Results	Chatfield Double Dip April 4 race postponed due to weather. New date is Sunday, April 26, 8:30am. Chatfield State Park, Littleton Twist and turn, on a mix of single-track and dirt paths, along the S. Platte river. Mostly flat with  a few short hills, approx 150'-200' of climbing total. Mostly good footing, with some sandy sections, log jumps, and two stream crossings. Depending on weather, the trail could be dry, muddy, or icy. You will be in and out of the trees, with varying light conditions.
Driving Directions
Carpool
Course blow-by-blow
Rules
Course Measurement & Markings
Weather

Registration: $15 in advance. $20 on race day.*
Applications:    Online      Print & Mail
*Does not include park pass - $6/car. Please carpool to save money, gas, carbon. This does not apply if you have an annual state parks pass. You can purchase an annual pass in advance at many REI, King Soopers, Safeway, and other stores. For more info on Chatfield State Park and daily/annual passes, please visit the Chatfield State Park site. 

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Course description, blow-by-blow (Chatfield map and directions): The course will be extremely well marked for the race.

The first 1.75mi is out in the open. Start along the E side of the gravel pond, just S of the large dirt lot, between the two chains. Head S, around the second chain, along the wide path. At ~¼ mi, you'll pass a trail coming in from the left. Stay right on the wide path, but you'll finish from that trail. Continue as the path curves right around the S side of the pond. The path gets soft as is rises. Just before the top of the rise, go left onto a single track, ~0.75mi. Wind your way S, past the 1mi marker, just before the gazebo. The trail curves right at the gazebo, then merges back with the wide path. Go left, S on the wide path. Just before the parking lot, follow the path to the left. By the bathrooms, go left onto a single track, 1.75mi.

The next section, to mi 4, is almost all single-track, and in the trees. Go E on the trail for ~100m. Go left, then stay to the right (don't take the trail on the far left). In ~30m, take the first right. You'll pass under the power lines and get your first glimpse of the S Platte river at 2mi. The trail twists and turns along the river. There are numerous side trails. Always choose the one that's closest to the river. At ~2.5mi, the trail opens up onto a horse path. Follow it N for ~75m, then go right back onto a single-track, and into the trees. You'll cross a wide path, coming from the left, at 3mi. Continue N. There are several short, 2-step, ups and downs. Run onto an asphalt path at ~3.75mi. Pass mi 4, then an aid station just before the road.

Climb a short hill to the road. Go right on the road, stay on the shoulder, and cross the bridge over the path. On the other side, stay outside the green wooden posts, around to the right, and back onto a trail.

Take an immediate left after the fence opening. Shortly thereafter, cross a paved path, and back onto a single-track on the other side. This will lead to the first real climb of the day, ~30' climb, up a gradual, sandy, wide path. Run across the bluff, then veer right onto a single-track, down a short steep hill, and back into the trees. In another ~300m, as you leave the trees, you'll see a pond. Stay right to the first water crossing.

It's ~6-7 strides across, and knee deep. For those who did this race in 2007, they've all but blocked access to the log crossing. That means either bushwhacking, or getting wet. Might as well jump in. It's faster. Continue along the W side of the pond for ~250m. Take the first left, at 5mi, and curve along the S side of the pond to the second water crossing. This one is only shoe deep, and a 1-2 strides across. On the other side, stay left, and follow the trail along the E side of the pond. Stay on the lower, left trail.

Before you completely circle the pond, take a sharp right up a steep, sandy hill. Befoer the top, take the first left onto a single-track. This trail section has some overgrowing brush. The trail continues to climb, then drops steeply. Cross the wide path and head back onto the sandy single-track. You'll see runners ~1mi behind you, as they cross the bluff. Continue N up the steep, standy climb. As you gradually descend, merge right onto a wider path. Follow the wide path as it curves left, back towards the road. 6mi is near the top of the rise, before the bathrooms.

Head back onto the main road, and across the bridge. Stay on the left shoulder. Across the bridge, go left, down the hill, to the aid station. At the aid station, go right onto a horse trail; don't go back onto the ashpalt path (this is a change from 2007). In ~50m, take the first left onto a single track. You'll wind back S through the trees. The trail is pretty smooth, but watch out for some tree roots. There are some side paths, but the race route will be well marked. After ~½mi through the trees, veer right into the open, heading W. In another ~150m, at 6mi, veer right. Merge right onto the path you took at the start. Head N another ¼mi to the finish.

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Driving Directions: Take C470 to Wadsworth. Go S ~1mi. Turn left into the park. Pay the $6/car park pass (please carpool), unless you have an annual state park pass. Continue through the gate to the main park road. Turn right, and go 1.9mi to the gravel pond, just before crossing the S. Platte river.

Alternate directions from Castle Rock and points south: Take I25 to exit #184, Meadows Pkwy/Founders Pkwy. Turn left for ~1/2mi. Turn right, N on US85 for ~11mi. Take the exit ramp for Titan Rd. Go W on Titan for 2mi. Turn right on Roxborough Park Rd. 2mi ahead, pay the $6 park pass. Follow the park road for ~2mi around to the W & S. The gravel pond is just after crossing the S. Platte river.

Please follow parking instructions. Parking is allowed only at the large, oval area at the S end of the gravel pond dirt road, and the lot on the N side of the road. No parking along the dirt road, or parking spots along the gravel road (leave these open for other park users).

Create your own map/directions

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Carpool: Please carpool to save money, gas and carbon. The daily park pass for Chatfield is $6/car (unless you have an annual pass).
        PickupPal - Find riders/drivers to any Runuphill Racing event, or anywhere else you may be going.
        DenverTrail Runners - Post a message to the group.
        BoulderTrailRunners - Post a message to the group.
        Incline Club - Colo Springs area. Post a message on their message board.

Or, on race day, meet just outside the park and carpool in to save money. Meet other runners at the corner of S Wadsworth and Deer Creek Canyon. Take C470 to Wadsworth. Go S to the first light. Turn right on Deer Creek and park in the dirt along the N side. This is a common meeting place for bike riders, so look for others without bikes. I suggest meeting here by 8:00am. It's only a few minutes from the start, but you'll want the time to meet and arrange rides with other runners, drive, buy your park pass, park, register or pick up your number, and warm up.

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Weather: I have decided to postpone the April 4 race due to weather. Forecast for April 3/4 is for rain beginning Fri evening, turning to heavy snow overnight, and continuing throughout the day on Saturday. Highs only in the low 30s, with 20mph-30mph winds, and low visibility. After consulting with the park ranger, we thought is was best to postpone the race due to concerns over safety, trail conditions, and access to the course. They do not plow the parking lot, or the dirt road to the lot and start. I apologize for any inconvenience.