Classic 10K Comes DownTo <strong>The</strong> WireBrian Kearns leads Am<strong>and</strong>a Occhi (left)<strong>and</strong> Rob Gilliam at the halfway point.Gr<strong>and</strong> Prix Classic 10K<strong>Colorado</strong> Springs, COJuly 29, 2006Arguably the fastest 10K in <strong>Colorado</strong>, the2006 version of the Gr<strong>and</strong> Prix Classic10K did not disappoint. Starting at TiffanySquare in northern <strong>Colorado</strong> Springs, therunners traveled on Corporate Center Drive forabout one half mile before hitting the Pikes PeakGreenway Trail. <strong>The</strong>y would then follow this tothe finish at Monument Valley Park.Kenyan Abraham Kosgei <strong>and</strong> localyoungster Ian Burrell quickly took the lead onthe bike path. Running side by side for most ofthe race, they both set a blistering pace for the6,000’ elevation. Jason Delany, Chuck McKenzie<strong>and</strong> Art Siemers tried to keep in contact forthe first couple of miles, but the two front runnersslowly pulled away.At about five <strong>and</strong> a half miles, Abrahamsurged ahead. He won by nine seconds in30:44, taking home the $250 first place prizemoney sponsored by <strong>Runner</strong>’s Roost. Burrellfinished second in 30:53. Not wanting to affecthis college eligibility, Ian donated his $150second place prize to charity. Jason Delany heldonto third (<strong>and</strong> $100), crossing the line in 31:22.Taking home the $100 first place masters prizemoney was 46-year-old Sam Ngatia, who wastimed in 32:30.<strong>The</strong> women’s race was just as competitiveas Kara Roy of Fort Collins grabbed anearly lead on the bike path. Paula Morrison wasable to stay in contact <strong>and</strong> then pull away for the13 second win in 36:33. Am<strong>and</strong>a Occhi roundedout the prize money awards with a 37:33 thirdplace showing. Taking home the masters prizemoney was 42-year-old Joni Fehrenbacher, whowas timed in 42:35.This years race saw a dramatic increasein the number of entrants, topping 600for the first time.550 Finishers - Timing by: BKB Ltd. - Weather: Partly Cloudy, 65 degrees withincreased humidity - Elevation: Start = 6,250’, Finish = 6,050’Male (Overall): 1. Abraham Kosgei, 30, 30:44; 2. Ian Burrell,21, 30:53; 3. Jason Delaney, 25, 31:32; 4. Chuck McKenzie,22, 31:37; 5. Art Siemers, 33, 31:45; 6. Sam Ngatia, 46, 32:30;7. Ewen North, 28, 32:35; 8. Oscar Ponce, 28, 32:51; 9. GregAugspurger, 28, 32:56; 10. Cody Hill, 33, 33:07. Masters (40+):1. Sam Ngatia, 46, 32:30. Gr<strong>and</strong> Masters (50+): 1. Sam Torres,53, 38:16. Seniors (60+): 1. Larry Ingram, 61, 40:00. Female(Overall): 1. Paula Morrison, 33, 36:33; 2. Kara Roy, 26, 36:46;3. Am<strong>and</strong>a Occhi, 26, 37:33; 4. Michey Kelly, 28, 38:44; 5. EileenMarie Herbst, 39, 40:04; 6. Am<strong>and</strong>a Ewing, 25, 40:36; 7. MarisaKeefe, 27, 40:57; 8. Elizabeth Watkins, 23, 40:58; 9. ShannonMeredith, 35, 40:59; 10. Meghann Loseke, 23, 41:36. Masters(40+): 1. Joni Fehrenbacher, 42, 42:35. Gr<strong>and</strong> Masters (50+):1. Georgann Richardson, 50, 48:52. Seniors (60+): 1. SallyKennett, 64, 54:56.Mike Tarantino (right) out kicksNathan McCrary at the finish.Paula Morrison is the first female,crossing the line in 36:33.September/October 2006 coloradorunnermag.com 57
Race Reports...Record Numbers Start San Juan Solstice 50 MileSan Juan Solstice 50 MileJune 17, 2006Lake City, COArecord 142 runners were treated to a brisk35 degree temperature at the start of the12th annual San Juan Solstice 50 Mile.Stream crossings were more manageable thisyear due to high June temperatures, <strong>and</strong> only afew runners plunged into the icy waters.Last year’s winner, Dan Vega of <strong>Colorado</strong>Springs, looked strong as he led into theWilliams Creek aid station at mile 15.7 miles,but Nate McDowell from Los Alamos, NM, appearedthrough the trees only two minutes later,followed closely by Brian Fisher of Littleton.Within 10 minutes, a number of strong runnerswould come through the aid station, hot onthe heels of the three leaders. <strong>The</strong> first womaninto the aid station was Helen Cospolich fromBreckenridge, who tended to her 8-montholddaughter long enough for Tressa Breindelof Boulder <strong>and</strong> Diana Finkel of South Fork tomake up some ground.By mile 22, Dan Vega had been passedby four runners, <strong>and</strong> Nate McDowell took a leadthat he would never relinquish.Conditions on the divide were nearlyperfect, with a light, cool wind <strong>and</strong> not a cloudto be found. <strong>The</strong>re were no problems with theheat, as in years past, but the long stretch above12,000 feet was taxing to even the fittest of racers.McDowell increased his lead on Fisher tonine minutes coming into the Divide aid stationat mile 31, with Dale Peterson <strong>and</strong> Eric Blacknot far behind.At the Slumgullion aid station at mile40, leaders McDowell <strong>and</strong> Fisher maintainedtheir positions, but Harry Harcrow of Woodl<strong>and</strong>Park was making up ground, <strong>and</strong> he moved intothird place by the Vicker’s aid station at mile46.5. Unfortunately, Fisher took a good faceplant on the steep Waterdog trail into town, butrecovered quickly.Nate McDowell was the victor, winningthe race on his third time on the course.He said the views were the highlight of the day.“This is the most beautiful race course in America.”<strong>The</strong> women’s race was close, withTressa Breindel sneaking up on Cospolich inthe last 10 miles, <strong>and</strong> finishing only one minute,46 seconds behind. Martina Alvarez, a 23-yearoldLake City local, finished in 49th place in hervery first ultra event, in a time of 12:52:25. Shejoined five other local ladies in this town of lessthan 600 who have finished this course.115 Finishers - Timing by: San Juan Solstice 50M - Weather: Sunny, 60-75 degrees- Elevation: Start/Finish = 8,700’ with a total gain <strong>and</strong> loss of 12,900’Male (Overall): 1. Nate Mcdowell, 34, 9:26:11; 2. Brian Fisher,40, 9:46:23; 3. Harry Harcrow, 38, 10:19:48; 4. Paul Adams,47, 10:22:34; 5. Paul Sullivan, 39, 10:25:14; 6. Dan Vega, 38,10:38:01; 7. Quent Bearden, 31, 10:38:31; 8. Dale Peterson, 49,10:40:01; 9. Zach Cr<strong>and</strong>all, 26, 10:41:12; 10. Allen Hadley, 48,10:43:14. Masters (40+): 1. Brian Fisher, 40, 9:46:23. Gr<strong>and</strong>Masters (50+): 1. Chuck Cofer, 55, 11:54:42. Seniors (60+):1. Tom Masterson, 61, 14:01:18. Female (Overall): 1. HelenCospolich, 29, 11:19:54; 2. Tressa Breindel, 27, 11:21:40; 3.Diana Finkel, 34, 11:34:41; 4. Jean Coulter, 34, 12:05:46; 5. MaryMahoney, 29, 12:28:26; 6. Kate Lapides, 42, 12:30:38; 7. CarolGerber, 43, 12:43:24; 8. Martina Anne Alvarez, 23, 12:52:25;9. Jamie Donaldson, 31, 12:56:04; 10. Marcy Hacisavas, 31,13:06:16. Masters (40+): 1. Kate Lapides, 42, 12:30:38. Gr<strong>and</strong>Masters (50+): 1. Wendy Cr<strong>and</strong>all, 54, 16:01:00.Helen Cospolich on her way to victoryat the San Juan Solstice 50 Mile.<strong>Colorado</strong> Hosts More Than 600 Iron GirlsAthletes head out from the start of the IronGirl 5M <strong>and</strong> 5K in Denver.RYKA Iron Girl 5M & 5KAugust 6, 2006Denver, COby Jessica WeidensallAmong the 600 who participated,there were many athletes who stood outfrom the crowd with their inspirationalstories.Lori Hampton, 36, from Denver,finished her first race ever, participatingas a Mother/Daughter Team with her 7-year-old daughter. Hampton <strong>and</strong> daughtercompeted alongside more than 90 Mother/Daughter teams, making this Iron Girl’slargest Mother/Daughter turn-out to date.Jemma Weideman of Silverthorne, 23,has liver <strong>and</strong> endometrial cancer <strong>and</strong> racedto support Iron Girl’s charity, the UlmanCancer Fund, which benefits young adultswith cancer.Jennifer Fey from Wheat Ridge wasrecently diagnosed with Type I Diabetes<strong>and</strong> used the event to become <strong>and</strong> stayactive.Lisa Ruskaup from Highl<strong>and</strong>s Ranchwas diagnosed with chiari malformation <strong>and</strong>fibromyalgia. She fought through her daily pain<strong>and</strong> migraines to train for <strong>and</strong> compete in theevent.Athletes from more than 20 states <strong>and</strong>Canada participated, ranging in fitness levelfrom elite to first-timer. In an effort to provide aunique experience for all participants, the eventfeatured added amenities such as a post-racecatered Breakfast Café, RYKA performancetechnical shirts, personalized race bibs featuringMore than 600 participants, ranging inage from 7-years-old to 66-years-old,became Iron Girls at the RYKA IronGirl 5-Mile <strong>and</strong> 5K. <strong>The</strong> event, at Veteran’sPark in Denver, provided athletes with abeautiful backdrop of downtown Denver <strong>and</strong>the mountains as they started <strong>and</strong> finished at thesteps of the famed <strong>Colorado</strong> State Capitol. each participant’s first name, age group awards,58 coloradorunnermag.com September/October 2006custom finishers medals, <strong>and</strong> much more.Iron Girl, in its third year as an eventbasedbr<strong>and</strong>, offers a competitive platform forwomen of all ages <strong>and</strong> fitness levels. <strong>The</strong> missionof Iron Girl is for women to embrace a healthylifestyle <strong>and</strong> aim to achieve their personal bests.<strong>The</strong> 2006 RYKA Iron Girl National Women’sEvent Series consists of eight events, includingfive running/walking events, two triathlons <strong>and</strong>one duathlon.628 Finishers (257 - 5M, 231 - 5K, 140 - Teams) - WinningTime Chip Timing by:BKB Ltd. - Weather: Overcast, 60 degrees - Elevation: Start/Finish = 5,250’5M (Overall): 1. Jill Horst, 27, Albuquerque, NM, 31:40; 2.Barbarann Mallory, 47, Littleton, CO, 32:03; 3. Sheila Geere,43, <strong>Colorado</strong> Springs, CO, 32:19; 4. Jena Pohle, 26, Aurora,CO, 32:44; 5. Kristin Donald, 24, Brighton, CO, 33:36; 6. SarahLew<strong>and</strong>owski, 22, Centenial, CO, 34:30; 7. Denice Murphy,37, Morrison, CO, 34:52; 8. Peggy Muhn, 54, Wheat Ridge,CO, 35:00; 9. Karen Voss, 41, Denver, CO, 35:06; 10. JacquieGarrelts, 44, Littleton, CO, 35:32. Masters (40+): 1. BarbarannMallory, 47, Littleton, CO, 32:03. Gr<strong>and</strong> Masters (50+): 1. PeggyMuhn, 54, Wheat Ridge, CO, 35:00. Seniors (60+): 1. MarySmith, 65, <strong>Colorado</strong> Springs, CO, 50:34. Mother/DaughterTeam: 1. Team Bishop, Julia Bishop (38:32) & Andrea Bishop(41:53), 1:20:26. 5K (Overall): 1. Jocelyn Petrella, 26, Denver,CO, 18:44; 2. Deirdre Matthews, 36, 18:46; 3. Michelle Sloan, 34,20:03; 4. Angie Anderson, 25, Denver, CO, 20:23; 5. Sara Brady,21, Englewood, CO, 20:27; 6. Rachel Luginbill, 36, Denver, CO,20:30; 7. Barbara Blakley, 28, Denver, CO, 20:55; 8. Kelly Burke,35, Highl<strong>and</strong>s Ranch, CO, 21:05; 9. Sophie Galleher, 18, 21:46;10. Kelly Evans, 22, <strong>Colorado</strong> Springs, CO, 22:17. Masters(40+): 1. Trisha Davis, 55, Lakewood, CO, 25:55. Gr<strong>and</strong> Masters(50+): 1. Trisha Davis, 55, Lakewood, CO, 25:55. Seniors (60+):1. Dorothy Reid, 63, Arvada, CO, 32:02. Mother/Daughter Team:1. Lightnin’ Ladies, Rhonda Bershok (21:33) & Jeanette BershokAmes (21:57), 43:30.This Page - Top: Steve Glass / Glass Phootgraphy, Bottom: ASIPhotoOpposite - Patty Griffiths / <strong>Colorado</strong> <strong>Runner</strong>
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