The Garden of the Gods 10 Miler tops our list of Colorado's best races in the past year.
The Garden of the Gods 10 Miler has a 31 year history as one of the premiere races in Colorado Springs. The race is held in June at the awe-inspiring Garden of the Gods Park and finishes in Manitou Springs. This year more than 1,300 runners competed in the event, the largest turnout in a decade. Organizers offered a new course, and Carmichael Training Systems put up $5,000 in prize money to help the race reach a new level.

With a peak elevation topping 6,500 feet, the race was challenging for even the fittest runner. It looped up and down and all around the paved roads of the park, offering majestic views of some of the park's most awe-inspiring towering red rock formations. Many runners said that while the race tested their legs and lungs, they were left with unforgettable memories.

"This race has everything," said race director Matt Carpenter. "It has scenery and challenge. The families and friends of the runners gather here in the park after the race for a party-like, festival atmosphere."

On a cloudless June morning with temperatures in the 60s, Alamosa's Celedonio Rodriguez won this year's race in 54:28. Maria Portilla of Albuquerque won the women's event in 1:02:20. The race also featured stiff competition in every age group. This year's event attracted runners from 33 states and several countries, including England, Mexico and the Bahamas.

All runners received a long sleeve technical t-shirt from New Balance and a medal/ keychain at the finish line as recognition of their accomplishment.

The post-race festivities were held at Fountain Creek and included free massages, a place to soak your feet, as well as plenty of food, like pizza and fresh fruit.

Runners were encouraged to vote for their favorite aid station. Cheyenne Mountain high school, who did the Balanced Rock aid station, painted themselves green to win $1,258.90 in green. They went with a "Mars" theme and also offered popsicles to the runners, which was a huge hit as the temperatures started to rise. The aid station challenge was presented by the Colorado Running Company. Runners also made donations to the challenge with more than $3,000 going to four schools.

The race is the first leg of the Triple Crown of Running Series, which also included the Pikes Peak Ascent and the Summer Roundup Trail Run.

The race is run under a special use permit from the Parks and Recreation Department which means the park is closed to vehicles and cyclists so runners can enjoy the magnificent surroundings without concerns for their safety.

Last year's winner: Georgetown to Idaho Springs Half Marathon
2005 winner: Pikes Peak Marathon

The Rest of the Best
Not everyone can win the top prize. Here are the results of our online survey for Colorado's other top events.
Best Marathon: Denver Marathon
Last year's winner: Steamboat Marathon
2005 winner: Colorado Marathon
With a beautiful course winding through the streets and city parks of Denver, the new Denver Marathon made a big impression on local runners who voted it Colorado's best marathon. The inaugural event welcomed nearly 2,000 marathoners. Runners were treated to a health and fitness expo after the race at Civic Center Park.

Best Half Marathon: Arby's Rocky Mountain Half Marathon
Last year's winner: Horsetooth Half Marathon
2005 winner: Boulder Backroads
The Arby's Rocky Mountain Half Marathon was held at scenic Riverfront Park in downtown Denver in June. This year's race offered $11,000 in prize money and was one of the fastest half marathons in the state. Despite sunny skies and warm temperatures, Romanian runner Nuta Olaru won the women's event and set a record for the fastest time ever run by a female in Colorado, crossing the line in 1:13:28. Silvio Guerra won the men's event in a quick 1:06:11.

Best 10K: Classic 10K
Last year's winner: Bolder Boulder
2005 winner: Evergreen Town Race
The Classic 10K in Colorado Springs is one of the fastest races in the state. Starting at Tiffany Square and racing downhill to Monument Valley Park, Jesus Solis of Littleton won this year's event in a blazing 29:32, which is an average pace of 4:46. In the women's race, Boulder's Tera Moody crushed the field in 34:51. The race offered more than $1,000 in prize money.

Best 5K: Iron Girl
Last year's winner: Alex Hoag Run for Sunshine
2005 winner: Stadium Stampede
Celebrating its second year, the Iron Girl 5K was an all-female race that was held near the Colorado State Capitol in downtown Denver. Every finisher received a beautiful medal, a technical running shirt, and a catered breakfast featuring white table linens and flower centerpieces. The first-class event featured a large post-race party and was combined with a five mile race.

Best Ultra: Leadville Trail 100
Last year's winner: San Juan Solstice 50
2005 winner: Leadville Trail 100
The rugged and legendary Leadville Trail 100 was voted best ultra for a second time by Colorado Runner readers. The race, which began in 1983, is one of the most prestigious 100 mile events in the nation. This year, Anton Krupicka won the trail race for a second consecutive year, finishing more than three hours ahead of the next closest competitor. Runners battled rain, mud, and thigh-high stream crossings on their charge to the finish. Only 42% of the field finished the race before the 30 hour cutoff.

Best Non-Ultra Trail Race: Barr Trail Mountain Race
Last year's winner: Vail Hill Climb
2005 winner: Barr Trail Mountain Race
The seventh annual Barr Trail Mountain Race won in the same category two years ago, and voters felt it deserved to win again. The out-and-back race challenged runners to race halfway up and back down the Barr Trail on the infamous Pikes Peak mountain. Offering prize money and primes, runners also competed for the coveted handmade plaques featuring quartz, amazonite and granite. All of the race entry fees were donated to local nonprofit groups.

Most Scenic: Mt. Evans Ascent
Last year's winner: Lead King Loop
2005 winner: Rim Rock Run
The reward for pushing your body up the excruciating 14-mile climb to the summit of the 14,264' Mt. Evans was the majestic vistas. Although you can drive the road to the top of Mt. Evans, true runners know that view is even sweeter if you run there. An added bonus - you may be sidetracked by a mountain goat, marmot or bighorn sheep.

Best Weekend Getaway: Breckenridge Crest Marathon
Last year's winner: Estes Park Marathon
2005 winner: Durango Marathon
Visiting beautiful Breckenridge on Labor Day weekend can be fun for the whole family. This year, the Breckenridge Crest Mountain Marathon made a comeback after a oneyear hiatus. The event offered a marathon, half marathon, and a five mile race on soft dirt trails around Breckenridge. Known for its unpredictable weather, runners never know whether they will encounter sunshine or snowstorms.

Best Race Series: Steamboat Running Series
Last year's winner: Summit Trail Running Series
2005 winner: Vail Trail Race Series
Offering an incredible 14 races between May and September, the Steamboat Running Series has something for everyone, from the serious competitor to the casual jogger. In its eleventh year, the series includes a variety of distances, from just 400 yards to more than 26 miles. This year, the series even attracted the USATF 10K National Trail Championship. The best reason to run the series is the scenery - the races are held on some of Colorado's most spectacular terrain.

Best Post-Race Party: Horsetooth Half Marathon
Last year's winner: Runnin' of the Green
2005 winner: None
You have to run for 13.1 miles to enjoy it, but voters feel the reward is worth the pain. The finish line party at the Horsetooth Half Marathon is held near New Belgium Brewery in Fort Collins and features a live band. Race finishers receive a commemorative, engraved "bomber bottle" of New Belgium's Fat Tire Ale, a local favorite.

Editor's note: The 2006 winner was not eligible to win in the same category.