Day 74 - Leadville to Frisco, Colorado

Laura climbs at high elevation into Leadville.

Leadville, already busy in preparation for this weekend's 100 mile Endurance Run, gave the runners even more opportunities to meet people and spread the message. The runners were thrilled to have numerous guest runners connected with Water for People join them, many of whom were hydrogeologists from the Denver area. One guest runner even appeared on the NBC Channel 9 News out of Denver with the Run!

At one of Team Green's exchange points in front of a private residence, a Native American woman named Casius appeared on the other side of her fence with a giant glass of frosty water. "Please," she said,"drink of this wonderful cold water from my well. It's safe." She had seen the van pull up with the BPR logo and came out to see if this was the Blue Planet Run she had read about in National Geographic. The runners autographed her map and drank her water - it was fresh, safe and delicious.

Steve E. Sciscione, who recently moved to Superior, CO from West Chester, PA was a pace runner through Leadville for 5 miles with Laura and 5 miles with Jason . "I actually just got married and returned from my honeymoon only a couple days before the run," he later explained, "but I knew it was something that I wanted to be apart of even if the timing was a little crazy to be running at 10,200 ft. elevation after lounging around at sea level on the Italian coast! It was a great day and all of the runners I met were SUPER enthusiastic, and I was grateful that they took the time to talk to us. And I was even on channel 9 news in Denver, which was crazy. Anyway, I hope the next 20+ days go great for the teams; I wish them the best of luck!"

Mary and guest biker Elise Harrington, who accompanied the run for several legs, pass Twin Lakes.

Jason and his pace runner Tracy Gillette enter the village exchange point in Vail.

Water for People and Runner's Edge of the Rockies provided huge guest runner support throughout the day. Pace Runners for todays legs were Elise Harrington, Keith Buckley, Steve Sciscione, Dave Colvin, Rich Christy, Michael Klee, Tracy Gillette, Teri Horner, and Sara Raley. Thanks so much for the local support getting through the high elevations.

Team Orange started their shift at 9,200 ft in Frisco and steadily climbed 23 miles to Loveland Pass at 12,000 ft before descending. Two great guest runners, Catherine and Doug, ran with Sean Harrington and Lansing Brewer for their legs – the team loved the company. Lansing and Doug sang show tunes during their entire descent! They ended the night under meteor showers!!!

Melissa speaks about the water issue at the Vail exchange point.

Taeko and Melissa pose with their guest pace runners Tracy Gillette, Sara Raley and Teri Horner.

Teakeo and pace runner Teri Horner from Arvada, CO climb Vail Pass.