Last year, Erik Skaggs, above, took top honors for the men at the Kennebec Mountain Run. The challenging 15-mile run returns to the La Platas on Aug. 1, at which time Skaggs will return to defend his title./Photo by Brendan Trimboli

The long run

Kennebec Mountain just the beginning for local trail-running scene

by Luke Mehall

One of Durango’s most scenic races, the Kennebec Mountain Run, is also one of the more obscure. This year, race organizer Brendan Trimboli, along with the Durango Running Club (DRC) is reaching out to reach more runners for the challenging, 15-mile mountain run slated for Sat., Aug 1. It’s just the beginning of what Trimboli, who is the president of the DRC, hopes will be an opening of more local trails to longer races and a celebration of our town’s ever-growing trail running culture.

For years, the Kennebec race has ebbed and flowed with participation and promotion. It has swelled to well over 100 runners and dipped to around 60 last year. This year, Trimboli, winner of the race in 2012, will be directing Kennebec for the first time. He compares the course to the ever-popular Imogene Pass run from Ouray to Telluride, which attracts nearly a thousand suitors per year.

“It’s like a slightly easier Imogene,” Trimboli said. “There’s about 3,000 feet of elevation gain, and some very steep climbing.”

One unique aspect of the Kennebec run is that the course changes directions each year, making it feel like a different run from one year to the next. This year the race will run up Columbus Basin and down Cumberland Basin. For Trimboli, the course showcases the beauty of the La Plata Mountains.

 “Many people don’t know what the La Platas have to offer, and this race really showcases what a gem those mountains are,” he noted. “Hopefully we’ll attract some out of towners this year as well.”

Three aid stations will be on the course, stocked with water, endurance drinks, snacks and basic first aid supplies. Trimboli is putting an effort into making the awards ceremony-after party more engaging and fun. “We’ll have food, drinks, music, a raffle, and people will be soaking their legs in the nearby river,” he explained, and also noted “It’s BYOB.”

The raffle is often quite generous at Kennebec, and last year nearly every runner walked away with a prize. The winners, of course, got the best prizes, with male champion, Erik Skaggs, and female champion, Kathryn Ross, walking away with a gift certificate for a massive pie from the Kennebec Café. (Both will return this year to defend their titles.) Durango Outdoor Gear Exchange, Durango Running Co., Montrail and Santé are all also generously sponsoring the event, with Raider Ridge providing post race food.

Trimboli sees the Kennebec Mountain Run as a starting point for a larger vision to showcase our region’s trail system. He’s working on a positive relationship with the U.S. Forest Service, with hopes it will approve permits for more races, including an ultra marathon. In the last five years he feels the Durango running scene has become a vibrant hub of some of the top ultra runners in the country, but the town lacks a race of its own.

“It really seems like more and more runners are moving to Durango,” he said. “We are becoming known for our runners, in fact at the infamous Hardrock 100 race, eight of the 150 runners were from Durango. That puts us right up there with places like Boulder, Missoula and Flagstaff.”

Brendan Trimboli, winner of the 2012 Kennebec Run, is serving as the director for this year’s race. He said Durango is becoming known for its running scene, adding that eight of the 150 runners at the recent Hardrock 100, which brings in competitors from around the world, call Durango home./Photo by Jennaye Derge

Worth noting, Trimboli himself came in ninth place at the most recent Hardrock 100.

In addition to the hardcore athlete, the Durango Running Club (previously known as Durango Motorless Transit) has been working at attracting more casual runners and serious weekend warriors such as those who make up the majority of Kennebec racers. Throughout the year, group runs are organized, with the hopes of promoting a healthy active lifestyle and connecting runners within the community.

“It’s so cool to see people meeting through the running club and then getting out on adventures together,” Trimboli shared. “Our participation is up, and it feels like we’re reaching a critical mass with these group runs.”

In addition to the fresh energy of competitive ultra runners on the scene, Trimboli added that the fact that a new running store, Durango Running Co., will be opening shortly in town. He also plans to do more community outreach to the local high school and college-aged runners.

Registration for the Kennebec Mountain Run is open until Thurs., July 30. The entry fee is $50 and will go up to $60 the day of. The race kicks off at 8 a.m.

At the moment there are 75 pre-registered racers. Trimboli is hoping for a “sweet spot” of a hundred-plus runners. People are encouraged to carpool as parking is tight at the start of the race. Kling Mountain Guides will be offering van shuttles rides to the race start from the La Plata City campground. Proceeds from the race will benefit La Plata County Search and Rescue.

 “I think it’s key to keep the proceeds from a race within the community, and each and every person who ventures out into the wild around Durango relies on search and rescue whether they realize it or not,” Trimboli said. “It’s a good entity to support.”

Trimboli hopes that this year provides a foundation for growth within the Kennebec Mountain Run, as well as the overall trail-running race scene in the area. “I’ve never talked to anyone who has been disappointed in the race, and I think it will help build a foundation for a series of more trail races.”

To register or to get more information please visit the Durango Running Club’s website at: www.durangorunning club.com.