Grand Traverse tests the summer waters

Crested Butte to Aspen “fun run”

The Grand Traverse organizing committee, spearheaded by race co-director Bryan Wickenhauser, is putting plans in motion to include a running race, and possibly a bike race, from Crested Butte to Aspen under the umbrella of the Grand Traverse.
“We’ve got this brand and we’d like to grow it in the summer,” says Wickenhauser.
The first step in that process will be an exploratory “fun run” on Saturday, July 21 starting at 5:30 a.m. at the Crested Butte Community School. The fun run is open to everyone and can be done in full or as an out and back. The main purpose is to get some insight into what it would take to pull off a race like the Grand Traverse in the summer.
“This year is kind of a ‘feel it out’ year to get our ducks in a row, with the intention of establishing a fully permitted and sanctioned race for next year,” says Wickenhauser.
The course for this year’s fun run will start at the Community School, head up Tony’s Trail, the Upper Loop to Whetstone Vista and then onto Brush Creek Road. The route will then head up Trail 400, over Star Pass and follow the trail high above the valley floor to the Taylor Pass Road and to Taylor Pass. Fun runners will then head up and down Gold Hill and follow Richmond Ridge to the top of Aspen Mountain before dropping down into Aspen. The route will be close to 40 miles long with 8,000 vertical feet of climbing.
“We’re going to try to stick as close as possible to the winter course,” says Wickenhauser.
Participants in the fun run must be self-supported as there will be no aid stations, but there is also no entry fee and Wickenhauser is trying to organize some shuttles back from Aspen for a fee.
“I think it will get legs,” says Wickenhauser. “It’s an established route that ties two towns together.”
Wickenhauser would like to throw a mountain bike race into the mix as well next summer.
“All the infrastructure and people will be out there so we’re kicking around the idea of a bike race as well,” explains Wickenhauser. “It’ll be a benefit for the Crested Butte Nordic Center, just like the winter ski race.”
Looking ahead to winter and changing hats, Irwin Rando Race co-director Wickenhauser pointed out that he and Irwin have set the date for this year’s ski mountaineering race for Saturday, December 8.