The Steamboat Springs Running Series has been a community staple for over three decades. 

Steamboat Pilot & Today archives track mentions of the series back to at least 1988, though some of the individual races, like the Hayden Cog Run, date back nearly 50 years. 

“It is such a great environment and such a great community…” said running series co-director, Cara Marrs. “There are people who were running some of these races when I first moved here in the late-90s who were in their 40’s then and are still running the races now in their 70’s.” 

When Marrs first arrived in town, the running series operated through in-person registration and payments done in cash or by check. Results and points were recorded on paper. 

Though the series has adapted to the modern lifestyle with online registration and results, the series at its core has changed very little. 

“We’re not going to change the model,” Marrs said. “As long as people keep showing up for the races, we have sponsors continuing to support us and people continue to direct our races, we are not going anywhere.” 

After moving to town in 1997, Marrs began her involvement with the series simply as a participant in the races. Eventually she took on a bigger role as a race director. In 2009, she decided it was time to take over as series director. 

Marrs teamed up with Emily Conjura and her husband, Clint, to launch the RunningSeries.com website.

The trio developed the online registration system and elevated the series with more advertising to get participants from outside of Routt County. 

The series’ mission statement has always been to bring respectful people to town who are looking for healthy, fun, community-based events for locals; tourists; beginning runners or elite runners, according to Marrs

The series encourages reusable containers to cut back on waste. 

“We are big proponents of sharing the trail and all of our races are on public lands so we try to be very good stewards and make sure that the runners never litter and leave no trace,” Marrs said.

One of the biggest missions of the series, however, is to give back to the community. 

“The proceeds for most of the races go back to other nonprofits in the community,” Marrs explained. “It is hard to operate in that model, but that has always been the way the running series operates and I am very committed to keeping that.” 

Each individual race is hosted by a race director. The directors have a say in which nonprofits their race supports. Some of those nonprofits include Yampa Valley Autism; Knights of Columbus; Boys and Girls Club; Routt County cross-country teams and Trail Maintenance Endowment Fund. 

The 10k @ 10,000 Feet race at the end of August supports the Steamboat Springs Nordic Council who use the proceeds to groom Bruce’s Trail on Rabbit Ears for community use. 

Marrs said the series’ U.S. Forest Service fees, permit fees and city fees add up quickly throughout the year. So, each year the Spring Creek Memorial Trail Run is scheduled to benefit the running series specifically. 

The series hosts 11 races from March-October. It begins with road races in the Springs, transitioning to trail races in June. Some races offer distances as short as 5-kilometers with others reaching 50-kilometer ultra distances. 

According to Marrs, the races build in distance as the series goes on, though there are always varying distances offered at each race so both beginning runners and the pros can participate. Jogging or walking is always allowed. 

Five races have been completed in the 2025 series with six races remaining on the schedule. 

Steamboat Springs Running Series Schedule: 

• July 19 — Spring Creek Memorial Trail Run (9.5 mile and 5k)
• Aug. 23 — Continental Divide Trail Run (50k, 16 mile and 5 mile)
• Aug. 31 — 10k @ 10,000 Feet (10k and 5k)
• Sept. 1 — Oak Creek No Fun Run (5k)
• Sept. 27 — Emerald Mountain Trail Run (12k, 4 mile and fun run)
• Oct. 25 — Foundry Halloween Run (5k)

The series also supports other major races in Routt County — Steamboat Marathon, Emerald Mountain Epic and Run Rabbit Run — all of which are counted toward the series’ points system. 

As the season goes by, participants can accumulate running series points within their age group and gender. 

“We keep track of that throughout the season,” Marrs said. “We end the points system at the Emerald Mountain Trail Run and do an after party and give everybody their award.” 

In order to be counted in the point system, participants must compete in at least five races throughout the year — two races must be 10-kilometers in distance or below, with the remaining three races 10-kilometers or above. 

Awards are also given to the top male and female runners in overall points, regardless of their age group. 

Results and points are handled by Ken Rogers and Jim Wardell of Kandu Timing, who also handle Nordic ski races and high school cross country races in Colorado. 

Marrs said the series is always looking for volunteers and can reach out to her directly, Cara@RunningSeries.com, for more information. 

Marrs said events like the Steamboat Springs Running Series are a way to showcase Routt County’s beautiful trail systems while connecting with the community in a fun and comfortable way. She encourages all to participate. 

“The running series is a rarity,” Marrs said. “Most of these types of events go by the wayside after the years, and we’re still going. We’re only still going because of hardwork from a lot of volunteers and sponsors.”