At the Sawatch Ascent, we believe that good races need good trails. Since our beginning, we've worked hard to advocate and fundraise for trail work. Through all our Freestone Endurance races, we've raised over $45,000 for the best trail nonprofits in the mountain west. Without these groups' efforts to protect, maintain, and advocate these trails, our race probably wouldn't exist. At the 2021 Sawatch Ascent, we raised just over $1,800 and we're hoping to raise $3,000 in 2022!
Not sure which organization to support? Here's our suggestion:
1. Colorado Fourteeners Initiative: CFI has been our primary beneficiary since 2021 (our first year) and has been an amazing supporter. From providing trail work opportunities to helping get our liquor permit, CFI is a huge help and partner to the race. Plus, they are caring for the busiest trails in the state and are constantly innovating for creative ways to protect Colorado's most loved peaks. The Sawatch Ascent runs just under Mount Antero (14,269) and our race uses trails for several routes up the peak. In 2021, we raised $800 for CFI.
2. Colorado Trail Foundation: This one is tough. The Colorado Trail is dearly loved in the state (and rightly so), but the CTF will not partner with any running event on the CT. While the CTF does important work, and deserves to be supported, but we wish they would be active partners for non-hiking user groups and recreation events. In 2021, we raised $1032 for the CTF.
As part of our Miles-To-Dollars program, runners have the option to donate $1 for each mile of trail we use. For the Sawatch Ascent, we use 13 miles of the Colorado Trail and 14 miles of fourteener trails, so we encourage runners to donate a dollar for each mile we're using.
