2008 Transrockies Run

DAY 1 UPDATE
The Baker's Team placed 3rd for the Day!

Message from Jeannie: Well, here is the news from the Rockies. Monday is said to be an easy day. Can't breathe and legs feel like they have weights on them. Erin runs back and forth cheering Jeannie on to run faster. The "Cookies" finish third. Erin gives Jeannie pep talk about picking up the pace. All we need is more O2 (oxygen).

DAY 2 UPDATE
The "Cookie Ladies", as they are now called on the podium, placed 2nd for the Day!

Message from Jeannie: Tuesday is a big day. Lots of climbing up over 12,000 feet, and back down. Now we are in the mountains. We got a good pace going and pass a few people. Erin is stoked. The "Cookies" finish second today. Lots of people from all over with lots of different stories. It's the trip of a lifetime and people are really stoked on the cookies.

Transrockies Run Itinerary

Stage 1: Buena Vista to Vicksburg

Buena Vista is located south of Leadville on Colorado Route 24. The scenic town is a recreation haven, most popular for spectacular white water rafting. Expect the weather to be wonderfully mild and pleasant. In this first leg of the race, runners will be covering 18 miles and climbing 2,700 feet to Vicksburg.

Stage 2: Vicksburg to Twin Lakes (shuttle to Leadville)

At the end of the first stage, runners will find themselves in Vicksburg, an old silver mining town that is regarded as one of Colorado's legendary ghost towns. After a night's slumber with spirits of the mining past, runners will travel 16 miles in Stage 2 and climb 4,500 feet. This stage ends in Twin Lakes with a shuttle to the tent village in Leadville.

Stage 3: Leadville to Camp Hale

Once in Leadville, runners will be challenging their altitude acclimation. Leadville is Colorado's highest incorporated city at 10,430 feet above sea level. Leadville is also an historic silver mining town that was once Colorado's second largest city. Again, the weather should be fabulous. After a sky-high night's sleep, runners will travel 25 miles and climb 3,300 feet to Camp Hale.

Stage 4: Camp Hale to Red Cliff

A night in Camp Hale is a very historic one. Located in the Eagle River Valley, Camp Hale was a major mountain warfare training center for the United States Armed Forces. Starting in 1942, Camp Hale was a site for training in mountain climbing, skiing, mountain fighting techniques, and cold weather survival. At its peak, Camp Hale's facilities included mess halls, barracks, a hospital, a chapel, a fire station, a post office, a bank, a stockade, a guardhouse, stables corrals, 2,700-seat theater, and a giant field house. After years of conventional and secretive military use, Camp Hale was decommissioned, dismantled, and turned over to the United States Forest Service in 1965. Runners will leave this historic site and head towards Red Cliff, covering the shortest leg of 14 miles and climbing 3,009 feet.

Stage 5: Red Cliff to Vail

The previous stage's short leg was a mild preparation for this leg - the longest stage covering 25 miles and 5,000 feet of climbing. After the grueling day, runners will find themselves in Vail, home to one of North America's most popular skiing destinations. The snow may have melted, but the scenery of Vail is still spectacular. Tired runners may find renewal in Vail Village where Alpine-inspired pedestrian streets are lined with shops, markets, restaurants and bars (just in case a strong cocktail is needed).

Stage 6: Vail to Beaver Creek

The last stage of the run is by no means an easy one. Runners will travel 21 miles and climb 4,623 feet. It may be a long final day, but once in Beaver Creek runners will be celebrating their accomplishment, surrounded by the beauty of this classy Colorado ski destination.