In a tent somewhere in the Sawatch Range of the Colorado Rocky Mountains on Thursday night, Mike Treger explained why he was a streaker for the Barr Trail Mountain Race.

Not that kind of streaker. Teger, fully clothed, has completed every BTMR since its inception in 2000, making him one of four BTMR “streakers.”

Teger is hoping to keep his streak alive this year, but first looks to conquer the High Lonesome 100-Mile ultramarathon just two days before toeing the line in Manitou Springs.

Part of what keeps him coming back to the BTMR is its philosophy of giving back. 100% of the profits from the race go back to area trails and open spaces, as well as local high schools.

“It’s interesting, I’m a streaker on this one because other races I don’t typically like to repeat,” Teger, 53, said, “I go to different races and experience different things, but this one is totally different in that I’ve done it for 24 years straight. I just really like what it does for the community.”

The BTMR is the second leg of the Garden to Peak Challenge that also includes the Garden 10 Mile and Pikes Peak Ascent or Marathon.

The trail race was started in 2000 by skyrunning legend Matt Carpenter and Nancy Hobbs, founder and director of the American Trail Running Association. Since then, it has become a popular trail running tradition for locals and out-of-staters alike, and even attracted one runner from Canada this year.

With a capacity of 400, the race fills up quickly. But the small race size creates an intimate sense of community among runners who take on the mountain together.

“I think people like that our race is fully about taking care of our trails and open spaces because that is what makes our community so great and why people love living here,” race director Beth Haney said. “Our runners appreciate the opportunity to run on a historic trail while being part of something that gives back to the community and have that competitive atmosphere at the same time.”

“It’s not just a charity race for fun, it challenges people in many different ways.”

Runners’ entry fees and optional donations go toward non-profits and volunteer organizations that help maintain trails and open spaces in the area with additional money going toward local high school cross country programs as part of the Aid Station Challenge.

There are five area high schools in this year’s Aid Station Challenge, with teams stationed along the course and those at higher elevation camping overnight. Each team receives a donation with the race participants choosing a winner to receive a larger amount.

Since 2000, the BTMR has donated over $260,000 with over $100,000 going towards high school running programs. The race covers most of its expenses through sponsors to make these donations possible.

“That has been our mantra, mission, and vision since the beginning,” Haney said.

There is also a fun competition among runners of who can donate the most money, with the highest donors getting coveted low number bibs, according to elite runner and Pikes Peak Marathon board member Sara Kushner.

While the race is a running event to help support the trail and high school running community, it is still a competitive and challenging race that includes an elite field every year.

“What makes this race so challenging is the terrain,” Elite runner and multi-time winner Kristina Mascarenas said. “The course climbs halfway up and down a 14er, gaining about 3,500 feet of elevation over roughly 13 miles. While much of the trail is fairly smooth, there are several technical sections with big rock steps and uneven footing.”

“The mountain is the star,” Kushner added. “People love being on that mountain and having a supported run out there. Just the camaraderie of the community and group running on the trail is what keeps people coming back.”

Mascarenas noted the effect of recent rain on the trail conditions, making it seem like an obstacle course at times. She’s scraped her arms before, but that’s just part of the trail running experience.

“I know that doesn’t sound fun, but it’s so exhilarating to charge forward as fast as you can hoping the path you choose doesn’t end in stitches,” Mascarenas said.

Haney said she has been impressed by the response time of Manitou Springs in fixing portions of the trail to make sure it is safe for runners.

“What has stood out to me over the years is the people.” Haney said. “All the people ever involved with the race have been just amazing. Really great people that truly care about the race. That’s mostly why I continue to stay involved, because it is such a great event to be a part of and help come to fruition.”

The four streakers run into each other often on the trails, with an unspoken vow to maintain their streak as long as they can. Two have even run into each other in international airports, a small-world moment that makes the BTMR community even more special.

“It’s a tight-knit community,” another streaker, Andy Kovats, 62, said. “You see the same people year after year. It’s a wonderful event and there’s only a handful of events that have its staying power. I’m going to keep doing it as long as I can.”