The Nature Connection - Trail Opening

Join us to celebrate the new trails at TNC in Hotchkiss!

A 1k, 5k and 10k trail race course will be set on the Crossroads/High School trails. Complete on mountain bike or on foot

Please register on OUR website only: http://thenatureconnection.net/family

Details: 

The Nature Connection is excited to celebrate the completion of the Crossroads Trail System. Almost 9 miles of singletrack trails have been constructed by high school trail crews with funding from GOCO's Generation Wild Program, the North Fork Pool and Recreation District, the Colorado Health Foundation, Delta Area Mountain Bikers and more! This race event will benefit The Nature Connection to continue to maintain and develop recreational trails near our schools and communities.

On Saturday May 8th, a number of different trail races will be offered by The Nature Connection. Participants can choose to compete as a runner or mountain biker and choose the DISTANCE.

Free 1k mountain bike and running race (kids under 7 only)
5k (3.1 mile) mountain bike and running race ($15 Kids, $30 Adults)
10k (6.2 mile) mountain bike and running race ($15 Kids, $30 Adults)
All races will have various awards and prizes for participants in both categories.

FORMAT:

Due to COVID precautions and limited volunteer capacity, the race will be in a unique format.

Race course will be open from 9am - 1pm . You can choose when you would like to participate based on your preference and schedule. 
Please visit thenatureconnection.net/  for overall trail map. Exact race course and details will be emailed to participants  1 week prior to race.
The course for each of the distances will be clearly marked with different colored flagging tape. 
Course will be over 95% singletrack, dirt trails with ~300ft (5k) or 600 ft (10k) of climbing/descending.
We are asking that you use a GPS-enabled phone, smart watch or other device to time your own race. *If no device is available, TNC staff can help time your race.
We will host a mass "start" for the "little" kids 1k at 11am. Kids can choose to compete at this time or at a later time. 

Aid station with water and refreshments will be available at the start/finish which also is the midpoint of the 10k route.
After completing the course, please share your time and GPS track with race officials to be eligible for prizes.

For all participants:

Our goal for this race is to provide a bit of friendly competition for kids and families. This is not a "sanctioned" race and timing is purely voluntary. Race "official" will work with you to verify your time.
Race must be completed by 1pm to be eligible for prizes.
Registration must be received by April 24th to guarantee t-shirt size. Otherwise, shirts will be available first come, first serve.
This is being organized as a fun, family-friendly event. Please respect other participants by sharing the trails. 
Dogs are allowed on trails, however we ask that you refrain from "racing" with your dog to limit congestion on trails.

Bikers:

Trails are open to human-powered bicycles only (no e-bikes please.)
We recommend mountain/trail bikes with tires >1.5" (40mm) in order to navigate the loose soils. Suspension not required.
Trails are considered beginner/intermediate due to short periods of climbing and descending as well as loose/rocky soils.
The Nature Connection will have bikes available for adults and kids to borrow to compete in any of the trail races. Please select this option in your registration details.
We are asking for an additional $10 donation to reserve a bike for the race.Adult mountain bikes are nice 27.5" front-suspension bikes with disk brakes.
Our 24" kids bikes (10-12 year old) have suspension and disk brakes.
Bikes for ages 12 and under do not have suspension.
Waiver and adult signature will be required to borrow a bike.

Please estimate your size when registering. We can always switch to a smaller or larger bike if we have availability.