Gecko Matters June 2014

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Quality Resort and Quality Inn are proud to support GECKO events and welcome GECKO racers to Pagosa Springs, Colorado.

With the Quality Resort uptown and the newly refurbished Quality Inn downtown GECKO athletes have a choice of Quality accommodation options at every GECKO event.

GECKO guests will appreciate complimentary wireless high-speed Internet access and daily newspapers at both hotels along with spacious guest rooms and indoor pools. Our facilities are all non-smoking and pet-friendly. The Resort also has a complimentary hot breakfast, Fitness Center with 2 separate relaxing hot tubs, and on-site Business Center.

Quality Resort 3505 West Hwy 160, Pagosa Springs, CO 81147 Phone: (970) 731-4141 2

Enjoy great onsite dining at both hotels. At the Resort you have the option of family dining and exceptional fine dining with two restaurants and a lounge onsite.

The Inn offers the Rez Hill Grill with family friendly casual dining for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Whether seating indoors or outdoors on the Patio, you will be impressed with the gourmet coffee bar, fresh fruit smoothies, ice cold beers on tap, and the live music on weekends!

Mention GECKO for a 15% discount on your stay (show your race bib). Call us today to reserve your Quality experience!

Quality Inn 158 Hot Springs Blvd, Pagosa Springs, CO 81147 Phone: (970) 507-8703

A NOTE FROM GECKO'S FOUNDER

From a kernel of sand in the Sahara desert of Morocco six years ago GECKO has blossomed into a vibrant, thriving “little idea that could”.

Within these pages I look forward to sharing the story with you. As it is as much your story as it is mine. Whether you are a multi-time event participant, about to be first timer, a student who’s received a scholarship or one who dreams to be…

Without each of you GECKO would not be what GECKO is…

What is GECKO? We are passionate outdoor adventure enthusiasts that embrace “getting out of our comfort zone” and encouraging you to do the same! We believe in wild events and wild places. We believe that kids (and adults too) don’t get to play in the dirt enough and we are all losing touch with the wilderness.

We know change is possible and we, with your support, are doing our part to be the change that gets ALL of us outside more. It isn’t easy and we are thankful for that challenge.

Within these pages we hope you will find an event(s), a challenge, a student or a purpose that lights your fire, pushes you out the door and compels you to join us!

Come “Learn it Outside and Take it In” because GECKO Matters.

Sincerely, Morgan Murri Founder, GECKO

TABLE OF CONTENTS 4 2014 Calendar at a Glance 6 The GECKO Story 9 GECKO Inspiration – Programs & Scholarships 12 10 Ways You can Help 12 Those that add the magic 13 GECKO Store 14 More than the Finish Line 14 Athletes at Altitude A SPOTLIGHT ON RACING, PAGOSA SPRINGS 17 Community Races & Cyclocross 18 Chow Down Doggie Dash & Dawdle 19 Star Spangled Shuffle 20 Sweaty Santa 21 XTERRA Turkey Track Trail Run 22 XTERRA Pagosa Springs 24 The PLOW (Open Water Swim) 25 8 Hours of Wolf Creek 27 Devil Mountain Ultra 29 Demons of Dust 30 Mountain Chile Cha Cha 33 34 37

The Famous GECKO Finish & Place Awards About Pagosa Springs CO, Where to Stay Leadville CO, Rocky Mountain High-est

Created & Published by GECKO Inc © 2014 135 Country Center Dr #223 Pagosa Springs CO 81147 USA Ph: 970-398-0612 info@joingecko.org

www.joingecko.org GECKO Matters has a 10,000 copy circulation and is published annually. Reproduction, in whole or in part, without expressed written permission of the publisher, is prohibited.

Advertising: Kirsten Le Roux 970 398 0613 | Kirsten@joingecko.org ,

Photography: Michael Pierce Trent Bona, Stewart Bellina Creative Design: Dave Leibson & Jacque Aragon Printing: Shweiki Media

ON THE COVER Left to right: Morgan Murri; Kirsten & Mike Le Roux model Team GECKO apparel THIS PAGE: Morgan Murri, GECKO Founder and President PHOTOGRAPHY CREDIT: Michael Pierce Photography

Contributors: Kirsten Le Roux, Mike Le Roux, Morgan Murri, Stewart Bellina

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2014

CALENDAR

FEBRUARY Sun 16th. 12pm

at a

GLANCE Penguin Plunge Charity Fundraiser (Alaska Scholarship)

MAY Thurs 1st. 6pm Sat 24th. 10am

GECKO Scholarship Announcement & Honors Dinner Chow Down Doggy Dash & Dawdle ^

JUNE Sat 7th. 8am/10am

XTERRA Turkey Track Trail Run (National Trails Day)

JULY Weds 2nd. 6pm Fri 4th. 8am Sat 19th. 8am Fri 25th. 8am

10 week Beginner’s Running Clinic commences Star Spangled Shuffle ^ 8 hour of Wolf Creek Mountain Bike & Trail Run SEEDS Gone Wild With GECKO

AUGUST Sat 2nd.

Sun 3rd.

Sat 23rd.

Sat 23rd.

XTERRA Pagosa Springs Off-Road Triathlon The PLOW Pagosa Lakes Open Water Swim Challenge Devil Mountain Ultra 50k and 50miles Demons of Dust

9am

9am

6:30am 12pm

SEPTEMBER Sun 7th. 7am

Rocky Mountain High-est # Sat 20-21st. 8am AERC Pagosa Springs Endurance Horse Ride 25/50/100 miles Sat 27th. 8:30am

Mountain Chile Cha Cha Festival Kids Running America Program commences OCTOBER Sat 25th. 11am Spooky Cross (Cyclocross Series) ^

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NOVEMBER Mon 3rd.

Fri 7th. 6pm Sat 29th. 11am

2015 Scholarship Applications open Volunteers Thank you Party at DSP Pizzeria Turkey Cross (Cyclocross Series) ^

DECEMBER Fri 5th. 6pm Sat 6th. 10am Sat 20th. 11am

Festival of Trees Scholarship Fundraiser Sweaty Santa ^ (Kids Running America concludes) Santa Cross (Cyclocross Series) ^

^ Community Untimed, Fun Event. No prior online registration available #All Events are held in Pagosa Springs with the exception of Rocky Mountain High-est held in Leadville CO

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T HE

STORY IT BEGAN five years ago with a seven-day run across the Sahara desert; and a Father’s love for his child.

THEN the mountain town of Pagosa Springs came alive with the sound

of footfall; thousands of athletes and their shared passion for trails, paying it forward.

TREASURED youth of our Communities nurtured by nature, introduced to themselves, realizing their potential.

THE town pulsating with Chile-flavored festivals, Bonfire-ending ultras, Reggae-colored rides and rhythm-filled rafts; and the people come and stay and spend.

THEN the child got off the couch and felt the earth beneath her feet, and gulped the fresh air of the great outdoors, and laughed.

GECKO stands for Giving Every Child Knowledge of the Outdoors.

We are a Colorado-based 501(c)(3) charitable organization whose mission is two-fold; Remove barriers (financial or otherwise) to allow children and teenagers to create lasting memories and connections with the outdoor world, and facilitate participation in character-building outdoor programs. Through your support, these children will gain self-confidence, an appreciation for the natural world, leadership skills and a sense of environmental stewardship.

GECKO evolved from outdoor adventures experienced by endurance athlete Morgan Murri. Inspired by the growth and transformation he witnessed in his daughter after her participation in NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School), Murri sought an opportunity to give back to the youth of today but wasn’t sure where to start. After reading Richard Louv’s book The Last Child in the Wood: Saving our children from Nature Deficit Disorder, Morgan’s mission became clear. In the book, Richard Louv’s fundamental argument is that children of today are so ‘wired’ into television, computers, video games and social media that they’ve almost completely severed their connection to the outdoors.

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Murri came up with the concept of GECKO while on a seven-day traverse of the Moroccan Sahara in the famous Marathon des Sables in 2008. Mid-way through the 155 mile run, he launched GECKO to the world. Says Murri of this decision “I took it for granted that I had grown up in the outdoors; camping, fishing, hunting, mountain biking and trail running. I didn’t realize the impact this had on me, how much it shaped my character and gave me the tools I needed for living a fulfilled life.”

Continued on page 7

Giving Every Child Knowledge of the Outdoors In a serendipitous twist of fate it was at this very same race where GECKO was created, that Murri met Mike Le Roux, South African born, Australian ultra athlete, and they became friends. After parting ways in Morocco, Murri returned to Pagosa Springs, Colorado and Le Roux went back to Cairns, Australia. Both continued to race, Le Roux competing in three ultra distance Ultraman triathlons, culminating in a world championship title in 2010 in Hawaii. Murri continued to run ultras, now representing GECKO and raising money through his racing including the Transrockies and the Badwater Ultramarathon. He also started directing events in his hometown of Pagosa Springs, with proceeds going to GECKO. Most of these were trail runs, cycle races or mountain bike rides.

Each year since, GECKO has paid the way for more and more teenagers in southern Colorado to attend outdoor leadership schools and each time it has made a meaningful and important difference in their lives, spurring Murri and his volunteer board at GECKO to continue to grow the organization, and look for ways to raise more funds and find other programs to inspire kids to get off the couch, unplugged and outside!

Fast track 5 years later and GECKO gets its first employee – Mike Le Roux, all the way from Australia. Le Roux stayed with Murri for the 2012 summer to race in ultra-running and they realized there was an opportunity to collaborate. Le Roux’s background as an athlete, coach and race director would allow GECKO to build on its current events as well as add to its portfolio. Says Le Roux of his intercontinental shift “it was a very easy decision for me, to live in the palm of the spectacular Rocky Mountains, with world class trails literally on my door

step, and a chance to give back to a sport that has given me so much. It was quite simply ‘where do I sign?’”

Since 2008, GECKO has raised over $100,000 in scholarship funds and has branched into a number of other inspirational projects and collaborations with other outdoor and youth centric not for profits.

In addition GECKO stages world-class events, attracting athletes from all over the world to the little town of Pagosa Springs, and contributing to its economic development. Says Murri of his home town “Pagosa is quite literally the best kept secret in running and biking trails. The fresh mountain air, the elevation, the simple beauty of the area makes it an ideal playground for anyone like myself or Mike who love the outdoors. Plus with the world’s deepest hot springs right on our doorstep, there’s no better way to soak away tired muscles after a day pounding the trails.” In 2014 GECKO has a massive 12 summer racing events planned and it’s become a mammoth task to operate. Last year GECKO had over 150 volunteers that regularly turned up to events to help in so many ways. From registration, to aid station management, to race timing, to clean up, Pagosa residents showed their pride and their passion.

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GECKO Inspiration

PROGRAMS & SCHOLARSHIPS

GECKO’s mission is to Give Every Child Knowledge of the Outdoors, which is why outside of the annual National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) scholarships, GECKO presents and supports many inspirational programs to encourage outdoor activity and connection with nature. GECKO also stages world-class outdoor events that encourage EVERYONE to get outside, and includes free fun events for kids 10 years and under.

2014 NOLS Scholarship Recipients For the sixth consecutive year GECKO scholarships to NOLS outdoor educational courses were awarded in April, this year to five students from Pagosa Springs, Durango and Alabama.

GECKO board members, selection panel and volunteers hosted the students and their parents at an Honors dinner, presenting each with their trip of choice this summer. The scholarships provided through the GECKO/ NOLS partnership this year total over $28,000, bringing the scholarship total to over $100,000.

GECKO’s first out of state recipient, Deja Chapell, said in anticipation of her course “I expect that I will gain a substantial amount of character, know-how, and courage through my participation in a NOLS course.” In fact, each student GECKO has sent to NOLS since its inception is surveyed before and after their course and all reported significant positive change upon their return.

Part of the application requirement is that each student must volunteer their time at some GECKO events during the summer and “pay it forward” for the next year’s recipient. It’s often a popular exercise and many of the Alumni come back year after year to volunteer of their own accord. Pagosa Springs resident and 2014 GECKO scholar Davin Hanley said at the dinner “I’m really looking forward to helping out at these events, they sound like a lot of fun.”

2014 Scholars & NOLS Course Deja Chappell Angette Pastuszek Jessey Hampton Davin Hanley Heidi Williams

Wind River Wilderness Alaska Backpacking Baja Coastal Sailing Wind River Wilderness Alaska Backpacking and Sea Kayaking

Look out for them at the GECKO races this summer and ask them about their trip!

Photos: GECKO’s 2014 class of scholarship recipients: (Back row) Davin Hanley and Morgan Murri, founder, (front row) Heidi Williams, Angette Pastuszek, and Jessey Hampton. (Credit Stewart Bellina) Right: Deja Chappell (Courtesy of Deja Chappell) Scholarship Applications GECKO welcomes applicants between 15 & 17 years of age from anywhere in the USA. Qualifying criteria and application forms are available on the website joingecko.org and applications open again on November 1st 2014.

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ROSES & THORNS PACK RAFTING

IN ALASKA Mason Chronowski is now part of the GECKO Scholar Alumni having survived his expedition to Alaska in 2013.

Here is a short excerpt from an interview with GECKO’s Kirsten Le Roux on Mason’s return from Alaska. The full interview may be found on the GECKO Blog at joingecko.org.

Mason is at least 6ft something in his socks: tall, athletic, the school-cross country captain and the perfect contender for a course that traverses the wilds of Alaska with a Pack Raft. However two weeks after Mason was awarded the GECKO scholarship he collapsed with breathing problems. Doctors found he had a condition where blisters formed on his lungs with the danger of bursting, at which point his lung would deflate and collapse. When it happened again a month later he was taken in for invasive surgery where about 30 blisters on his left lung and 100 on his right were sealed closed. With only a couple of months to go to the NOLS course Mason’s health, fitness and ability to join the trip were in question. Showing grit and determination he rallied and was packed off to Alaska in late July.

No stranger to overcoming hardships Mason has had a challenging childhood. The eldest of 5 siblings from a merging of two families Mason has felt a great sense of responsibility for being “Before NOLS I couldn’t there for them. He flipped between families with disastrous results and admits to feeling somewhat wait to move out and go detached and lost from his sense of family prior to NOLS. This - to college but now I feel interestingly - was his biggest like I have to make the outtake from the 28 days in the wild, his changed perspective on most of the time I have home and family and what that left and I appreciate it means to him. “Some of the other kids on my NOLS course were so much more.” already in College and so they were used to being away from home. I was surprised how homesick I was, for home comforts like my bed and a warm shower, and all the conveniences but also for my family. Before NOLS I couldn’t wait to move out and go to college but now I feel like I have to make the most of the time I have left and I appreciate it so much more.”

Mason chose the Pack Rafting and Back Packing tour of Alaska because he’d never done that before and wanted the experience. A pack raft is a 5ft raft that deflates into part of your backpack, allowing you to travel over land and rivers or lakes without stopping. The expedition took them 255 miles around the Mt Wrangle glacier and over the 28 days they pack rafted 115 miles and hiked 140 miles. Mason says ‘it was surreal, I touched an iceberg everyday, I saw a glacier everyday, I also found myself on a 45 degree slope on a goat track that was as wide as my foot, it was terrifying.”

Now that Mason’s home and on dry land again, back in a routine of school, work and cross country I asked him, how does he feel?

“I think I work harder now, because nothing is a tough as what I did, like that was survival and this is just easy. I feel that I have a better attitude to things like my work, home, my job. NOLS gave me a new perspective on a lot really. It’s made me want to be great, not mediocre, and it inspired me to want to achieve more, and showed me that I could. I want to make something of myself. I want to be a doctor, I want to focus on college, I know what I want to write in my college application now about what’s important to me.

NOLS is really, really hard. I think only people that have done a NOLS trip will know what I mean. I feel like if I can survive living in the wilderness for 28 days then surely I can do well in school, do well in my job...Every night around the camp fire the instructors asked each of us - today what was your ‘rose’ and what was your ‘thorn’? I feel like I can take each day and good and the bad from it, learn from it, and move on.”

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Thanks to Mason for his candid, honest account of his expedition and experience and thank you to everyone who contributed to the scholarship fun to all GECKO to facilitate this!

GECKO Inspiration

GECKO aims to touch as many kids as possible in 2014 and inspire them to “get off the couch, unplugged and outside!”

In addition to the GECKO scholarships to NOLS and the GECKO outdoor events there are plenty of other projects and programs planned. In collaboration with SEEDS of Learning GECKO will once again host the wildly successful Seeds gone wild with GECKO, a field trip for the Pre-K Class. We will aim to replicate last year’s fun outing: a morning of bright sunshine and fresh air.

The group of 4 – 6 year olds sailed ice-cream stick sail boats, had a nature scavenger hunt (looking for something slimy, scratchy, smooth and sticky), a nature walk, pitched tents, shared a picnic and juggled pine cones.

In another collaboration between Pagosa High School, GOAL Academy and GECKO teenagers were asked to get outdoors with their cameras and take Photos and Video of the GECKO races.

Our hope is to build on this in 2014 and create a Photography Contest.

GECKO has combined its efforts with the Youth Center to present the popular Kids Running America program in our schools district. The program will launch at the Mountain Chile Cha Cha in September and finish at the Sweaty Santa in December. In between kids will have to run a marathon! Over 10 weeks they

will log a mile or so a week until they’ve completed 26.2 miles – and will have the t-shirt and medal to prove it!

To inspire everyone to get outside this summer GECKO is also launching a Beginner’s Running Clinic, open to all ages and abilities, which aims to support locals in going from the couch to 5 kilometers in 10 weeks. Details and prices will be on the website joingecko.org and will commence in the first week of July 2014, with group sessions every Wednesday.

Last year GECKO created unique free fun events for kids 10 years and under at the Mountain Chile Cha Cha and Epic Mountain Challenge. These were such a hit with families that we committed to creating a free Kids only race at every GECKO event this year.

So, keep an eye out for details of what and when and come and have some fun!

We know that our GECKO racers are inspirational (they even inspire us!), so we have decided that in 2014 we will sponsor a free entry to an inspirational athlete or two in return for them speaking at schools before the race, encouraging the kids to come and watch, come and join in or come and participate in the kids free race. Let us know if that sounds like something you’d be keen to do?!

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We are so grateful to all our Team GECKO supporters, and delighted that so many of you approach us looking for ways to get involved and help us be the best we can be!

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Ways

YOU Can HELP

10 Easy Ways you can join TEAM GECKO and be part of the action!

1. Enter our outdoor events! Register online at www.joingecko.org/events 2. Volunteer at our races! Email volunteers@joingecko.org if you are available to help 3. Follow us on Twitter @joinGECKO 4. Like the JoinGECKO page on Facebook 5. Read our fortnightly Blog and sign up for the new Blog alerts 6. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, then forward it to a friend and spread the word 7. Sponsor our events with an in-kind support or cash sponsorship 8. Make a donation! Donate online at joingecko.org 9. Refer a teenager you know to apply for our outdoor educational scholarships to NOLS 10. Buy and wear with pride our top quality GECKO active apparel when you train and race

THANK YOU for your continued interest and support in GECKO - we couldn’t do it without you!

Please take special notice of this list of businesses, for they add the magic to GECKO events and programs. These are our corporate sponsors. We also have race specific sponsors and we will be acknowledging those at each race, and in your race bags. We want sponsoring our events to be Win/Win/Win for everyone, so please support, utilize and thank the businesses and organizations that support your racing and GECKO’s efforts.

American Trail Running Association Chow Down Pet Supplies Clifbar Coors Crushwave Dos Equis DSP Pizzeria First Southwest Bank Higher Grounds Coffee Ideavise KWUF Mountain Home Sound & Security Pagosa Baking Company

Pagosa Brewing Company Parelli Natural Horsemanship Quality Resort & Suites (uptown) Quality Inn (downtown) Reservoir River Ranch Re sport Sierra Nevada Southwest Land Alliance Tecate The Hub Bike Shop The Pagosa Springs Sun USFS Visit Pagosa Springs Kiwanis cook athletes breakfast at Devil Mountain

THANK

YOU! Volunteers at Sweaty Santa 12

Be part of TEAM GECKO on a training run or at a race. GECKO has top quality (well, it would be, of course – we use it to train and race in ourselves) running, cycling, triathlon and casual active gear.

CS TECH AIR LITE Short Sleeve Cycling Jersey (Full Length Concealed Zipper) Men’s Club Cut/ Men’s Race Cut/Women’s $98.00 CS WindGuard Vest (Lightweight shell vest) Men’s/ Women’s $98.00 CS Tech Fleece Jacket (Heavyweight Long Sleeve Fleece-Lined Jersey) Unisex $148.00 CS Cycling Bib Short with Endurance Chamois Men’s/ Women’s $148.00 CS Edge Apex Short Sleeve Run Top (Flatlock stitching) Men’s Crew/Women’s V-Neck $78.00 CS Lycra Sun Sleeves $38.00 PCT Arm Warmer $38.00 TREK Water Bottle (BPA Free) $8.00 PCT Motivational Cap $30.00 Sugoi Tuke (Beanie) $24.00 Large stickers $5.00 Small Stickers (GECKO) $3.00 Cycling Aerosocks $27.00 Cowbells $3.00 Koozies $4.00 Coolmax Socks $12.00 Price Includes Tax | Credit Cards Welcome | Sizes are S, M, L, X | CS = Champion Systems PCT = Pactimo Gear is sold on race day while stocks last | Postage is extra

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MORE THAN THE FINISH LINE

M

ike Le Roux joined GECKO as Coaching and Race Director in January 2013 from Cairns, Australia. Growing up in South Africa Mike played team sports like cricket and rugby union, and it was only in moving to Australia in 1999 that he was exposed to triathlon and later ultra running where he found a passion.

Mike Le Roux has run across the Moroccan Sahara in seven days in the Marathon des Sables; traversed the iconic Kokoda Trek in Papua new Guinea in 20 hours; won the 3 day endurance triathlon in Hawaii to be crowned Ultraman World Champion; smashed the Australian trail course record for 100 miles in the Glasshouse mountains and holds a silver medal at the prestigious Comrades Marathon in South Africa. In 2012 he left his mark on the trails of the USA when he completed the Grand Slam of Ultra Running (four of the oldest and toughest 100 mile events in under 11 weeks).

Since moving to Pagosa Springs Colorado Mike has been inspired by the culture of horsemanship here and it’s reawakened a passion for horse riding. Mike has started training for 100 mile endurance horse racing, which relies on his ultra running as well as a new opportunity to become a proficient horseman.

Mike has a philosophy he calls ‘More than the Finish Line’, in setting big goals, athletic or otherwise. He uses this in keeping himself and others motivated to see the goal through and to make sense and overcome hurdles and set backs along the way.

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This philosopy and his experience has made him a succesful coach and motivational speaker.

In joining GECKO, Mike and Morgan launched a DBA called ATHLETES@ALTITUDE to compliment the GECKO events, create additional revenue streams for GECKO fundraising efforts and to build on their vision for Pagosa Springs to be a central hub for training and racing in Colorado.

Plans are in place in 2014 and beyond to build on the concept of Athletes@Altitude and what is offered. A full coaching suite already exists with packages to suit various budgets and goals, with a focus on long distance and endurance triathletes, runners and cyclists, for those that want to tap into Mike’s specialized background.

In addition training camps are scheduled to take advantage of the ideal elevation for altitude acclimitization and optimal training. Based in town at 7,200’ athletes can be on quality trails and quiet roads up to 12,000ft within a short drive from the town center. All amentities including an array of dining options, massage and a hot springs soak are accessible and affordable.

A beginner’s running clinic and a local club are a work in progress, to include a way for local athletes and clubs to connect and for like minded people to network. The intention is that the Pagosa Springs will continue to attract and engage an active community that is able to fully take advantage of its premier trail and outdoor environment.

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A SPOTLIGHT ON RACING GECKO‘s 2014 summer racing schedule is a marathon in itself. In over doubling the number of races from last year, GECKO has also divided these into Marquee or Community events, offering something for everyone including a festive holiday Cyclocross Series later in the year.

For the ever-popular Turkey Track Trail Run (now an XTERRA event) and Devil Mountain Ultra now both in their 6th year, GECKO has added shorter distances of 5k and 10k to encourage participation from all runners.

This year, the day after the XTERRA Triathlon, we have a new event called the PLOW (Pagosa Lakes Open Water) Swim Challenge; a half and 1 mile swim. Lake Pagosa is ‘No Swimming’ for the rest of the year so don’t miss this chance!

Finally we are introducing two new Marquee events. On July 19th there’s the 8 hours of Wolf Creek, the first major summer event to be staged at Wolf Creek Ski Area. Choose 8 hours of mountain biking or trail running for a solo challenge or relay teams up to 4 per team.

On September 7th GECKO will present the world’s highest road marathon (and half marathon) in Leadville, Colorado nestled at 10,200ft of altitude. The event promises to be flat, scenic and breathless! You’ll want the t-shirt for this one. We do!

We surveyed participants last year and this is what we found out: 5 Top Reasons Why You Love Racing GECKO Events.

1. Every time you compete in a GECKO event you Pay it Forward and help GECKO get kids outdoors!

2. Pagosa Springs Colorado has some of the best (secret) single track and trail networks in the country.

3. A top quality, professional racing experience – chip timed, well-marked courses, friendly volunteers!

4. We like to get Killer SWAG ourselves at races, so we make sure we GIVE YOU Killer SWAG at all our races.

5. All our races present special handmade local medals and placer trophies that are sweet keepsakes of your achievement.

A close sixth reason has got to be: because you’re in Pagosa Springs, Colorado, you get to soak in the World’s Deepest Hot Springs after you have finished crushing it on the course - no better recovery for sure!

COMMUNITY & CYCLOCROSS RACE SERIES In 2014 GECKO has launched two new races series to round out our events calendar.

Sat 24th May 10am Chow Down Doggy Dash & Dawdle (bring your furry friend) Fri 4th July 8am Star Spangled Shuffle (red, white, blue or stars and stripes!)

Sat 6th Dec 10am Sweaty Santa (festive anything goes) Community races are low-key, untimed, non-competitive 3 and 5-kilometer courses. They may be walked, jogged or run, and we encourage families, all ages and abilities and people with strollers or dogs. The idea is to get outside, get some fresh air and have some fun. Dressing up, travelling in groups and carrying props are all encouraged with prizes for outrageous and innovative themed ideas. Clif will be there with fun treats at the finish line as will our famous adobe finisher medals for everyone that crosses the line.

Cyclocross Series Spooky Cross | Sat 25th Oct 11am Turkey Cross | Sat 29th Nov 11am Santa Cross | Sat 20th Dec 11am Cyclocross comes to Pagosa Springs this silly season with themed, fun races to coincide with Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Just when you’re feeling like you need to work off some of that festive cheer you’ve eaten, there’ll be a lung-busting cyclocross to burn it off. Watch the website for updates and more details.

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JUL.

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Family friendly event For all ages and abilities Walk - Jog - Run 3K or 5K

RED WHITE & BLUE! 8am - 3k or 5k Walk • Jog • Run TOWN HALL PARKING LOT Start the 4th July with a bang at the Star Spangled Shuffle, a 3k and 5k Fun Run and Walk that will start and finish at Town Hall parking lot. Finish with time to watch the parade in town center. Bring the whole family! Baby joggers, strollers, scooters and dogs on leashes are allowed (if you’re walking). Famous GECKO Star Spangled ‘ornament’ medals for all finishers made by the Pagosa Springs Elementary school art class. Wear Red, White & Blue, or Stars & Stripes if you can. Prizes for the best dressed! Clif Bars & Shot at the finish!

Get outdoors for a great Cause – this is a GECKO event!

Price: $15 for 5k and $12 for 3k Adults and Kids 10 and under go FREE registration on the day only from 6:30am at Town Hall..

Contact Mike Le Roux mike@joingecko.org 970-398-0612 www.joingecko.org

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Sat. June 7th, 2014 8am & 10am

A classic mountain trail run

Full & ½ marathon, plus 5k & 10k distances Turkey Track is a spectacular 13.1 or 26.2 mile trail run on sweet single track, and with the start at 8,000 feet of altitude you’re in for incredible mountain vistas and pristine mountain air as you follow the edges of dynamic canyons and through Ponderosa and Aspen forests. Plus your share of roots, rocks, turkeys and perhaps a little bit of mud! This run has mellow elevation gain, less than 1,500’— the ideal early-season layout. It’s really the perfect transition from a ‘road’ to a ‘trail’ race. Besides the scenic trails, there are lots of reasons that runners return year after year to this race, for example, XTERRA sponsors keep SWAG and aid stations well stocked. We promise you a well marked, easy to follow course, as well as a fun race bag and branded Coolmax running socks as your memento. We’re also iPod and Pet friendly if that’s your thing. Turkey Track is a race that prides itself on being a memorable day out. The friendly people of Pagosa Springs come out to make it so: aid stations are run by local community groups like the ATV Club Pagosa Trail Riders, the Roller Derby R.I.P team and the Pagosa Springs High School Cross Country team–the Pirates. They all run like clock work and are always well stock and well briefed.

We have a state of the art electronic chip timing system, with splits at the half way. You’ll get accurate results fast.. We all meet afterwards at the Pagosa Brewing Company to celebrate a great day out on the trails. Every finisher will get a famous handmade turkey foot adobe medal.

In 2014 XTERRA Turkey Track has joined American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day which is a nationwide celebration of trails and an opportunity to celebrate our country’s 200,000+ miles of trails by participating in an outdoor event. Please join us on June 7th to unite in the effort to promote healthy living, protect green spaces and reinforce the importance of trails in our community.

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Sat. Aug. 2nd 2014 9am

1.6km (1 mile) swim /16 mile bike / 6.2 mile trail run

There’s a first time for everything and 2013 was the first time swimmers were allowed in one the town’s lake reservoirs. Thanks to PAWSD and PLPOA once again GECKO is staging an XTERRA off-road triathlon, starting in the picturesque waters of Lake Pagosa with a wetsuit swim.

Set at the base of the majestic San Juan Mountains, you’ll enjoy the clear mountain water before heading out to Martinez Canyon, where you’ll traverse the best local trails for the bike and run legs. It’s mostly fast flowing single track but you’ll need to be on your game as there is a couple of technical sections. The winding trail system works you through spectacular Ponderosa and Aspen forest, which makes it rooty and rocky underfoot - you’ll earn your rest at the finishing party!

We’ve slightly adjusted the courses and distances with a longer swim and slightly shorter bike. All maps are on the website. Enter as an individual or a relay team of 2-3.

As we have moved the event forward into early August it still qualifies for 2013/2014 XTERRA America Tour points (the event is officially called XTERRA Pagosa 22

Springs 2) so you’ll get a second chance to race and earn your way to the series final. We’ve also moved it from Sunday to Saturday in the hope that you’ll join us for a celebration afterwards.

Awards presentations will be at the Start/Finish area commencing at 12:30pm, but SWAG giveaways and sponsor prizes will be at the After Party on Saturday afternoon. Once again The View restaurant and bar is our host for the after party. Located in the uptown Quality Resort & Suites the race presentation and SWAG give away will be from 3pm to 5pm. Enjoy some complimentary nibbles and a cash bar, what better way to round out the day then to enjoy a cold beer and great food? This also makes the Quality Resort a logical place to stay for the race and as a Choice Hotel, an XTERRA sponsor, discounted accommodation is available to athletes and their families.

Join us again on Sunday morning, August 3rd at 9am for the inaugural PLOW (Pagosa Lake Open Water Swim Challenge) for some active recovery and a chance to get back into the water again! XTERRA athletes will receive a discount to enter. The swim will be ½ mile and 1 mile distances and follow the same course as XTERRA.

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8 HOURS OF WOLF CREEK Saturday July 19th, 2014 8am

Wolf Creek Ski Area Wolf Creek Ski Area in the summer!

For something completely different GECKO is staging an 8-hour event on July 19th, 2014. Congregating in the Wolf Creek Ski Area parking lot, you can tail gate your own aid station or share ours. Choose mountain biking or trail running, and then head out on as many laps of the short looped courses as you can, in eight hours. At a lung busting 9,000ft – 10,152ft you can use this as a great opportunity to train for either an endurance bike or trail run event later in the summer, with the benefit of our own frequent aid checks – no crew needed! Coming back to ‘base camp’ after each lap to refuel at the aid stations in a festive atmosphere will motivate you round again. If you want to see how you feel at altitude, come and test yourself here in a safe, fun environment and with special access to these trails.

If 8 hours solo is not your thing, get a team of up to 4 and make a day of it, taking turns with each lap and cheering each other on. Recover back at the parking lot until your next turn.

Then, here’s the kicker. We’re not charging you entry to 8 hours of Wolf Creek – we’re asking you to donate, something, anything (whatever you can afford) and help us to fund our timing equipment and chips. We strive to be a professional event outfit and we also strive to give our event profits to programs that promote Giving Every Child Knowledge of the Outdoors, so our gift to you is a fun day out at Wolf Creek (and a very cool pair of branded event multisport socks!), and in return we need you to help us spread the word of our crowdsourcing campaign and pay what you can to help us reach our target.

Hassle Free Printing We Take Printing Seriously…Not Ourselves.

5,000 postcards $149 • 10,000 flyers $349 • 1,000 magazines $995 (16 pages, 60# paper)

Call 210-804-0390 for Special Online Pricing!

Visit us at www.shweiki.com

CONTACT US TO SCHEDULE YOUR PLANT TOUR 210-804-0390 • Email samplEs@shwEiki for a frEE quotE or call 512-480-0860

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GECKO’s Devil Mountain trail run

is gaining a reputation as an Ultra distance Siren, as breathtakingly beautiful as she is remote and ruthless.

Last year an early cold snap required GECKO to regrettably enforce tough cut offs for the 50 mile BUT since there’s no hunting break weekend in the National Forest this year, the race will be a month earlier in late August, which will mean more daylight and a frost-free night.

As safety is always our number one priority we’ve enlisted the help of more search and rescue and we’ve allowed 50 milers a 16-hour cut off, which should be plenty of time to make the finish line where we will all be waiting to celebrate with you at the bonfire.

This race is BANG FOR YOUR BUCK! Don’t forget that as well as your SWAG bag, your entry to the 50/50 includes a free burger & beverages (Sierra Nevada is a GECKO sponsor) at the finish line (along with the usual quality aid station fare); ’s’mores’ at the bonfire, and a totally awesome complimentary pancake breakfast and freshly brewed coffee at the awards ceremony the next morning (cooked with care by the Kiwanis Club of Pagosa Springs).

Devil Mountain truly captures the spirit of an authentic mountain ultra, with a bonfire finish “For GECKO,” said line and a celebration of Murri, “it’s about everyone’s achievement.

Come and camp with us creating events that we at the finish line and you would want to enter can either fall into bed or ourselves, where there’s cheer on other finishers. an opportunity to meet We have arranged free like-minded people from showers with our local recreation center. Turkey all over the country and Springs is a picturesque enjoy a shared passion of national forested area being outdoors and on the with plenty of space to trails.” camp, run and relax.

Make a weekend of it, stay and bask in the glory of your finish a bit longer.

Encourage your friends and family to run the 12noon Demon’s of Dust hike or run 5k, 10k and half marathon. On your way home stop and soak away tired muscles at one of the three (and all top-notch) Hot Springs baths in Pagosa Springs.

Devil Mountain races through rocky, rough terrain with steep climbs topping out at just over 9,800 feet and with more than 5,000 feet of vertical gain, over Devil Mountain, Horse Mountain, Middle Mountain and Chris Mountain. Ron Bubb, an experienced ultra runner, was there for the first running of the event in 2009 and has come back many times more. “The highlight for me is the terrain,” said Bubb, “being in the foothills of the San Juans through aspen groves on runable single track is nothing short of spectacular. It has everything from big climbs, to smooth trails. With its views from the, this rates as a world-class route.“

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DEVIL

MOUNTAIN

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B

e part of the Ultra action and share a glimpse of the Devil Mountain trails with three shorter distances on the same day in a race called “Demons of Dust”. There are 5k, 10k and half marathon distances starting at 12noon, a few hours after the Ultra runners leave the start/finish area.

Mike Le Roux, race director for the event, said, “We’ve added the shorter distances for two reasons; we know that partners and family of our ultra runners often run shorter distances and it gives them a chance to get a feel for the trails that the ultra runners are on, it also gives them something to do while they wait. The second reason is that we want to give people, particularly locals, who are building up their running fitness the chance to be part of the Devil Mountain experience.

We welcome people to come along and run, jog, shuffle, walk, hike — whatever they can manage for the 5k. Plus the 5k and 10k are great routes for runners transitioning from road running to trail running. We also encourage families, teenagers and kids to get off the couch and get outside, just come and try. We’ll be there late into the night anyway, so take your time!”

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S U N S H IN E , S U D S a n d G R E E N C H IL E !

This is Shirley from Oklahoma. Shirley ran the 5km in 2013 at the Mountain Chile Cha Cha. We gave her special GECKO recognition because she’s such an inspiration at 82 years old!

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A family that runs together, stays together.

The Lucas Family!

MOUNTAIN CHILE CHA CHA 5k, 10k & Half Marathon on Downtown Trails Saturday September 27, 2014 at 8:30am

This year marks the 9th annual Mountain Chile Cha Cha, a festival that celebrates fall, Pagosa heritage and trail running. Combining our incredible in-town trails with Latin music and a green chile festival. Celebrate Autumn with the smell of roasting green chile and cold cervezas.

The Cha Cha takes place on Saturday, September 27. The festivities start in Town Park in downtown Pagosa Springs at 7:30am with the trail running. The kid’s free fun race begins at 7:30am and the trail races begin at 8:30am, including 5K, 10K and half marathon options, with the award ceremony at 12:30pm on stage.

Entries will be accepted for the 7th Annual Patty Aragon Green Chile Classic cook-off through September 24. If you would like to compete, please contact Jacque Aragon at 970-264-4237 to enter or entry forms are available to download at pagosaspringsdining.com.

First place in Green Chile with Meat, Meatless Green Chile and overall People’s Choice will win $200 each. Additionally, trophies and medals will be awarded to the top three entrants in each category. If the judges and the people agree, one entrant could conceivably take home $600 in cash! If you think you make a great green chile, now is the chance to prove it and possibly take home some cash. Only $5 per entry and you can enter both categories if you wish. The chile tasting of 40-plus green chile entries is from 12:30 to 2:30 pm. Tasters are encouraged to put in their vote for the People’s Choice award. Food vendors and the COORS beer garden (also selling Tecate and Dos Equis) will open at 10:00 am and there will be Hatch green chiles roasting on site all day, with delicious chiles available for purchase.

The music will begin at 10:00 am with a short break for the chile awards ceremony at 3:30pm. This is an outdoor concert featuring live Latin music. The event is rain or shine with a covered stage and admission is free. For the kids there’s also a kid’s coloring in corner, with face painting and fun chile characters. See you at the Cha Cha!

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n all day a y b d e w o l l Trail run fo own Park Festival in T s, Colorado g in r p S a s o Pag

5k, 10k & 1/2 Marathon Trail Race

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The Famous GECKO Finisher & Place Awards Anyone who has finished a GECKO race will tell you that a highlight at the finish line (aside from the reward of finishing!) is the hand-made adobe finisher medals given to everyone that crosses the line. These one of a kind, individually handcrafted and lovingly finished medals are the handiwork of a special local art teacher Tessie Garcia, Tessie’s daughter Jade and Tessie’s Elementary School Art Class.

For as long as GECKO has been staging races, Tessie and her art kids have been making the medals, and this has become a much loved tradition for GECKO and the athletes. Each race has a themed medal and often Tessie makes additional age group winner medals as well. After deciding on a unique design for the race, Tessie and high school helper and pottery student Shaylah Lucero craft the medals out of clay. Students in Tessie’s fourth-grade class then paint the medals.

From design to award, the medals take a lot of time and work to produce.

Tessie orders high quality clay from New Mexico and then the medals are shaped and let dry.

Once dry, the pieces are fired in a kiln, sometimes more than once depending on the glaze used to color the medals. After being fired, the medals are ready to be strung by Tessie’s students and given out to GECKO competitors.

Tessie feels that it’s exciting to have her student’s work on display in the community through GECKO events and says how satisfying it is to have competitors enjoy local artwork, “It’s a great feeling, I love it when I talk to people that have been in the races and hearing that they love knowing that a child helped make the medals.”

Make sure you get your little collector piece to wear proudly this summer!

The handcrafted art theme continues at GECKO Awards Presentations. For each event Scott Slind, local artist and owner of Re Sport (the recycled sports equipment store in Pagosa Springs) painstakingly hand welds the individual medal statue trophies for place winners. Each set of race trophies is themed to the event and each year Scott adds a new twist to the trophies.

Scott moved to Pagosa Springs from California in 2011 after visiting the area and racing the Mountain Chile Cha Cha, and has been making the GECKO trophies ever since. A competitive athlete himself, at most races Scott can be found up at the presentation table taking home one of the trophies he’s made for winning his age group category.

We want to give a big GECKO shout out to both Tessie and Scott. The GECKO events wouldn’t be the same without their artistic flair and talent at our Awards and Finishers table, and we are so grateful to them for the time and effort they put into each and every piece of art that leaves with a GECKO competitor!

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THE LITTLE TOWN THAT COULD PAGOSA SPRINGS, COLORADO

Whether it’s summer or winter, Pagosa Springs, Colorado is a special place of rushing rivers, mountain vistas, craggy peaks and climbs, twisting passes, emerald alpine meadows, miles of un-spoilt wilderness trails and pristine lakes. If you love the outdoors, Pagosa Springs is paradise. Enjoy hiking and biking trails, spectacular fall colors, ancient ruins, hunting, fishing, boating, rafting, disc golf, hot air ballooning, amazing wildlife, geothermal waters with deep hot springs and fresh mountain air. Then, there’s deep powder in the winter with the full array of winter sports, activities and festivities.

Pagosa Springs is a town in nature’s playground. At the base of the Continental Divide, with a breath taking view of the San Juan mountains and above 7,200 feet, it’s also the ideal place to train optimally or acclimatize – for higher or lower altitudes. Located in the upper San Juan Basin, Pagosa is surrounded by the nearly 3 million acres of the San Juan National Forest and Weminuche Wilderness Area.

What’s more, unlike other locations at this altitude, Pagosa Springs has a thriving town, with plenty of accommodation, restaurants, facilities, services, training support and entertainment. Known for its world-famous hot springs, “Pagosah” is the Southwestern Ute word for “healing waters”, and the baths are coveted for their restorative qualities.

What could be better than finishing off a fun hike or bike, hard training session or a successful race with a hot soak of tired muscles in a choice between three downtown bathing facilities that offer either indoor or outdoor pools, or both.

Morgan Murri, Founder of GECKO and a veteran of ultra and endurance racing says “Pagosa Springs, Colorado is the best kept secret in terms of training. The town has world-class trails right on its doorstep, a phenomenal climate, and top accommodation and facilities to keep you comfortable while you stay and train. In addition GECKO has some of the best races in the country, so athletes can come here and train, culminating in a trail race or triathlon.”

Pagosa Springs, Colorado welcomes visitors year round, and offers plenty of lodging options to suit all budgets and tastes. Hotels, Motels, B&Bs, Cabins, Vacation rentals, Camping and RV accommodation are all available within close proximity to town.

The Town of Pagosa Springs Tourism website www.visitpagosasprings.com has a comprehensive listing of all accommodation. The Pagosa Springs Visitor Center and Chamber of Commerce can be contacted on 866.438.4917 for advice on where to stay. The Pagosa Springs SUN www.pagosasun.com is on sale every Thursday with a Preview of current events in town.

GECKO racers receive 15-20% discounts at certain Lodging in Pagosa Springs. Please ask when reserving your accommodation and show your race bib at check in.

The Quality Resort uptown and the newly refurbished Quality Inn (previously the Oak Ridge Lodge) downtown are both 2014 GECKO Corporate Sponsors offering discounted rates throughout the year. Enjoy great onsite dining at both hotels (See the inside front cover for details).

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Breakfast Lunch Dinner Coffee Bar Fresh Fruit Smoothies

Family Friendly • Casual Dining Indoor- Outdoor Seating Live Music on Weekends!

970-507-8703 158 Hot Springs Blvd.

Inside the Quality Inn

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ROCKY

MOUNTAIN H I GHEST Sunday September 7, 2014 at 7:00am in Leadville, CO America’s Highest Elevation Road Marathon & Half Marathon

Test your lungs while racing one of the most scenic routes in North America. 10,152’ - Leadville, Colorado - Historic, Iconic, Legendary! You’ve heard the stories, seen the movies and know the reputation. Now, you get to earn the t-shirt create new legends and your story!

This September 7th athletes around the world will have a new highest road marathon and half marathon to add to the extreme sports bucket list: The inaugural Rocky Mountain High-est!

Starting and finishing in the historic town of Leadville, Co. at the breathtaking elevation of 10,152’ the race runs an incredibly scenic paved route along the bases of several of Colorado’s 14,000’ peaks.

The town of Leadville is no stranger to iconic athletic events, having hosted the Leadville Race Series, including trail 100 mountain bike and trail 100 running events, for decades.

Leadville was listed by Men’s Journal as one of the nation’s top 20 “Dream Towns in America”, and Runner’s World identified Leadville as a “Trailway to Heaven”.

The Rocky Mountain High-est Road Marathon and Half Marathon will round out Leadville’s annual offering with an early Fall race, coinciding with the changing of the leaves, and cementing the cache as a premier racing destination for both trail and road runners. Mayor Jaime Stuever commented on the new event saying: “We believe that this will be an asset to our community and GECKO’s purpose is outstanding!“ GECKO Founder and President Morgan Murri, is also a 5 time Leadville trail marathon, 4 time Leadville trail 100 run and 5 time Leadville trail 100 mile bike finisher including a 2013 podium place for his race on a single speed. “My love for the community of Leadville is tied to more than 20 years of racing and training in the town and making friendships and achieving accomplishments that have shaped my life. Our desire with this event is to offer that experience and share the

amazing history and beauty of this community with a broader range of athletes. The challenge of this event is simply focused on the altitude. The accomplishment comes in completing the race while enjoying all the beauty here, in both the local people and the scenery.

Even if it means you are little crosseyed as you view it!” Says Murri.

GECKO has been working tirelessly with the town of Leadville and Lake County to create a route that will inspire runners from all over the world. The Rocky Mountain High-est skirts Turquoise Lake and winds through the bowl beneath the 14ers of the Sawatch mountain range. The course is mostly flat with some gentle climbs and plenty of downhill.

In addition to the race, GECKO will continue its charitable work of “paying it forward” and getting kids “unplugged, off the couch and outside.” Rocky Mountain High-est will include a kid’s only free fun race. Additionally Murri is liaising with Leadville schools for local applications for GECKO scholarships. To this end GECKO has also worked closely with long time friend and local Leadville businesswoman, Donna Chapman, to ensure that the race reflects the community and their needs. Chapman, an entrepreneur with interests in several Leadville businesses including City on a Hill Coffee & Espresso, Leadville Outdoors, Leadville Running Company and Two Guns Distillery, commented “I am elated to have the opportunity to partner with a quality organization like GECKO and excited to showcase Leadville to a new running demographic. Leadville Outdoors and Leadville Running Company are aligned with Morgan and Mike’s passion of giving back to the community and children. I have witnessed, through participating and spectating, Morgan’s team seamlessly execute top-notch events in Pagosa Springs. GECKO’s events are motivating, challenging, fun, organized, and provide recurring benefit to the community. “

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