Park City’s mountains are often glamourized for their snow caps, ski tracks and mountain biking trails. However, one of the most overlooked sports that draws in visitors and residents alike is simple: running. Putting one foot in front of the other, soaking in the fresh air and absorbing the gorgeous scenery either on your own or with others continues to draw more and more runners to the mountains.
A community of runners
Local running ambassador Heather VandenBroek not only works toward her own marathon goals but leads a community of runners across the state of Utah.
“I am so grateful to be a part of this running community,” says VandenBroek. “From leading Offset Run Club, coaching Girls on the Run at Jeremy Ranch Elementary for six years, serving on the board of directors for Girls on the Run Utah, representing lululemon as a run ambassador, helping to organize and plan the lululemon community Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving, supporting local group runs and planning many other fun runs and events, I feel so fortunate that people show up.”
VandenBroek and her husband, Brian, are running a marathon in every U.S. state and have checked off 48 states so far. Because they both like to collect experiences, VandenBroek says, combining this journey with running was a natural fit.
“We are so fortunate to live, run and train in Park City,” she emphasizes. “Running is epic here. Hundreds of miles of trails (dirt and paved), the weather, the views and the culture are all topnotch. You can show up to a group run by yourself and leave with someone’s contact information to meet up for the next run. There is a genuine desire to share experiences together in a meaningful way outdoors, and even better if it involves an elevated heart rate and some good conversation.”
She adds, “The dedication of a hearty crew to show up to Run Club in the dark, cold, snowy evenings of winter blows me away every time. This is truly a special group and community that shows up for each other.”
Carolyn Wawra, a local runner, and her husband, Chris Neville, are also on a marathon journey but to complete one on every continent. So far, they’ve accomplished three of the seven continents. “A few years ago, we traveled to South Africa to run the Big Five Marathon in a nature preserve,” says Wawra. “We traveled with Marathon Tours and Travel, and through that group, met tons of cool people, including a few who had this goal of running a marathon on every continent. That’s where the inspiration came from.”
Wawra has been a lifelong runner, having completed 33 marathons in her lifetime. She started running in college and has always enjoyed the social aspect of the sport, meeting people every time they travel for a race. The community and friends, Wawra says, have been a blessing in more ways than one.
A few years ago, Wawra woke up and began getting ready to run a marathon in New Hampshire. After telling her friends and family she wasn’t feeling well and pulling out of the race, she collapsed and had a stroke.
“Running is and always has been good for my mental health,” says Wawra. “Recovery from my stroke would have been so much harder without this outlet. I was able to get back to running just three months after, and even ran a 5K race.”
She was able to bounce back quickly and credits the people around her and the sport of running for keeping her spirits high. Throughout the year, Wawra meets up with friends to run and keep one another active. With a naturally outgoing personality, Wawra never has a hard time meeting people. Whether at Basin Recreation Fieldhouse, or out on the miles of trails the Park City area has to offer and even through workout classes, Wawra loves to introduce herself and build the social circle.
“The support I received from the running community, my running friends and the whole town since the stroke has been really spectacular,” says Wawra. “They all really stepped up for me. My social group stepped in too. I didn’t know I was building this community when I started running to survive a stroke.”
Where to plug in
For runners visiting and living in the Park City area, there are plenty of options to get involved and find a group. Rendezvous Run, a store in Kimball Junction, carries essentials for runners, hikers and walkers and hosts weekly run clubs and events for all levels. Rain or shine, snow or sleet, the group meets before and after work to connect and run area trails.
Hannah Stoughton, owner of Rendezvous Run, noticed a gap in the Park City community and filled that need with the store. As the town continued to attract runners, it also needed a place for runners to go and get fitted and stock up with shoes, apparel and more.
“We opened Rendezvous Run last summer with the goal of helping runners and walkers of all levels find the right gear to get outside and enjoy our beautiful community,” says Stoughton. “Our team enjoys helping people feel confident and more knowledgeable about what works best for them. We carry shoes from all the major brands and offer custom insole fittings to help dial in comfort and performance. We also host run club several times a week, giving runners a consistent place to meet up, log some miles and connect with others in the local running community. You can find details about all of our events and run clubs on our website.”
VandenBroek also leads a weekly run club on Wednesday evenings from Offset Bier tap room. This group runs two- and four-mile loops (dogs are welcome to join) and then connects over local brews.
“We wanted to create a space for people to gather and run while socializing and meeting new people without any pressure of running a specific pace,” says VandenBroek. “Run club is a welcoming, comfortable place to show up by yourself, run a few miles and hang out afterward. You show up once and you are a member. That’s it.” She adds, “It makes me so happy when people say they met some of their closest friends at run club.”
Looking for an activity around Park City? Lace up your shoes, join a local run club and enjoy the Park City mountains and trails by foot.
VandenBroek emphasizes, “We live in a playground of endless opportunities to get outside and open ourselves to new experiences, places and people.”
Sampling of Trails to Check Out
State Route 224: Run from Kimball Junction all the way to Main Street … and back
Willow Creek: The 1.1-mile loop around Willow Creek is flat, soft and beautiful
Old Ranch Road: Looking for more beyond Willow Creek? Turn left on Old Ranch Road and run where the horses roam
Rail Trail: From Prospector, run a flat out and back route along the old Park City railroad trail
Annual Running Events
May 16: Running with Ed, Park City Education Foundation
June 6: Park City Trail Series 5K
July 4: 4th of July Fun Run 5K, Park City Ski and Snowboard
July 4: Main-to-Main 5K and 10K, Heber Valley Chamber
July 11: Park City Trail Series 10K
July 18: Jupiter Peak 25K, part of the Mountain Trails Foundation’s Triple Trail Challenge
August 1: Park City Trail Series Half Marathon
August 8: Runtastic Heber Half Marathon, 5K and half-mile, supports a local autism charity
August 15: Mid-Mountain 50K, part of the Triple Trail Challenge
September 26: Women’s Epic 10K at Deer Valley Resort
