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, nerves humming beneath months of preparation. There’s no roaring crowd or elaborate start line. 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 trail through Fort Collins, Timnath, Windsor, and eventually Greeley — crossing county lines 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 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.
Sometimes, everything comes together: legs feel strong, conversations are easy, and the miles go by quickly. Other times, exhaustion sets in, the body hurts, and runners wonder why they chose to run such a long distance.
But running ultra is about far more than mileage.
It’s about training runs before sunrise, sacrifices made behind the scenes, and the willingness to pursue something difficult simply because it matters.
For returning runner Gabriel Beckman-Nedela, the course connects different chapters of his life.
“I ran last year, and this course is sentimental to me because I spent most of my childhood in Fort Collins and now I’m building a family in Windsor,” he says. “I had too much fun at last year’s Urban Ultra to even list all of the positives.”
For others, the race represents growth through discomfort. Runner Suz Kandler signed up during what she calls a “year of doing hard, uncomfortable things.”
“This race is helping answer my question for all my choices lately,” Kandler says as she prepares to pace friend Mandy Mullen at the Cocodona 250. “I’m going for time on feet, regrouping between legs, and finding joy.” Kandler is also heading up a team for the upcoming Wild West Relay, raising funds for The Matthews House, a local nonprofit.
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 I-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 words of encouragement to runners.
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 trail during this year’s event. Beyond the individual journeys, races like this also bring a unique form of tourism and a sense of 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. 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