LOS ALAMOS, New Mexico (January 8, 2020) — High altitude and a wide array of outdoor recreation and sporting facilities make Los Alamos, New Mexico the ideal location to train like an Olympian as you kick off a new decade. With recreation facilities from 5,000 to 10,000 feet elevation, as well as affordable lodging and activity amenities, Los Alamos provides serious athletes with options to build their endurance and add new levels of challenges to their training—while sticking to a budget.
“For many, the beginning of the year is a time to re-focus and either get in better shape or make advances on their athletic goals,” said Kelly Stewart, Marketing Manager for Los Alamos County. “For dedicated athletes looking to make 2020 the year they attain personal bests, train for endurance events, and make strides in their performance, a visit to Los Alamos is a great addition to their training. They’ll be among some of the greats who have flocked from around the globe to Los Alamos for our high altitude, as well as our varied offerings, allowing athletes to diversify their training regimen.”
From the shores of the Rio Grande to the summit of Pajarito Mountain, Los Alamos County’s trails network offers over 5,000 vertical feet and more than 150 miles of developed trails that weave through and around neighborhoods, businesses and open space, and traverse mesas, canyons and mountains, with varying terrain for hiking, running, biking and every snow sport, depending on the weather. In fact, each season, some locals regularly split the day between running, biking or golfing in the morning (Los Alamos Golf Course is one of the highest and most challenging courses in the state) and skiing or boarding at Pajarito Mountain in the afternoon.
Los Alamos is also home to North America’s highest-altitude indoor Olympic-size swimming pool—Larry R. Walkup Aquatic Center—where national teams from around the world return each winter to prepare for the next Olympic Games. Additionally, serving as a gateway to nearby National Parks, Los Alamos makes a perfect basecamp for those looking to train by hiking trails in Bandelier National Monument or cross-country skiing in Valles Caldera National Preserve.
Throughout the year, Los Alamos is host to several competitive sporting events, including Tour de Los Alamos bike race, the Atomic Man Duathlon, the Los Alamos Triathlon, and the internationally renowned Jemez Mountain Trail Runs, most of which include a family and friends celebration element with craft beer and bands.
“With varied terrain and difficulty level, our trails and outdoor recreation opportunities allow for all athletes to improve their performance while visiting,” added Stewart. “Whether you’re a professional upping your competitive edge, a senior athlete prepping for the Senior Games, or a young, up and coming athlete, we welcome you to Los Alamos, where you can take your training to new heights—literally and figuratively!”
For more information on high altitude training in Los Alamos, visit https://visitlosalamos.org/sports. For more information on Los Alamos, or to plan your visit, go to visitlosalamos.org.
