For A Gorgeous Run: Take It To The Lake

If you want to run a half-marathon, but don’t want to pound the pavement in some smoggy city, how about this: A dirt road among aspen-filled mountains, bathed in clean air and the music of nature? That’s what you get with Take It to the Lake, a half-marathon, 10k and kids’ fun run in White Pine County, Nev., scheduled for Sept. 21, 2019.  “It’s probably one of the prettier half-marathons you could do,” said Nancy Herms, president of Ely Outdoor Enthusiasts, the event sponsor.  The race is also a high-elevation challenge. It starts in Duck Creek Valley, at an elevation of 7,400 feet, about 35 miles northeast of Ely. Then it continues on a dirt and gravel road known as Success Loop to a summit at 8,968 feet. From there, it’s nearly all downhill to the finish line at Cave Lake State Park.  That makes for a total elevation gain of about 1,600 feet.  

“It’s a great event, because ultra and extreme trail runs are becoming more common, and more people are wanting to challenge themselves,” said Herms.  The race is also a perfect choice for urban runners who want to escape the heat of late summer and try something new. The average September high temperature in Ely is just 76 degrees, with an average overnight low of 38 degrees. Temperatures will be even lower on the race course, because it starts 1,000 feet higher than Ely.  The entire route is flanked on the east by the dramatic scenery of the High Schells Wilderness, which features some of the most jaw-dropping mountain views in all of Nevada. The 121,000-acre wilderness includes rugged cliffs and canyons, with small creeks tumbling off peaks over 11,000 feet.  Runners pass through dense groves of pine, juniper, mahogany and aspen trees, with gorgeous views on every side.

Chris Barnes, an Ely resident, has run the race four times. She describes it as “super challenging”, due to the elevation gain over the first half of the course. But also very rewarding.  “I love the scenery,” she said. “If it wasn’t for the scenery — the beautiful scenery — I think it would make it much more challenging. It distracts you from the fact that it’s very difficult on the uphill part. And then when you finish at the lake, it’s perfect.”  This year, organizers have added an additional challenge at the finish: Jump into Cave Lake after finishing and you’ll receive a surprise memento.   All runners receive a t-shirt, goodie bag and a finishing medal, with prizes for top finishers. The race is followed by a barbecue and raffle at Cave Lake. The race is also a qualifying event for the Utah full- and half-marathon series.  Entrance fees are $50 for the half-marathon, $40 for the 10k, and $10 for the kids’ fun run (a 1-mile event on pavement at Cave Lake State Park). Participants can also walk the half-marathon route, or run it as a 2-person relay team. The 10k starts at Success Summit, avoiding the most difficult uphill sections.  “I would encourage anyone to participate, just to challenge themselves and enjoy one of the most beautiful half-marathons in Nevada,” Herms said.

For more information:

 Ely Outdoor Enthusiasts:

http://www.elyoutdoorenthusiasts.org/take-it-to-the-lake.html