Got plans this weekend in Colorado? Here are 7 suggestions for active fun
What are you doing this weekend?
Hiking? Running? Biking? Camping? Snowboarding? Kayaking? SUPing? (SUPing, is that a verb?)
There are plenty of fun activities to choose from, and we hope to see you Out There enjoying Colorado.
Please tag us (@outthereco) when you share photos on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram – and look for photos from some of these events on the website in days to come.
Got a favorite event coming up? Send us the details.
Annual Pueblo Riverwalk Stand Up Paddle Race
The Pueblo Play Park is running at 2600 cfs and everyone’s invited to get a bit wet.
An inaugural stand-up paddleboard race series will be held, beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday (June 6). The racecourse is short and simple, making it a great event for experienced SUP sprinters and beginners. Each racer will be outfitted with a board, paddle and personal flotation device.
If you’re new to stand-up paddleboarding, arrive early for a brief training session.
There will be separate racing classes for men, women, youth (12-15) and kids (11 and younger). All you need are a towel, swimwear and $5 entry. All entry fees go to cash prizes for the winners.
Stick around for a barbecue competition, live music, 30 craft brewers and more.
This year’s competitions, art interactives, concerts and more began Thursday and continue through Sunday (June 7). Weekend events include kayaking, mountain biking, running (half marathon), disc golfing, slacklining, SUP riding (yep, even SUP yoga!) and a mud run.
Cycling in Buena Vista and Cycling Castle Rock
If you like two-wheeled fun, you might join the 17th annual Buena Vista Bike Fest, hosted by the Colorado Springs Cycling Club, or Elephant Rock in Castle Rock.
Choose among a 35-mile, half century, metric century or century ride in Buena Vista, with energetic and helpful folks at aid stations along the routes and a party afterward at McPhelemy Park in Buena Vista. You can register for your choice of ride beginning at 6:30 a.m. Saturday (June 6).
Elephant Rock offers century, metric century, 40-mile, 27-mile and 8-mile family rides as well as a kids race on Sunday (June 7). You can register 4-8 p.m. Saturday (June 6) or 5:30-9 a.m. Sunday (June 7) at the events center at the Douglas County Fairgrounds. If you’re registering this weekend, check the start time for your ride and plan accordingly.
Mountain biking in Castle Rock
This year’s ERock mountain bike event is the Sunrise Sunset ride Saturday (June 6) at a new venue, Philip S. Miller Park in Castle Rock. It’s on a new 6.5-mile, 90-percent singletrack course. On-site registration begins at 6 a.m. (cash or check only). You can enter solo or part of a two-, three-, four- or five-person team.
Big Dog Brag – The Funner Mud Run – at RAM Off Road Park in Colorado Springs
Big Dog promises the most obstacles of any mud run of its size – at least 25 in a 5K- on Saturday (June 6). And there’s a 2K Little Dog for active kids age 5 and older.
You can enter online Friday or at the event Saturday (June 6).
The first wave of runners sets out at 8:30 a.m. and waves follow every 15 minutes.
UPDATE: See photos from Saturday’s run!
Anglers are invited to fish Saturday (June 6) and Sunday (June 7) without shelling out for a license, courtesy of Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
Day-use fees still apply at state parks, generally $7 per vehicle.
Lake Pueblo State Park, Quail Lake in Colorado Springs and Monument Lake in Monument are holding special events for kids. The first 100-400 kids at various events will receive a free fishing pole.
UPDATE: See photos from Saturday’s free fishing day!
Hundreds of runners got muddy and had fun at the Big Dog Brag in 2013. Mark Reis, The Gazette file
Kayaking competition at the GoPro Mountain Games in Vail. Courtesy of GoPro Mountain Games and Zach Mahone Photography
Cyclists conquer a hill on one of the courses during the annual Elephant Rock Cycling Festival in 2013. Around 8,000 people joined the day’s rides. The Gazette file
Garrett Wilson of Lafayette readies his bike for the 24 Hours of ERock bicycle race in 2010 at Greenland Open Space. The 2015 race, Sunrise Sunset, will be held at the new Philip S. Miller Park in Castle Rock. The Gazette file