Blisters & Brews: 5K Fundraiser Race
New for 2016! Blisters & Brews is a 5k Fundraiser Race giving Festival patrons the opportunity to exercise before they imbibe. The 5k Race, sponsored by BootDoctors™ Paragon Outdoors, will raise money for the Telluride Adaptive Sports Program in remembrance of dear festival friend Felix Snow. Read more about Felix Snow below.
Beginning and ending in Telluride's Elks Park, Blisters & Brews provides runners with a safe, beautiful way to kick off their Saturday in downtown Telluride. The route and start / finish area have been planned to enhance the running experience and highlight the beauty of the heart of Telluride. The race route climbs up the river trail giving racers the opportunity to take in the beauty of the Bridal Veil Falls on the way up and a gentle decline for the way back down to town and ending at Elks Park followed by live music and the free Blues & Brews Yoga Sessions to bring the pre-Grand Tasting zen to a maximum.
To register for the 5k Race, please click here.
Saturday, September 17, 2016
7:15 - 8:00 am Registration Open
8:30 am 5K Race Start
9:30 am Awards Ceremony
10:00 am Free Yoga Sessions
The Course
Course begins Elks Park and climbs up the bike path to Pandora Mine and returns along the same route. Racers will follow Colorado Avenue east and pick up the river trail, climbing to the Pandora mine. Racers will turn around and enjoy cruising down to the finish at Elks Park. Two aid stations will provide water electrolytes and snacks.
Race Communication
Pre-race emails will be sent out to all participants twice. The first email will go out on Friday, September 9th. The second will go out on Tuesday, September 13th. Race packets can be picked up at BootDoctors™ Paragon Outdoors on Friday, September 16th and at Elks Park on the morning of the race beginning at 7:15 a.m.
Remembering Felix Snow
Felix Snow’s life was lemonade. He had plenty of lemons – likely more than most of us could have handled. He lost the use of his legs after a car crash, but rather than bemoan the hand he was dealt, he faced his changed life with courage, humor, and passionate engagement. When he passed away earlier this year, the Telluride community reeled with sorrow. Felix was a fixture at many of Telluride’s festivals and Blues and Brews was no different.
He served with Festival Communications Director, Luci Reeve, who admired him for his intelligence and charisma. “Felix was such a people person. He helped people. He also kept people in line. You cannot argue with a man in a wheelchair.” Festival Director Steve Gumble calls Felix “larger than life,” and few would argue with that assessment. He was wicked smart, bitingly funny, and that voice! Oh, that voice. His resonant baritone got him work in voice acting, and when he laughed the world laughed with him.
This year, Telluride Blues and Brews has partnered with Bootdoctors Paragon Outdoors for the first-ever Blisters & Brews 5K Fundraiser Race on Saturday, September 17, beginning and ending in Elks Park, in the heart of Telluride. The race will raise money for the Telluride Adaptive Sports Program in remembrance of our dear friend, Felix.
Steve said it’s the perfect way to honor someone who gave his heart, soul and energy to the festival and to the community at large. “He was such an integral part of our community,” Steve said. “He fit in with our family vibe and wanted to help out however he could. We loved him.”
Words by Suzanne Cheavens, Festival Biographer