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Wild West Relay 2009

The Wild West Relay is a 195-mile distance team running relay race adventure in Colorado designed for runners of all abilities. It begins by the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Fort Collins, and finishes in the beautiful ski and summer resort town of Steamboat Springs. Held on open public roads, much of this very scenic and remote course runs through National Forests or on dirt roads. The route winds through Roosevelt, Medicine Bow, and Routt National Forests, and through small, mountain and ranching communities.


  • Runner 1: Stephanie Wuerth
  • Runner 2: Kelley Hess (co-captain)
  • Runner 3: Serena Eley (team captain)
  • Runner 4: Kate Kostal
  • Runner 5: Kamalah Chang
  • Runner 6: Sarah Saffa
  • Runner 7: Nicole Drummer
  • Runner 8: Lea Karavias
  • Runner 9: Stephanie Hutson
  • Runner 10: Jordan Wirfs-Brock
  • Runner 11: Kanupriya Pande
  • Runner 12: Ana Houseal
  • Driver:  Tim Drummer
  • Hosts:  Tim & Nicole Drummer, The Hess Family
  • Race Volunteer 1: Lisa Talcott 
  • Race Volunteer 2: Friend of Sarah Saffa
  • Race Volunteer 3: JB Hess
Date  August 7-8, 2009
Course

"The starting line for the Wild West Relay is in northeast Fort Collins at the Budweiser Tour Center about an hour 15-minute drive from Denver.

The route begins by heading north through rural Larimer County, alternating between paved and dirt roads, passing ranches and reservoirs. The relay then turns west towards the foothills passing through Owl Canyon before joining Hwy 287 north for a 3-mile stretch to The Forks and Red Feather Lakes Rd.

The course turns west on Red Feather Lakes Road through the small community of Livermore. A climb takes runners to the mountain town of Red Feather Lakes. Just past Red Feather Lakes, the road forks and runners take Deadman Road entering Roosevelt National Forest. After crossing the summit of Sand Creek Pass (10,269 feet), the road descends to Laramie River Road, which parallels the Laramie River. Runners then enters Wyoming, passing through the tiny town of Jelm to the third Van Exchange at Woods Landing.

The course then turns south, entering Medicine Bow National Forest as runners head back to Colorado, passing through the small border town of Wycolo. After a short stretch through the Colorado State Forest, the Relay enters North Park - with views of the Rocky Mountains off to the west - and the ranching town of Walden.

The final stretch continues south through North Park - and the fifth Van Exchange in sage covered ranch land - before entering the Routt National Forest. Here the climb up Rabbit Ears Pass commences. Now Get Your Ass Over the Pass! - Rabbit Ears Pass - and the Continental Divide (9573 feet). After a fast descent, runners enter the outskirts of Steamboat Springs.

The final leg, on the Core Trail bike path, parallels the Yampa River before entering downtown Steamboat Springs. Crossing Main Street, runners pass through a residential neighborhood before joining the Butcherknife Trail. The trail feeds runners directly on to the track and the finish at Steamboat Springs Middle School."  (Description from race website, with a few adjustments)
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