At 4 a.m. on April 12, 2026, long before the first hint of sunrise, headlamps flicker to life in the quiet of Bellvue, CO. Sixty-five runners gather at the edge of the Poudre River Trail, their breath visible in the cold, nerves humming beneath months of preparation. There’s no roaring crowd or elaborate start line production. Just the soft shuffle of shoes on dirt and the quiet understanding that what lies ahead will ask more of them than they can fully predict.
Race Director Mandy Mullen, an ultra-runner herself, understands the emotion, anticipation, and uncertainty these runners carry to the start line. Alongside her husband, Nick, and a close-knit team, she moves through the small gathering of athletes, grateful for the chance to support them on a day that will test both body and mind.
The setup is intentionally simple. Unlike many races, there’s no finish line waiting where the runners begin. Once they leave Watson Lake, they won’t return. Instead, they’ll spend the day moving east along the Poudre River Trail through Fort Collins, Timnath, Windsor, and eventually Greeley, crossing county lines, communities, and personal limits along the way. This is the NOCO Urban Ultra.
The course unfolds gradually, tracing the Poudre River through stretches of open trail, neighborhoods, farmland, and growing Northern Colorado communities. Along the way, runners watch the sunrise over the plains, endure the midday heat, and settle into the reflective silence that often comes during long hours on the move.
There are moments when everything clicks; when legs feel strong, conversations flow, and the miles seem to disappear. There are also moments when exhaustion creeps in, the body aches, and the mind begins questioning why anyone would willingly choose to run this far.
But running ultra is about far more than mileage.
It’s about the training runs before sunrise, the sacrifices made behind the scenes, and the willingness to pursue something difficult simply because it matters.
For Windsor resident Laura Hiebenthal, this race was training for a mountainous 50 miler later this summer. “I don't know what the Bighorn will bring in June; there will be elevation and big hills and cutoffs to make. There could be snow, mud, rain, possible wildlife encounters, etc. But at least I know I CAN do 50 miles because the NOCO Urban Ultra showed me that I can cover that distance!”
For Severance Mayor Pro Tem Brittany Vandermark, ultrarunning represents possibility.
“Because I love saying I can do something that 99 percent of the population wouldn’t even try,” Vandermark says. “It keeps me going, and I hope it motivates my kids to see they’re capable of anything.”
The trail itself reflects that same spirit of perseverance. According to project manager Zac Wiebe, the trail connection has been nearly 50 years in the making, requiring collaboration between municipalities, organizations, and landowners. When the final section beneath Interstate 25 was completed last year, it opened the door for events like this to showcase the trail in a new way.
Aid stations become pockets of energy and encouragement throughout the day. Volunteers, including the Fort Collins lululemon team, where Mullen serves as an ambassador, provide fuel and motivating words to runners. Alexis Templenuevo ran on one of two teams representing FIT4MOM, whose members also staffed an aid station. “At 23 weeks pregnant, running reminds me that motherhood and strength can coexist beautifully,” Templenuevo said.
Ultrarunning isn’t reserved for elite athletes. It belongs just as much to the person crossing right before the cutoff as it does to the front runner. The common thread is simple: the willingness to continue forward when things become uncomfortable.
Mullen estimates that nearly four million steps were taken along the Poudre River Trail during this year’s event. Beyond the individual journeys, races like this also bring a unique form of tourism and connection to the region. Runners traveled from across Colorado and nine different states. Many bring family members or friends who spend the day supporting runners while exploring Northern Colorado’s towns along the route.
As the final runners crossed the finish line and the sun disappeared below the horizon, the day came full circle. What began in darkness ended there too, but with a different kind of light; one built through grit, community, and the shared experience of pushing through something difficult together. For every runner, the NOCO Urban Ultra became more than a race; it became a lasting story of resilience, accomplishment, and memories that can never be taken away.
“The NOCO Urban Ultra is more than a race - it paints a picture of encouragement, resilience, and community.” - Alexis Templenuevo