Calico Racing celebrates 10th year at Red Rock Canyon

Joyce Forier was on a training run in early 2007 when an idea hit her.

“I just wondered what it would take to put on a marathon there and just made a phone call and eventually made it happen,” Forier said.

“There” was Red Rock Canyon. And now, Forier is preparing to put on Calico Racing’s 10th race Saturday morning.

“Back 10 years ago, they didn’t even really have a process for getting permits in place for a running event, so we learned the ropes together and developed it,” Forier said.

The event includes a marathon, half marathon and 5K. Forier said the 5K isn’t too difficult, as it doesn’t go into the hills, but the other two races, because of the terrain, have added levels of difficulty.

The marathon is officially a Boston Marathon Qualifier, though because of the course, it’s not exactly the most efficient way to achieve times necessary to qualify.

“The scenic drive is quite hilly, so it’s definitely not the fastest course that people can run, so even though, yes, it can be a Boston qualifier, it’s by no means the easiest way to do it,” Forier said.

Forier said the event draws a mix of runners, many of whom are “marathon enthusiasts.”

She is expecting about 125 participants in the full marathon, 325 in the half and 150 in the 5K.

Forier said those interested can register at calicoracing.com until Thursday or on race morning. The 5K is $50, the half marathon $85 and the full marathon $105. There is also an optional bus from the Strip for $30.

While the race draws many locals, 62 percent of the runners were from out of state last year. Of the top 10 marathon finishers, only one was from Nevada. Seventeen countries were represented with runners from 42 states.

And many of those runners have positive feedback after the race.

“They say it’s hands down one of the most beautiful courses that they’ve ever run, and my runners are typically very experienced runners as far as having raced all over the country,” Forier said. “Many of them have raced internationally, and they always comment on first and foremost how beautiful it is and right behind it how difficult it is.”

Contact Betsy Helfand at bhelfand@reviewjournal.com. Follow @BetsyHelfand on Twitter.