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  • Mesa Monument Striders runners on the trails in Loma, Colorado.
    Running Everywhere
    We are in Grand Junction in western Colorado but we enjoy running all over Colorado and Utah.
    FIND YOUR EVENT
  • Evening running with Striders in Grand Junction, Colorado
    Running for Everyone
    Our programs promote and support running and runners at all stages in life.
    GET TO KNOW US
  • Mesa Monument Striders runners competing in Winter Sun 10 kilometer race in Moab, Utah.
    Accessible and Affordable Races
    Participating in a race can help you achieve your goals, maintain motivation, and develop a connection with the running community.
    CHALLENGE YOURSELF
Mesa Monument Striders is a running club for people of all ability levels in the Grand Valley of western Colorado.
Our goal is to promote health and welfare of the community through weekly group runs and associated exercise.
Don't just watch us run by. Join us!
Join or Renew
$30 a year for individuals or $35 a year for a same address family. Add $10 for printed newsletters

Strider Spotlight

  • Photo of Sari Dennis
    Sari Dennis
    Meet Sari in Strider Spotlight! Favorite local race? Just Peachy 5k. When not running, she can be found eating, exploring, and hiking. Fuel? Rice, vegetables, and tofu. Dream race? Disney races.
  • Photo of Corey
    Corey Maas
    Meet Corey in Strider Spotlight! Favorite local race? Silverton Kendall Mountain Run. When not running, she's practicing yoga. Fuel? Apples. Dream race? A 20 miler on the Klondike Bluffs Trail in Moab in January
  • photo of Ashley
    Ashley Ahlholm
    Meet Ashley in Strider Spotlight! Favorite local race? Grand Mesa 30k. When not running, she's reading and cooking, and outdoor activities like biking, skiing and hiking. Fuel? Lemon Larabar. Dream race? Ouray 100 mile
Meet More Striders

Group Runs

Devils Cabin Christmas Wreath Run/Hike - D3 trail
Sun, Dec 05, 21
cabin group 2020

Join us for the annual MMS Christmas Wreath hike/run. We will take the D3 loop out to the cabin and "decorate" the cabin for the…

2021-12-05
Devil's Canyon - Monday Group Run
  • Mon, Jul 07, 25
devils canyon

We run in all conditions. Like the all of our group runs, this is casual and all abilities are welcome. We have a 5-6 mile standard loop…

  • 2025-07-07
Flume Canyon - Monday Group Run
  • Mon, Jul 14, 25
image of trail

We run in all conditions. Like the all of our group runs, this is casual and all abilities are welcome. We have a 4-5 mile standard loop…

  • 2025-07-14
Pollock Bench - Monday Group Run
  • Mon, Jul 21, 25
image of trail

We run in all conditions. Like the all of our group runs, this is casual and all abilities are welcome. We have a 6-7 mile standard…

  • 2025-07-21
Mary's Loop - Monday Group Run
  • Mon, Jun 30, 25
image of trail

We run in all conditions. Like the all of our group runs, this is casual and all abilities are welcome. We have a 5-6 mile standard loop…

  • 2025-06-30
Lunch Loops - Thursday Group Run
trail image

We run in all conditions. Like all our group runs, this is casual and all abilities are welcome. We run a 5-6 mile loop but there are…

Upcoming Races

Bangs Canyon World Championship 30k
Sat, Jan 04, 25
2020 start
This is an old school, self supported, no frills race.Race sign-up will occur in person the morning of the race at the start-finish line…
Appleton Freezer
Sat, Jan 18, 25
2022 finish
The Appleton Freezer is one of the Striders' oldest organized running events.The official race route begins at the east edge of the…
Valentine's Day Massacre 3 Mile Prediction Run
Sat, Feb 15, 25
Runners competing in Valentine's Day Massacre 3 Mile Prediction Run
This is the Striders “other” prediction race, with prizes being re-distributed to those running closest to their pre-race predictions…
Widowmaker
Sat, Apr 05, 25
start finish
8:30am start time! Challenging self-supported single track trail run with considerable downhill in the first half that has to be regained.…
Garfield Grumble
Sat, May 25, 24
View along the ridge at the top
Become part of the Summit and Plummet club!!  Very steep and difficult climb to the summit up the main trail from the Palisade trail…
Turkey Flats Trail Run
Sun, Jun 29, 25
2023 runners
9am start time!Above Colorado National Monument and Glade Park on Pinon Mesa in the Fruita section of the Grand Mesa National Forest. Run…
Crag Crest Trail Run
Sun, Jul 13, 25
Runners atop Crag Crest on Grand Mesa in western Colorado.
9am start time!Scenic 10.6 mile singletrack loop on top of Grand Mesa mostly through forest and meadows with a long crest section that is…
Run to Whitewater
Sun, Oct 15, 23
Runners at the start of the trail race from Grand Junction to Whitewater, Colorado
Point to point scenic trail run follows the Tabeguache Trail from Bangs Canyon trail head to Unaweep Canyon for a net descent but with a…
Strider Tom Turkey 6 Mile Prediction Run
Sat, Nov 18, 23
Runners in Grand Junction, Colorado, during the Strider Tom Turkey 6 Mile Prediction Run
Guess your finish time for this flat-ish 6-mile road run. Those with the most accurate predictions win a turkey! No watches allowed.
Strider 5-Mile Time Trial
Sat, Dec 18, 21
Runners at the Strider 5-Mile Time Trial in Grand Junction, Colorado
Out and back flat course into Connected Lakes State Park on the paved Riverfront Trail.
Breaking Bad Dirt Duathlon
Sat, Aug 01, 20
bookcliffs
The bike course is physically demanding but technically mellow all on double track and gravel bike compatible. There are steep ups and…
Behind the Rocks Ultra
Sat, Mar 27, 21
behind the rocks
Behind the Rocks Ultra starts and finishes at the Behind the Rocks Trail, along the border of the Behind the Rocks Wilderness Study Area.…
Desert Rats Trail Running Festival
Sat, Apr 17, 21
course photo
Join us for a weekend of fun and running on the world class trails near Fruita, Colorado. The weekend kicks off on Friday night with packet…
Adventure Fest at 18 Road
Sat, May 01, 21
course photo
Join us for the brand new Adventure Fest at 18 Road weekend! The events will feature the Fruita Trail Half, the Sarlacc Attack…
Grand Mesa Ultra
Fri, Jul 30, 21
crag crest
Each course shares a loop up and over Crag Crest which was voted one of the top scenic trail running destinations in Colorado by Superfeet…
Breaking Bad Dirt Duathlon
Sat, Jul 09, 22
bikes
All dirt! 5K run followed by 15-mile bike. Registration on race day only, well-marked route but no aid stations The run can be done by…
Bangs Canyon World Championships 2024
Sat, Jan 06, 24
2020 start
This is an old school, self supported, no frills race. Race sign-up will occur in person the morning of the race at the start-finish line…
Crag Crest 2023
Sun, Jul 09, 23
Runners along the crest - photo by Kate Avery
IMPORTANT RACE UPDATE: After hitting 99 today in the valley, it's hard to believe how much snow lingers on Grand Mesa. I explored Crag…
Mary's Loop Run
Sat, Aug 23, 25
mary's loop photo
7:30am start time!The run will be the original 8.5 mile course starting at the main Kokopelli Trailhead, running a clockwise loop and…
Garfield Grumble
Sat, May 24, 25
View along the ridge at the top
Become part of the Summit and Plummet club!!  Very steep and difficult climb to the summit up the main trail from the Palisade trail…

Social & Other Events

Striders Annual Picnic
Thu, Jul 08, 21
bbq

Striders will provide hot dogs and fixings (w vegie options) and the cooler will be there
Feel free to bring side dishes,…

Christmas Eve Day Run/Hike on Serpents
Fri, Dec 24, 21
collage of years past

* CANCELLED *

A casual run up Serpents Trail. Dress in your best holiday attire and bring your holiday…

Annual Peach Ice Cream Night
Thu, Aug 18, 22
peach ice cream
,
peach ice cream

Get your cranking arm ready!!  Annual Peach Ice Cream run Thursday 8/18 in conjunction with the…

Devils Cabin Christmas Wreath Run/Hike - D3 trail
Sun, Dec 04, 22
cabin group 2022
,
cabin group 2020
,
cabin group 2019
,
cabin group 2018

Join us for the annual MMS Christmas Wreath hike/run. We will take the D3 loop out to the cabin and temporarily "decorate" the cabin for…

Pi Day Run
Tue, Mar 14, 23
pi day run

Who doesn't like a reason to get together, run, and eat pie!?! Enjoy a fun 3.14 mile course on the Water Tower trails.

Please…

Striders Trail Work Day
Sat, Oct 21, 23
trail work

Join us for a Striders group trail work day! Join us for a trail work day out at Flume Canyon. We will be placing some signs,…

Christmas Eve Day Run/Hike on Serpents
Sun, Dec 24, 23
collage of years past

A casual run up Serpents Trail. Dress in your best holiday attire and bring your holiday cheer!

Parking is limited so…

Annual Peach Ice Cream Night
Thu, Aug 15, 24
peach ice cream
,
peach ice cream
,
2023 peach ice cream

Get your cranking arm ready!!  Annual Peach Ice Cream run Thursday 8/15 in conjunction with the Thursday…

MMS Trail work day
Sat, Oct 12, 24
trail work

Join us for a Striders group trail work day! 

Details can be found at:…

Devils Cabin Christmas Wreath Run/Hike - D3 trail
Sun, Dec 15, 24
cabin group 2022

Join us for the annual MMS Christmas Wreath hike/run. We will take the D3 loop out to the cabin and "temporarily decorate" the cabin for…

MMS Board Meeting
Tue, Jun 10, 25
meeting

All are welcome to join our board meeting on Tuesday, June 10 at 6pm in the Community Room at REI.  

Agenda items (tentative…

Newsletter

  • Mesa Monument Striders organizes runs on beautiful trails of the western Colorado's desert.
    February 2025 The Strider
    03 Mar 2025
  • group run photo
    November 2024 The Strider
    01 Nov 2024
  • crag crest trail photo
    August 2024 The Strider
    18 Aug 2024
All Newsletters

Race Results

Race Name
Bangs Canyon World Championship 2020 01/04/2020
Bangs Canyon World Championships 2024 01/06/2024
Bangs Canyon World Championships 2023 01/07/2023
Bangs Canyon World Championships 2022 01/09/2022
Bangs Canyon World Championships 2019 01/12/2019
Appleton Freezer 2020 01/18/2020
Appleton Freezer 2025 01/18/2025
2024 Appleton Freezer 01/20/2024
Pi Day Run 03/14/2021
Widowmaker Trail Run 04/03/2021
Garfield Grumble 05/29/2021
Turkey Flats 2021 06/27/2021
Turkey Flats 2020 06/28/2020
Turkey Flats 2019 06/30/2019
Crag Crest 2019 07/07/2019
Breaking Bad Dirt Duathlon 07/09/2022
Breaking Bad Dirt Duathlon 07/10/2021
Crag Crest 2020 07/12/2020
Crag Crest 2021 07/18/2021
Breaking Bad Duathlon 08/01/2020
High School Cross Country Meet 1 2020 08/22/2020
Mary's Loop 8-Mile 2024 08/24/2024
High School Cross Country Meet 2 2020 08/29/2020
High School Cross Country Meet 3 2020 09/04/2020
High School Cross Country Meet 4 2020 09/12/2020
High School Cross Country Meet 5 2020 09/19/2020
High School Cross Country Meet 6 2020 09/25/2020
Appleton Freezer 4-Mile 1/14/2023
Appleton Freezer 4-Mile 2022 1/15/2022
Beer Mile 2024 1/20/2024
Bangs Canyon World Championship 2025 1/4/2025
High School Cross Country Meet 7 2020 10/03/2020
Run to Whitewater 2024 10/13/2024
Run to Whitewater 2023 10/15/2023
Run to Whitewater 2022 10/16/2022
Run to Whitewater 2021 10/17/2021
Run to Whitewater 10/18/2020
Spooktacular 5K 2024 10/26/2024
Tom Turkey 6-Mile Prediction Run 11/18/2023
Tom Turkey 6-Mile Prediction Run 2024 11/23/2024
Beer Mile 2022 12/10/2022
2021 Beer Mile 12/18/2021
Strider 5-Mile Time Trial 2019 12/21/2019
Valentines Massacre 3-Mile Prediction Run 2025 2/15/2025
Tortoise and Hare 3-Mile Relay 2023 3/11/2023
Pi Day 3.14 Mile Race 3/14/2023
Pi Day Run 2024 3/14/2024
Widowmaker Trail Runs 4/2/2022
Garfield Grumble 2023 4/27/2023
Widowmaker Trail Runs 4/5/2025
Widowmaker Trail Runs 4/6/2024
Widowmaker Trail Runs 2023 4/8/2023
Garfield Grumble 2025 5/24/2025
Garfield Grumble 2024 5/25/2024
Garfield Grumble 2022 5/28/2022
Turkey Flats 2023 6/25/2023
Turkey Flats 2022 6/26/2022
Turkey Flats 2025 6/29/2025
Turkey Flats 2024 6/30/2024
Crag Crest Run 2024 7/14/2024
Crag Crest Run 2022 7/17/2022
Mary's Loop 8-Mile 2023 8/26/2023
Kokopelli Classic 2022 8/27/2022
Kokopelli Classic 8/28/2021
All Race Results

Special Deals

Run Race Cartoon

Save money on runners-oriented products by taking advantage of the members-only discounts.

Special Deals

Photo Albums

  • 2025 Bangs Canyon World Championships Start
  • MMS Trail work day 2024 safety briefing
  • Striders Peach Ice Cream Night 2024 Runners
  • Garfield Grumble 2024 Runners at the start of the Garfield Grumble
  • 2024 Appleton Freezer pre race
  • 2023 Christmas Eve Day Run members
  • MMS Trail Work Day 2023 trail work
  • 2023 Widowmaker Trail Race Run 2023 Widowmaker Trail Race Run, Mesa Monument Striders
  • Striders Peach Ice Cream Night 2022 ice cream
  • Crag Crest Run 2022, Grand Mesa, Western Colorado Ian Rogers and Nelson Jones

Photo Albums

We are a running club for everyone.

Mesa Monument Striders invites membership or participation in events without regard to age, color, creed, gender, gender identity, national origin, physical ability, race, or sexual orientation. Minors may be excluded from membership or participation at the discretion of Mesa Monument Striders leadership.

Mesa Monument Striders has a policy of broad inclusion.

What Others Are Saying

  • Jina Silva
    Jina Silva

    Mesa Monument Striders advocates for clean trails, and promotes health and wellness to the community through various free runs and races…

  • Rich Connors
    Rich Connors

    I started running with the Striders shortly after moving to Grand Junction. The club is full of great people and is a great way to connect to the…

  • Josh Drews
    Josh Drews

    I have been running with the Stiders for around four years now. When I first came to the group I had just started running again and was pretty…

  • Susan and Scott Bierman
    Susan and Scott Bierman

    When we first moved to Grand Junction, we didn't know anyone or much about the area overall. We randomly came across a group of runners who…

  • Randee Bergen
    Randee Bergen

    The Striders welcome everyone, even a slower runner like myself. Since joining, I have made lifelong friends and had grand adventures centered…

  • Karla Nephew
    Karla Nephew
    Mesa Monument Striders President 2018 - Present

    Running with the Striders has become something I look forward to every week since I moved to Grand Junction in 2014.  We are more…

  • Ryan Sullivan
    Ryan Sullivan

    I, along with several of my friends, found the Striders to be the most welcoming group imaginable when we moved into town.

  • Chris Sovacool
    Chris Sovacool

    As someone whose job has moved them around quite a bit (7 states in 8 years)- I've often struggled in new locations with meeting new people and…

  • Conrad Cole
    Conrad Cole

    I have been a member of the Club since 1984, and have to attest to the soundness of its running philosophy. Our mission statement is to improve…

  • Christie Aschwanden
    Christie Aschwanden
    Author of GOOD TO GO: What the Athlete in All of Us Can Learn From the Strange Science of Recovery

    Mesa Monument Striders is my kind of running group — friendly, good-natured, inclusive and fun-loving. The Striders are an assortment of serious…

Mesa Monument Striders, Serving the Running Community Since 1978

Mesa Monument Striders is the paramount running group in the Grand Valley in western Colorado. The mission of the club is to promote the health and welfare of the community through running and associated exercise.

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