Steamboat Springs — 
Dave Miller is a cross country skiing kind of guy, preferring a good ski on some nice, fast snow to just about any other form of transportation.

He’s specifically not much of a runner. On the other hand, it says a lot when he finds a trail that can induce him to go from walk to run.

That’s exactly what he gets from the 10K at 10,000 feet trail run’s course.

“It’s such a beautiful trail,” he said. “If anyone’s never run up there, they need to. I’m not a big runner, but sometimes even I like to just go up there and run.”

Even though it’s a running event, it’s the skiing side of Miller that has him helping direct the 31st annual edition of the race, which begins at 10 a.m. Sunday near the base of Rabbit Ears Peak and Dumont Lake above Steamboat Springs.

Registration remains open online at http://www.RunningSeries.com until 5 p.m. Friday. There are two race distances. A 5-kilometer course will cost $25 and the name-sake 10K costs $30.

Registration will also be available at Twisted Trails Running Company in downtown Steamboat Springs from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday. Race-day registration will also be available onsite.

The race is a product of the Steamboat Springs Nordic Council, and the funds go to support the grooming of Bruce’s Trail, a groomed cross country skiing trail on the west end of Rabbit Ears Pass that’s typically one of the first snow trails to open every winter.

The race, which last year attracted about 150 runners, often accounts for between a third and a half of the budget it takes to keep the trail maintained early every season.

The 10K race starts near the trailhead for the hike to Rabbit Ears Peak, winds up near the peak, then around and back to the start on a forest service road. The 5K is an out-and-back on the first portion of that trail.
There’s one aid station for the 10K and none for the 5K.

To reach Joel Reichenberger, call 970-871-4253, email jreichenberger@SteamboatToday.com or follow him on Twitter @JReich9