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Time to register for the Thirsty 13 Half Marathon

Registration for popular race opens soon

Lovers of craft beer and running rejoice, and add the Thirsty 13 Half Marathon to this year’s race schedule.

Registration for this year’s Thirsty 13 will open April 1, with the race scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 27 to coincide with San Juan Brewfest.

The race field is limited to 500 runners for the second consecutive year. The field grew from 300 to 500 from its first to second year in existence.

“Last year, based on popular demand, we increased the field to 500 runners and again it sold out,” race director Matthew Krichman said. “We are maintaining the field at 500 runners this year, and we do expect it to sell out quickly again. This makes the Thirsty 13 Durango’s largest and most popular running race.”

Krichman said he wishes he could make the event bigger to accommodate more athletes, but keeping it at 500 runners helps keep it special.

“It’s big enough that it feels like a major event and still small enough that it also feels like a very friendly gathering where lots of runners know each other,” he said.

The race starts at Hesperus Church and is mostly downhill, dropping 1,400 feet from start to finish with incredible scenery along the way with views of the La Plata Mountains, the meadows of the Shenandoah and Wildcat Canyon and Lake Nighthorse. The finish line is Ska Brewing, providing a tasty reward for every competitor.

“It runs on county roads that lots of runners, even local Durangoans, don’t run on very often,” Krichman said.

The first 12½ miles are where most of the downhill occurs, and that last half mile of uphill is where runners truly earn their beer reward at the finish line. Because it is mostly downhill, the Thirsty 13 is a great race for runners to target to set a personal record.

After enjoying food and beer at Ska, competitors who sign up for the race plus Brewfest will receive a ticket to the San Juan Brewfest, which features 50 breweries from around the region.

The cost is $67 for just the race, but runners can pay $82 to get into the race and Brewfest. The Brewfest ticket by itself costs $30, so the combination is a great value. Krichman estimated that 90 percent of runners purchase the race plus Brewfest package.

“They have worked hard to train for the race, and they want a celebration that is worthy of their accomplishment,” he said.

Krichman is proud of the organization of the race. Accurate chip timing is provided, the route is well-marked and packet pickup is easy and convenient. Aid stations are also available.

The race attracts runners far beyond Durango. Krichman said runners from roughly 10 different states have competed in the first two years. That makes registering early vital if athletes want to solidify this race onto their 2016 schedule.

“This race combines the things that Durango is known for: great craft beer and awesome outdoor recreation,” he said.

jlivingston@durangoherald.com

Mar 24, 2016
Inaugural Durango Half Marathon set for July 2


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