Publisher

Colorado Runner was founded by Derek and Jessica Griffiths in 2003. They were becoming frustrated with looking for races and results of races in Colorado, so they decided to put a magazine together to allow local runners one resource for all their running needs. Thus, Colorado Runner was born. Since that first issue, Derek and Jessica have also started an event management company in conjunction with the publication, Colorado Runner Events. Colorado Runner Events currently produces the Greenland Trail Races as well as the three races of the Winter Distance Series. Derek Griffiths, Publisher Derek is a native of Washington Court House, OH where he was a state runner-up in the 800m in 1993. He went onto to earn a BS in Biology at Kent State University, while also competing for the Golden Flashes in Cross Country and Track, earning a total of six varsity letters. He capped his collegiate carrier with a runner-up finish at the 1997 indoor Mid-American Conference One Mile Run. Following his four years at Kent State, Derek enrolled at Andrews University, earning a Masters of Physical Therapy degree in 1999. Derek practiced as a physical therapist from 1999 until going full time with Colorado Runner in 2008. He continued to participate in numerous road races after college. A veteran of more than 50 marathons, Derek is pursuing the goal of completing a marathon in all 50 states – he currently has 38 under his belt. Derek’s continued love for the sport of running is what drives him to make Colorado Runner the best publication it can be. Jessica Griffiths, Managing Editor Jessica is a native of Washington Court House, OH where she graduated in 1995. She went on to earn a BS in Broadcast Journalism with a minor in Meteorology at Ohio University, graduating in 1999. Jessica’s career began as a TV Meteorologist. She was an on-air talent at stations in Medford, OR, Cincinnati and Denver before going full time with Colorado Runner. Jessica has also competed in numerous road and trail races. She is a veteran of nine marathons, including America’s Ultimate Challenge, the Pikes Peak Marathon. Derek and Jessica have been married since 2000 and have two children, Alex and Emma, and one dog, Lucy.