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State Record Set at Rocky Mountain Half
Arby’s Rocky Mountain Half Marathon, 5.5K, Seagate Women’s 8K June 10, 2007 Denver, CO
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Hot temperatures and sunny skies left many runners gasping for air and dripping in sweat at the finish line of the Rocky Mountain Half Marathon, but the scorching temperatures didn’t deter Nuta Olaru from setting a record for the fastest time ever run by a female in Colorado. The Romanian runner crossed the finish line in 1:13:28, breaking Maureen Custy-Roben’s 1984 half marathon record of 1:14:08, which was set at the Rawhide Half Marathon in Ft. Collins. Romanian runners dominated the women’s race with Constantina Tomescu-Dita breaking the tape in 1:13:49, followed by Luminita Talpos in 1:14:36, and Lidia Simon in 1:16:11. Silvio Guerra, 38, of Golden won the men’s race in a quick 1:06:56. Richard Kimeli, of Santa Fe, NM finished second in 1:07:35 and Daniel Cheruiyot of Albuquerque, NM placed third in 1:07:49. The runners competed for $11,000 in prize money. In the women’s 8K, Takami Ominami, who is training in Boulder, easily won the race in 29:48. Bronwyn Morrissey, 40, of Superior was the first master and second place runner
overall in 32:38. More than 1,000 runners competed in the three events, which finished in the scenic Riverfront Park of downtown Denver. 1117 Finishers (612 - Half Marathon, 322 - 8K, 183 - 5.5K) - Timing by: Boulder Road Runners - Weather: Sunny, 65-80 degrees - Elevation: Start/Finish = 5,180’ Half Marathon Male (Overall): 1. Silvio Guerra, 38, Golden, CO, 1:06:56; 2. Richard Kimeli, 27, Santa Fe, NM, 1:07:35; 3. Daniel Cheruiyot, 29, Albuquerque, NM, 1:07:49; 4. Samuel Kiprotich, 33, 1:11:04; 5. Brantley Lutz, 32, San Antonio, TX, 1:11:06; 6. Andrew Smith, 31, Denver, CO, 1:11:46; 7. Efrem Haile, 29, Aurora, CO, 1:13:01; 8. John Sang, 36, 1:13:26; 9. Bob Weiner, 42, Evergreen, CO, 1:13:59; 10. Gaman Maricel, 35, Boulder, CO, 1:14:36. Masters (40+): 1. Bob Weiner, 42, Evergreen, CO, 1:13:59. Grand Masters (50+): 1. Eric Binder, 50, Littleton, CO, 1:28:56. Seniors (60+): 1. Michael Fye, 60, Highlands Ranch, CO, 1:37:26. Female (Overall): 1. Nuta Olaru, 36, Longmont, CO, 1:13:28; 2. Constantina Tomescu-Dita, 37, Erie, CO, 1:13:49; 3. Luminita Talpos, 34, Boulder, CO, 1:14:36; 4. Lidia Simon, 33, Boulder, CO, 1:16:11; 5. Hiromi Ominami, 31, Boulder, CO, 1:18:14; 6. Leah Kiprono, 27, Santa Fe, NM, 1:23:29; 7. Kerrie Wlad, 35, Longmont, CO, 1:24:18; 8. Kelly Marie Devine, 23, Dover, PA, 1:30:01; 9. Jena Pohle, 27, Aurora, CO, 1:31:06; 10. Tania Pacev, 48, Littleton, CO, 1:32:11. Masters (40+): 1. Tania Pacev, 48, Littleton, CO, 1:32:11. Grand Masters (50+): 1. Joanne Larson, 50, Louisville, CO, 1:59:04. Seniors (60+): 1. Marsha McNally, 61, Denver, CO, 2:35:07. 8K Female (Overall): 1. Takami Ominami, 31, Boulder, CO, 29:48; 2. Bronwyn Morrissey, 40, Superior, CO, 32:38; 3. Lyndsy Schultz, 25, Littleton, CO, 33:20; 4. Kylie Ramsey, 32, Littleton, CO, 33:31; 5. Lynde Christine Johnson, 29, Denver, CO, 33:50. Masters (40+): 1. Bronwyn Morrissey, 40, Superior, CO, 32:38. Grand Masters (50+): 1. Carole Hogan, 57, Westminster, CO, 44:07. Seniors (60+): 1. Sandra Rostie, 63, Brighton, CO, 48:49. 5.5K Male (Overall): 1. Trent Van Horn, 26, Boulder, CO, 22:40. Female (Overall): 1. Katie Clifford, 31, Littleton, CO, 24:56.
Women race to the finish of the Seagate Women’s 8K.
New Course at Garden of the Gods Garden of the Gods 10M June 10, 2007 Manitou Springs, CO
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With a new course winding over awe-inspiring hills, the 31st annual Garden of the Gods 10 mile race attracted more than 1,300 runners – the biggest turnout in a decade. Celedonio Rodriguez, 26, of Alamosa won the race in 54:28. It was his first time competing in the event. Philip Sakala (55:52) and Andrew Robinson (56:24), both of Colorado Springs, finished second and third. Maria Portilla, 35, of Albuquerque, NM was the first female to cross the finish line, running 1:02:20. She was just 10 seconds ahead of runner-up Emily Mortensen of Alamosa. Portilla’s victory earned her $1,000 of the $5,000 prize purse. Boulder’s Katie Blackett, 30, was third in 1:03:04. Race director Matt Carpenter said, “The prize money offered by Carmichael Training Systems really stepped things up a level. Bottom line, it is important to treat the sport like a sport if it is going to grow and remain strong at a competitive level. At the same time, it is critical that we look out for the future of the sport as well.” The post-race party was held at Memorial Park in Manitou Springs, where some runners dipped their legs in the creek to cool down. Participants and their families enjoyed pizza, drinks, a small expo and post race massages. 36
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July/August 2007
Local high school running programs volunteered at the aid stations. The Colorado Running Company awarded the programs with more than $3,000. Runners voted Cheyenne Mountain the best aid station. With a “Welcome to Mars” theme, the volunteers painted themselves green. The race was the first leg of the Triple Crown of Running Series, which also includes the Summer Roundup and the Pikes Peak Ascent. The race was also a part of this year’s Colorado Runner Racing Series. 1336 Finishers - Timing by: Pikes Peak Road Runners - Weather: Sunny, 6580 degrees - Elevation: Start/Finish = 6,315’ with 1,300 feet of climbing and descending and a high point of 6,565’ Male (Overall): 1. Celedonio Rodriguez, 26, Alamosa, CO, 54:28; 2. Philip Sakala, 24, Colorado Springs, CO, 55:52; 3. Andrew Robinson, 29, Colorado Springs, CO, 56:24; 4. Paul Digrappa, 25, Colorado Springs, CO, 56:57; 5. Aaron RubalcabaLopez, 22, Colorado Springs, CO, 57:09; 6. Daryn Parker, 26, Manitou Springs, CO, 57:13; 7. Glen Mays, 36, Little Rock, AR, 57:33; 8. Adam Rich, 26, Colorado Springs, CO, 58:04; 9. Alex Nichols, 22, Colorado Springs, CO, 58:36; 10. John Gaudette, 21, Denver, CO, 59:01. Masters (40+): 1. Michael Hagen, 44, Colorado Springs, CO, 1:00:44. Grand Masters (50+): 1. Ron Hendricks, 55, Highlands Ranch, CO, 1:05:34. Seniors (60+): 1. Jim Boughter, 63, Colorado Springs, CO, 1:11:08. Female (Overall): 1. Maria Portilla, 35, Albuquerque, NM, 1:02:20. 2. Emily Mortensen, 24, Alamosa, CO, 1:02:30; 3. Katie Blackett, 30, Boulder, CO, 1:03:04; 4. Paula Morrison, 34, Manitou Springs, CO, 1:04:26; 5. Megan Lund, 23, Colorado Springs, CO, 1:04:50; 6. Stephanie Jones, 37, Colorado Springs, CO, 1:05:21; 7. Stacey Chaston, 37, Colorado Springs, CO, 1:06:32; 8. Susan Mikecz, 28, Albuquerque, NM, 1:08:16; 9. Connilee Walter, 34, Colorado Springs, CO, 1:10:29; 10. Letitia Dusich, 26, Colorado Springs, CO, 1:10:52. Masters (40+): 1. Kristin Moreau, 40, Golden, CO, 1:15:57. Grand Masters (50+): 1. Peggy Muhn, 55, Wheat Ridge, CO, 1:19:12. Seniors (60+): 1. Connie Ahrnsbrak, 67, Lakewood, CO, 1:32:13.
Top: Jessica Griffiths / Colorado Runner Bottom: Michael Patton Photography
Adam Rich leads Paul DiGrappa through the Central Garden Area.