Running Up for Air - Staunton Rocks

Running Up for Air unites our community over a shared passion for running and a desire to drive real, lasting change in the fight for cleaner air. Through endurance events and strategic partnerships, every mile and vertical foot run and every hour volunteered amplifies support for nonprofits dedicated to air quality solutions, ensuring even small donations have greater impact. We tread lightly on the trails while standing firm in our commitment to a healthier planet and cleaner air for all.

Running Up for Air is a growing collection of endurance events created to amplify informed dialogue and empower individuals and organizations actively working on air quality solutions. Proceeds from Up For Air events are directed at carefully selected and vetted non-profit groups who demonstrate high value influence strategies and efforts in the battle for better air. The race platform is used to expose participants and the general public to science-based material about the importance of healthy air. All events are conducted with a minimal footprint philosophy.

Running Up For Air-Staunton is the Colorado edition of the Running Up for Air Series: a 3, 6, or 12-hour winter endurance challenge that takes place at Staunton State Park in Pine, Colorado.  Now in its 10th year, Running Up for Air Staunton was launched in 2017 to raise money in support of the fight for improved air quality for those who live along the front range of Colorado - extending all the way from Ft. Collins to Pueblo where air quality is a real and significant issue.  The race concept is pretty simple:  participants run a 7.1 mile marked trail loop as many times as possible in the allotted time. Each lap offers just over 1600' of gain, and conditions can be tricky in the winter months - think snow and ice! The time of year - February - is intentional as it coincides with the latter part of the winter inversion "season" here in Colorado. Given the time of year, the route is inevitably almost entirely snow and/or ice covered and can easily involve harsh winter mountain conditions.

RUFA-Staunton is scheduled for February 6, 2027. This year we've made the tough decision not to offer the 24-hour edition, mostly because our 24-hour registrations have been declining and it's hard to justify the cost, support, volunteer time and all that come with having us all there overnight.  If enough of you - 25 at least - are determined to run overnight, let us know and we'll fire that back up.   All runners are expected to become fundraisers to support the good work of our selected nonprofit partners:  Conservation Colorado Education Fund and Western Resource Advocates, both chosen for their hard work improving our air quality and preserving and protecting our natural environment.  

Wanna run for free: If you raise 10X your registration fee, you will be refunded what you paid to run the race!