A Look at This Year's Dam Run

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The In-Person 9th annual Dam Run at Castlewood Canyon is set for Sunday, September 18, 2022.

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Keep moving, be safe and get out on the trail.  We look forward to having you participate in the 2022 Dam Run at Castlewood Canyon.  Just click HERE to register.

 

Registration:

Register is available online at runningguru.com.

Park entrance fees are included with registration.

When registering online, there will be a small processing fee added to the registration fee.

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Refunds:

There are no refunds.

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Directions:

On the morning of the Dam Run, please enter at Castlewood Canyon State Park's main entrance which is located 5 miles south of Franktown on Highway 83. Your park entrance fee is included in your race entry, so you will not need to pay at the park entrance. The start and finish lines will be at the Canyon Point parking lot. Proceed to the Canyon Point parking lot.  

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Parking:

​Participants will park at Canyon Point parking lot.  If the Canyon Point parking lot is full, there are several smaller parking lots nearby. Please refer to the Castlewood Canyon State Park Map for more detailed information on location of parking lots. 

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​​Course descriptions:

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The 10K - This trail run is all about variety of terrain on the trails! A true trail run - no asphalt here! This challenging race starts and ends at the Canyon Point parking lot.  You will start at the Lake Gulch trail head and run down the Lake Gulch trail to the Dam trail where you will see remnants of the Castlewood Dam.  You will run up a steep incline to Rimrock where you will run along the rim of the canyon. Enjoy the views, but don't take your eyes off the trail for too long - running on the rim rocks is a little tricky! You will then head down a challenging and technical descent to Creek Bottom trail where you will cross Cherry Creek, run along the creek and past the beautiful waterfalls. You will then run back up the Dam trail to Inner Canyon trail, cross the creek and up steep steps to the finish line at the Inner Canyon trail head where we will be cheering for you.

 

The 5K - For the first 0.8 miles, runners in both events will share the course.  After crossing Cherry Creek at the bottom of Lake Gulch trail, 5K runners will turn right and enter the Inner Canyon trail. At 1.6 miles, after a steep ascent, 5K runners will emerge from the canyon and complete the remainder of the distance on the paved Canyon View Nature Trail.  For the final 0.2 miles, 5K runners will re-join the 10K course to finish in the same location.  

 

Hikers are welcome on either course and are encouraged to be part of this year's event!

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RUN OPTIONS:

• 5k Registration:     See Registration options at runningguru.com
• 10k Registration:   See Registration options at runningguru.com

Want more trail running?  See the State Park Duo Series details below.

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Restrictions:

NO dogs or strollers are allowed on either course.

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After Your Run:

Yes, its BACK!  A Pancake Breakfast is provided to all 5K and 10K race entrants! Our volunteers will be cooking delicious homemade flapjacks on their giant grill.  Come join in the fun with this "Pursuit of the Pancakes" trail run through Castlewood Canyon State Park..

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Awards:

All registered runners will be rewarded with a "Friends of Castlewood Canyon" buff, as well as a race medal commemorating this year's Run and "Pursuit of the Pancakes" coffee mug! Buffs will be provided with the registration packets, with medals & coffee mugs to be given to each runner as you complete the Run. After your run, be sure to share your wildlife encounters and impressions of the trail with our support volunteers. And, be sure to post your best run pictures on Facebook and tag Castlewood Canyon State Park!

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Number of Participants: Limited to 200

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Fastest Times:

While we do see some serious runners at this event, it is a fundraiser and all levels of ability are welcome. Participants walking along at a quick pace are just as appreciated as those trying to achieve a best time. Please join us in enjoying the trails at sunrise!

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Want More Trail Running?

Once again, Castlewood Canyon has partnered with Cheyenne Mountain State Park to offer a variety of combinations for the State Park Duo Series.  Run at Castlewood Canyon State Park on September 19th and then at Cheyenne Canyon State Park on October 9th.

 

Register for both runs and receive one of the following reduced pricing combinations:

The Dam Run at Castlewood Canyon 10k and the Cheyenne Mountain 25k

• Present to September 5th:  $105 for both runs

• After September 5th to September 17th:  $120 for both runs

 

The Dam Run at Castlewood Canyon 10k and the Cheyenne Mountain 10k

• Present to September 5th:  $85 for both runs

• After September 5th to September 17th:  $100 for both runs

 

The Dam Run at Castlewood Canyon 5k and the Cheyenne Mountain 5k Run 

• Present to September 5th:  $60 for both runs

• After September 5th to September 17th:  $70 for both runs

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