“Super Bowl Sunday is about the closest thing to a holiday in America, without actually being a holiday. People will always look for an excuse to get the excitement of the day started early so a race certainly fills that need, and gives participants an opportunity to burn some calories before loading up on nachos,” quipped Mike Shafai, president of the Pikes Peak Road Runners Club in Colorado Springs.
The club and PikesPeakSports.us, a movement and website that recognizes the active community in the Colorado Springs area, are partnering up to offer a new Super Bowl tradition to Colorado runners: The Super Bowl Half Marathon and 5k Family Run/Walk, to be held at 10 AM on Super Bowl Sunday (February 5, 2012).
“We started looking at race dates several months ago.” said Tim Bergsten, who birthed the idea for the new race and venue. “The race schedule in Colorado Springs is just packed with three and sometimes four races on weekends. The only free date was Super Bowl Sunday. At first, we thought ‘that’s no good.’ But it only took a minute to realize that a race on Super Bowl morning would fly. It’s been proven over and over that people want to run and race on holidays.” Bergsten, the co-founder of PikesPeakSports.us, should know – he keeps his finger on the pulse of the energetic lifestyle of citizens of the Colorado Springs region each weekend.
He says that the race could be a draw to those setting New Year’s Resolutions – many of whom set their sights on the Pikes Peak Ascent and need a half marathon qualifying time prior to the race’s March registration.
Runners from across the state will appreciate a half marathon distance event – rare in the cold winter months – as well as the shorter 5k event. Race parking is free, packet pick-up is warm and indoors, and post-race goodies are hosted at the local favorite Jack Quinn Irish Alehouse and Pub.
Race proceeds will support the Colorado Springs running community through the Pikes Peak Roadrunners – a 1,700 member running club with a dream. The club produces 30 events each year – and assists at countless others in the region, including the Pikes Peak Marathon, Ascent, and Garden of the Gods 10-Miler. While most of the club’s races are free/inexpensive to members or are community fundraisers, the Super Half and 5k will assist with the dream goal of someday owning a ‘club house’ for storage, meetings, club events, and as a staging area for social runs.
For more information about the Super Bowl Half Marathon and 5k Family Run/Walk, click here.
December 5, 2011 by Connilee Walter
Regional News