Steamboat Springs — The Spring Creek Trail may be among the most popular in Steamboat Springs, with its dirt and rock singletrack proving to be an immensely popular option for walkers, runners and cyclists.

The Spring Creek Memorial run, however, has managed to carve out a niche as one of the most unique races in the Steamboat Springs Running Series, and Saturday that event will again offer runners a chance to strike out up a once-a-year trail.

The event includes 9-mile and 5-kilometer races beginning at 8 a.m. and 8:30 a.m., respectively. Both start and finish at the Spring Creek reservoir, about 400 yards from the trailhead parking area at the intersection of Amethyst Drive and Maple Street.

The shorter race is a simple out-and-back along the well-worn and familiar trail.

That run offers a good glance at what trail running in Steamboat Springs can be, skirting along the reservoir, through rock fields, over several bridges and up through pine and aspen forests.

The 9-mile race, however, is unique to the annual Spring Creek Memorial event. Running Series volunteers work before the race to hack a trail that breaks off from the Spring Creek singletrack, up and away and into thick, forested terrain on private land. The course rejoins civilization on County Road 38 before topping out at Dry Lake Campground, 1,200 feet in elevation above the starting line. It rejoins the Spring Creek trail soon after, and from there athletes descend the trail to the finish line.

Registration costs $25 for the 5K race and $30 for the 9-mile race, and is available online at www.runningseries.com.