mountain Epic on the horizon, Marrs and running series organizers invite all to participate in what could make for a great warmup for some of the longer upcoming races. 

To register for the race, visit RunSignup.com/Race/CO/SteamboatSprings/SpringCreekMemorial. For more information on the series, RunningSeries.com/.

“This race has a great spirit to it,” Marrs said. “A trail as pretty as that and beloved as that, it’s crazy to have that right downtown. It’s a great celebration of trail running.”