DESCRIPTION
Join us for The 8th Annual Dam Run at Castlewood Canyon
Live and In-Person on September 19th, 2021.
Now Also Available: Virtual Dam Run – 2021 Edition! Details Below
Castlewood Canyon is a hidden treasure for trail runners and hikers. The park is a Colorado Natural Area providing great wildlife, plant community, and geologic viewing opportunities. A surprising remnant of local history is on display at the ruins of Castlewood Dam. This private dam burst during a storm in 1933, sending a wave of water flooding into Denver. Runners and hikers will pass this unexpected window to the past, as well as the historic Lucas Homestead site.
For those who may want to run the course on a day of your choosing, the Virtual Dam Run, available throughout the month of September, is the option that should be on your calendar! Participants may run the course as many times as they like during September, but only one run time may be reported to be recorded. Times will need to be reported back to the park Visitor Center or e-mailed to the Race Director via RunningGuru. The 10K course is long at approximately 6.5 miles. The 5K course is short at approximately 3.0 miles. Neither course is certified for length. For the Virtual Run, personal variation to the desired route is approved if the distances are approximately the same.
This event is a fund raiser. ALL PROFITS will be directed towards Castlewood Canyon State Park.
ADDRESS
2989 S State Highway 83, Franktown, CO
REGISTRATION CLOSED
Online registration is closed, please register at the event.
FEATURES
TIMED EVENT
FOOD AND DRINKS
MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT
AWARDS
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The 10K TRAIL RUN - is about the variety of terrain on the trails! A true trail run - no asphalt here! This challenging race starts and ends at Canyon Point. You will start at the Lake Gulch trail head and run down the Lake Gulch trail to the Dam trail where you will see remnants of the Castlewood Dam. You will run up a steep incline to Rimrock where you will run along the rim of the canyon. Enjoy the views, but don't take your eyes off the trail for too long - running on the rim rocks is a little tricky! You will then head down a challenging and technical descent to Creek Bottom trail where you will cross Cherry Creek, run along the creek and past the beautiful waterfalls. You will then run back up the Dam trail to Inner Canyon trail, cross the creek and up steep steps to the finish line at the Inner Canyon trail head where we will be cheering for you.
The 5K Course
For the first .8 miles, runners in both events will share the course down Lake Gulch Trail. After crossing Cherry Creek, 5K runners will turn right and enjoy a shortened version of the course. At 1.6 miles, 5K runners will emerge from the canyon and complete the remainder of the distance on our paved Canyon View Nature Trail.
DIRECTIONS TO START
Please be prepared to observe and support Covid-19 pandemic restrictions and guidelines applicable on the day of the Dam Run.
On race day you will enter at Castlewood Canyon State Park's main entrance which is located 5 miles south of Franktown on Highway 83. Your park entrance fee is included in your race entry, so you don't need to pay at the window. The start and finish lines will be at Canyon Point. Follow the signs to Canyon Point parking lot.
PARKING
You will park at Canyon Point parking lot. Please note that parking is limited. If the Canyon Point parking lot is full, there are several smaller parking lots nearby. Please refer to the Castlewood State Park Map for more detailed information on location of parking lots. Due to limited parking and in an effort to GO GREEN, we highly encourage carpooling with other participants if at all possible.
AWARDS INFO
ADDITIONAL INFO
The 10K race will have 3 opportunities to hydrate. The first water station will be at just over a mile, before you climb to the Rimrock Trail. The second will be at approximately 3 miles at the Homestead. You will then pass the first water station for a second time at approximately 5 miles. You will also pass the Westside restrooms at about 4 miles.
The 5K race will have a single water station at 1.75 miles. You will also pass restrooms at approximately 2 miles.
We're pleased to let you know that the Colorado Institute of Massage Therapy will once again be on site to provide no-cost post-run massages for all runners. Tips for the therapists are encouraged.
PROFESSIONAL TIMING & VIRTUAL RUN REPORTING
Timing Consortium will be timing The Dam Run. Official results will be posted at the park as runners are finishing and immediately after the run. Official results will be uploaded onto this website as soon as possible after the run.
Virtual runners may complete a course as many times as they would like during the month of September, but only one uploaded time per participant will be allowed. Note that restroom facilities will be available at the Visitor Center and at the Start/Finish line at the Canyon Point parking area. As a virtual run, participants will need to send a screenshot of their run tracked on Strava, MapMyRun or a similar app, to the Race Director to be recorded. Just click "Contact Race Director" at the top of the registration website.
You may also report times to Park Staff at the visitor center (open from 9am to 5pm). Final results will be uploaded to this website at the end of the month. If you choose the Virtual option, be sure to also share your wildlife encounters and impressions of the trail while you're there. Post your best run pictures on Facebook and tag Castlewood Canyon State Park!
STATE PARK DUO SERIES
2nd Annual State Park Duo Series - two runs at a discounted rate!
Register for both runs at this website and receive one of the following combo pricing:
The Dam Run at Castlewood Canyon 10k and the Cheyenne Mountain 25k
- Present to September 8th: $100 for both runs
- After September 9th to September 17th: $115 for both runs
The Dam Run at Castlewood Canyon 10k and the Cheyenne Mountain 10k
- Present to September 8th: $80 for both runs
- After September 9th to September 17th: $100 for both runs
The Dam Run at Castlewood Canyon 5k and the Cheyenne Mountain 5k Run
- Present to September 9th: $60 for both runs
- After September 9st to September 17th: $70 for both runs
REFUND POLICY
There are no refunds for The 2021 Dam Run at Castlewood Canyon. However, you may always reach out to the Race Director if you have special circumstances.
Registrants ARE allowed to transfer their entry to another runner, or to change categories from the 10K to 5K at NO CHARGE. Registrants ARE allowed to change categories from the 5K to 10K, HOWEVER, registrants will be charged the cost difference for the higher registration fee. To execute a transfer, please use the button at the top of this page, "FIND MY REGISTRATION," to find your registration and follow the link for transfers.
AFTER RACE REPLENISHMENT
Friends is planing on providing packaged food and beverages as post race refreshments. Pandemic conditions and applicable restrictions will define what Friends is able to provide on the day of the race. Stay tuned to this registration site for updates under this topic.
PACKET PICKUP
Packet pick up will take place on Saturday, 18 September between 11am and 2pm at Road Runner Sports in Lone Tree, 8457 South Yosemite St. Phone number is (303) 802-4434.
When you stop by Road Runner Sports to pick up your packet, be sure to pick up a few things for the race. All 1st time Road Runner Sports VIP Family Members will receive $10 in Rewards Cash to use immediately for purchases. Current Road Runner Sports VIP Family Membership will receive DOUBLE REWARDS Cash.
Race day bib pick up and registration will be available as time permits. You may pick up your bib or register for the race at the Canyon Point start area beginning at 6:00 am on Race Day.
REGISTRATION INFO:
The park entrance fee is included in the event registration fee. Please note that a small online registration processing fee will be added to the prices listed below. As a reminder, ALL PROFITS will be used for the benefit of Castlewood Canyon State Park.
Please note that a small online registration processing fee will be added to the prices listed below.
OPTIONS
Hurry, there are only 300 entries remaining for this event.
#runningguru