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2022 Year In Review - Sports

A logo for Vail Recreation District Sports with stylized 'VRD' letters inside a circle.
The image shows a logo with the text "2022 YEAR IN REVIEW" and initials "VRD" for Vail Recreation District.

In the VRD Sports Department, we continued to push ourselves in 2022 - adding new events, timing more non-VRD events and adding a new axe throwing league. Our event participation is still robust - in 2022, we had a total of 3,718 participants in our races. We also continued to offer the same high caliber of sports camps, youth sports programs and more. Our Sports Director, Joel Rabinowitz, enjoyed a busy fall season outside of the VRD in 2022, coaching the Battle Mountain Huskies soccer team all the way to the 4A state finals in October as well as celebrating his 30th anniversary working for the Vail Rec District!

 

 

 

 

A cyclist on a mountain trail, lush greenery, and hills in the background.
We included a single-stage enduro race in the series for the first time ever, the Son of Middle Creek Enduro.
Logo parody resembling AC/DC with a cyclist, lightning bolt, and event names "Davos Dash" and "Son of Middle Creek Enduro".
We also introduced the AC/DC mini competition within the series - the best combined time (ascent/descent=AC/DC) of the downhill Son of Middle Creek Enduro and the uphill Davos Dash.
A person in a helmet and life vest smiles, surrounded by others with kayaking gear.
The Eagle River Water & Sanitation District Vail Whitewater Series saw record participation since its inception in 2011!
Three children with race bibs and certificates standing before informational signs, one raising her arms in a victorious pose.
New in 2022: Mighty Marmot Kids Trail Races - these two events were very well-received and we are excited to grow kids trail running events!
Two smiling people holding axes with dartboard-like targets in the background, suggesting an axe-throwing activity.
Also new in 2022: we introduced an Axe Throwing League, in partnership with Wood & Steel Axe Company. This league takes place at the Grand Hyatt in Vail.
People socializing at an outdoor patio with string lights and a kayak mounted on the wall.

More Highlights

  • We introduced a 5K option to the Boneyard Boogie Trail Run!
  • Also new in trail running for 2022, we added an 80 year+ category and the series moved 100% away from disposable cups.
  • The Kids Adventure Games Family Mud Run returned for the first time since the pandemic.
  • The Ugly Sweater Fun Run saw a record number of participants and donations for Eagle County toy drives and Community Market Food Bank.
  • We assisted in planning and producing the BB&B golf tournament, which raised $24,563 for the Tom Slaughter, Jr. Memorial Youth Grant.

More Numbers:

  • Races
    • Winter Races: 396 participants | 60% Eagle County, 33% other parts of CO, 4% out of state
    • Whitewater Series: 339 participants | 60% Eagle County, 34.5% other parts of CO, 5.5% out of state/international
    • Mountain Bike Series: 1,172 participants | 78% Eagle County, 22% other parts of CO
    • Trail Running Series: 1,488 participants | 49% Eagle County, 85% other parts of CO, 11% out of state, 2% international
    • Kids Adventure Games Mud Run: 136 participants | 35% Eagle County, 55% other of parts of CO, 10% out of state/international
    • Mighty Marmot Kids Trail Races: 63 participants | 100% Eagle County
    • Ugly Sweater Holiday Fun Run: 136 participants | 92% Eagle County, 8% other parts of CO
  • Adult Sports Participation
    • 1,530 total participants in adult leagues
    • Approximately 1,025 participants in two nights/week of open gym volleyball and basketball for eight months of the year
  • Youth Sports Programs and Camps
    • 492 youths enjoyed our after school youth sports programs with record numbers in youth soccer
    • 622 local and visiting children enjoyed our summer sports camp offerings