After years of running the grueling half marathon at Robie Creek, Bart Davis had an idea. Instead of just running the 13.1 miles up and down the steep Aldape Peak summit, why not turn around and do it all over again?
Davis’ company, Rivertown Racing, came up with its own brand new race: the Double Robie on September 28. The race will be a full marathon – beginning and ending at Fort Boise. Runners will climb 3,800 feet over 26.2 miles.
That may sound daunting, but Davis says runners in the Treasure Valley are ready for the challenge.
“Runners in the Treasure Valley have embraced the Race to Robie Creek," says Davis. "But now, we’re finding that runners are looking to push things further and further than they ever have.”
Davis says the practice of so-called “ultra running” has swept the nation, and Boise is no exception.
But for runners who want the incline but a shorter distance than a marathon, there is another race option.
The Aldape Challenge is 16.6 miles that will also start at Fort Boise, and includes the 2,000 foot summit.
When it comes to training, Davis says people who ran Robie Creek in April are in a great position for either September race. He says runners should slowly add distance and throw in some hills as they prepare.
“Making sure that people get enough hill training is always the key. But the good thing is: people still have lots of time to prepare for a late September race like this.”
Between the two races, there will be a limit of one thousand participants. Davis says that with the cooler fall temperatures, he’s hoping these races will be the perfect close to the running season.
Copyright 2013 Boise State Public Radio
