Bulldog 5k, 10k, and Half Marathon

Just miles from the Colorado-New Mexico border, the small city of Trinidad, Colo., is one of those hidden gems of the West, a place known for both its breathtaking natural beauty thanks to the Sangre De Cristo Mountains that look out onto this city that's home to about 10,000 residents, as well as its historic architecture and Victorian-style homes, which have drawn retirees from around the country.

Runners get the chance to make their way through its downtown streets and along stretches of the city's riverwalk along the Purgatoire River at the all-new Bulldog Run Half Marathon, 10K and 5K, which is being organized by and run as a benefit for the class of 2014 at the Primero School District in nearby Weston, a small town that lies about 20 miles west of Trinidad.

For the race itself, runners will follow an out-and-back course that starts and finishes at the corner of Church and Convent Streets in Trinidad, next to Trinidad Catholic School. From there, runners will make their way along the brick streets of the city's downtown and later onto the riverwalk, followed by stretches along Linden Avenue and Main Street, which organizers note feature "several easy inclines and descents."

After they head through town, runners in the half marathon and the 10K will get to see the vast plains that lie just outside the outskirts of Trinidad, with expansive views of the Sangre De Cristo Mountains off in the distance, and runners should catch a glimpse during this stretch of Fisher's Peak, the basalt-topped mesa that stands at about 9,600 feet above sea level looking out over the valley, and was likely formed by lava flows from an ancient volcano more than a million years ago.

If you're not used to the altitude -- Trinidad lies at just over 6,000 feet above sea level -- the hills certainly won't be the only challenge at the race. The scheduled starting time for the race is 8:00 AM.