With 8” of Fresh Snow, Old Man Winter Rally will be Epic

We’ve got 8″ of fresh snow, temperatures below zero overnight and a race in just a few short days from now. Now for the tough, last minute bike and tire choices…. 29er? Gravel bike?

BOULDER, CO (February 3, 2022) /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – Ask any outdoor event director what their biggest worry is and many will answer with two words: “The weather”. Though Josh Kravetz, Race Director of the Old Man Winter Rally and founder of Adventure Fit Productions, might say the same thing, his worry is on the opposite side of the spectrum: not enough weather–specifically snow. After the recent snowstorm in Colorado, Kravetz has a smile on his face.

The 8th annual Old Man Winter Bike and Run Rally coming up this Sunday, February 6th now has 8 inches of snow to reinforce the legitimacy behind its tagline: “Epic Winter Adventure.” Josh Kravetz explains, “This event has seen every type of weather Colorado is known to deliver. We’ve had a few years where folks were riding and running with bare arms and legs–ending up with mild sunburns. And then there have been years when the snow has been blowing sideways (like 2020). This year we got lucky with the perfect combination: 8 inches of snow early in the week with blue skies and Colorado sunshine forecasted for Sunday.”

Conditions on Sunday are likely to be packed snow, with the possibility of some mud since the sun will be out for the rest of the week. Runners on the 10K course will likely need to wear shoes with deep lugs or microspikes. Cyclists will need traction on their tires  – Kravetz advises against slick road tires. Those who take on the 100K bike course will climb up into the foothills and ride down a number of curvy descents on snowy roads, so bystanders will likely see some athletes on mountain bikes as their weapon of choice for the 62 mile course.

The current registration list boasts world-renowned, pro athletes such as endurance athlete Anton Krupicka, pro cyclists Alex Howes (EF Education First – Nippo Pro Cycling), Ruth Winder (Trek-Segafredo), Jake McGee and several members from the Cinch Cycling team. But as an event that was created to be a fun, community fitness-based adventure, Kravetz has been equally thrilled to see amateur athletes and weekend warriors sign up as well.

“Colorado and this area, in particular, has its fair share of elite-level athletes – so the event has always been an attraction for this group of athletes. The quest for this year’s prize purse is going to be exciting, to say the least,” states Kravetz. “However, we’re also excited to see our whole running and riding community back together again. We’ve got first-time racers, national champion age-groupers, folks battling cancer with their training, families running the 10K together for the first time, and High School mountain bike and cross country teams. We still have a few days left to register, so who knows who else we’ll see at the start-line,” adds Kravetz.

This year a $3000 prize purse will be split among the winners of the 100K bike race / five deep.  For all other categories, the top 3 finishers will receive over $1000 in product / gift-card prizes.

For those athletes and participants who aren’t “in it to win it”, Old Man Winter 2022 offers the Snowflakes Scavenger Hunt. Back by popular demand and exclusive to the Old Man Winter Rally, along the course will be over 100 foam “Snowflakes” which participants can pick up for a guaranteed prize at the after-party. Cold beer, hot food, and s’mores will be roasting over bonfires, while live music plays in Laverne Johnson Park from 11am – 5pm.

Athletes can register online the rest of this week and choose from the following  packet pick ups:

• 4-7 PM, Friday, Feb. 4th: Rapha – 1815 Pearl St., Downtown Boulder (Get 20% off all Rapha products at packet pick up).
• 1-5 PM, Saturday, Feb. 5th: STIO – 1505 Pearl st. Downtown Boulder (Get 20% off all products at packet pick up).

Finally, in true Colorado-community fashion, a portion of the Old Man Winter Rally proceeds will be going to the Boulder County Wildfire Fund. Learn more and register at www.oldmanwinterrally.com.