The longest continuous road running race in Colorado has been postponed,
Held every year since 1978, one year before the first BOLDERBoulder 10K in Boulder, Durango’s Narrow Gauge 10 Mile and 5-kilometer run scheduled for May 24 has been postponed because of the new coronavirus pandemic.
The event averages between 200 and 300 runners, and many come from out of state. It is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the Fort Lewis College cross-country and track programs.
“With the way things were trending, we weren’t holding our breath that we would be able to hold the event as scheduled,” said race director Joshua Coon, the men’s cross-country and track coach at FLC. “We tried to hold out as long as we could, but because we have people coming from out of state, we didn’t want to wait until the last minute. Maybe in seven or eight weeks, things will improve. It’s hard to say.
“These are difficult times, and being we are the longest continuously run road race in Colorado, we do not take this decision lightly, as we would like to keep that going. At this time, the health and safety of our participants and the communities comes first. Based on guidance and input from local city authorities, Durango Running Club, Fort Lewis College, sponsors and supporters as well as the escalating nature and undetermined timeline for response and resolution of the pandemic, we are postponing the 2020 Narrow Gauge.”
The tentative date to reschedule the event is Sept. 6 during Labor Day weekend. The BOLDERBoulder also has been postponed until Sept. 7.
“We will put it off until the fall and definitely will put on a high-quality event and try to attract as many people as we can,” Coon said. “
The IHBC also is looking at a possible September date for its 49th edition of the cycling event.
Coon said updates to registered runners will be sent via email and posted to social media. The official date will be finalized by the end of April, he said.
“Thank you for your understanding and keep running – six feet apart, of course,” he said. “Take care of each other. We will come back together stronger.”
jlivingston@durangoherald.com
