Fortunately the day began with clear, sunny skies with starting temperatures in the low 20s. No complaints, though, since it could have been held last weekend when the temperatures were in the single digits. Monday, the winds in my hometown, Boulder, were gusting to 90 mph. Then Wednesday, the temperature hovered around 2 degrees. How lucky can you get?

The number of volunteers that came out was amazing. Since it was a pancake breakfast, Joe Baird, Tom Alison and Lew Hutch were there at sunrise to set up the grill and mix the fixings for the pancakes. Rosalia and Jerry Murch assisted by Connie Ahrnsbrak handled the registration. Levi Gonzales consented to stand next to the interstate in the cold to make sure everyone turned around there. At the other end of the course, Scott Chamberlain made sure we headed back to the finish line. Joe Baird, Joe Gonzales and Connie handled the finish line results. Todd Dunning assisted everywhere anyone needed a hand. As you can tell, this race required lots of helping hands, and as is usual for this club, they're always out there.

A huge vote of thanks goes to Jim Price and Pat Phillips who went out the Thursday before the race to re-calibrate the painted mile markers that had been paved over when the sidewalk was redone. The day of the race found Jim out placing the cones and marking the turns with flour.

Great Harvest Bread Company outdid themselves by donating four large boxes of goodies. Between all the bread and the various prizes that I collected throughout the year, including 3 gift certificates from Boulder Running Company, a gift certificate for thongs from Teva, dinner in Denver, Everyone seemed to have a good time selecting the prize of their choice.

We would also like to thank those out- of- towners like the Huies' who drove up from Colorado Springs, Jesse Tijerina from Ft. Lupton, J Gutierrez & Laura McCoy from Greeley, and Bob Caillouette from Milliken. It is appreciated by the members.