The 12K distance of the December edition of this Colorado Masters Running Association race served as the Road Runners Club of America state championship for cross country. 70 hardy runners came to play in the fields around Aurora Sports Park and the surrounding open space, none speedier than 26 year-old Boulder steeplechase specialist Robert Mandje, who also won the October Colorado Masters race. Unlike the relatively close finish of the Coal Creek Cross Country Challenge, Robert built and maintained a lead to the finish. A professional runner coached by former marathon great Lorraine Moller, Robert claimed the Open Championship in a blazing 43:14 (5:48 per mile) on this challenging course. Jitka O'Farrell, 31, claimed the women's open title with a time of 57:29 (7:43). The 2008 Masters (40+) winner is Keith Johnson, 47, with a time of 47:32 (6:23). The Grand Masters (50+) title went to Greg Ayres, 50, in a time of 61:08 (8:12). There were no women competitors in the masters and grand masters age groups.

This edition of the race again featured 3 laps of a 4 kilometer (about 2-1/2 miles) loop. The race course started and finished at Coal Creek Rodeo Arena off 6th Avenue in eastern Aurora. About half of the course was run on the beautiful green lawns bordering the soccer fields of Aurora Sports Park. The other sections of the course included a variety of surfaces: sandy, single track trails, a dirt road, short stretches of gravel and asphalt paths, and open fields. The most unique portion was a 100 meter-long narrow, winding "tunnel" through willow brush. Most challenging to runners was an icy creek crossing. Most competitors avoided getting their feet wet by working their way over fallen logs that bridged the cold water. A few brave harriers chose to save time by splashing through the murky foot-deep pool at the crossing.

At the 9:00 am start the sandy trail sections, rutted by horse hooves, were frozen into ankle busting ridges and portions of the lawns were crusty. By the time the 12K race was over the trails and lawns grew soggy with melting snow. Despite the challenges, our youngest competitor, 7 year-old Kathryn Stone was the first female finisher, completing the 4K distance running with her father Chris Stone in an amazing 23:33. The oldest competitor in the field, Ken Green, age 79, impressed and brought a rousing cheer from the finish line crowd by completing the full 12K distance with a time of 94:27.

It took a tremendous effort by a great number of people to put this event together. Along with race co-director Rob Fisher, I'd like to thank all the volunteers who made this event possible, including; Joe Sanchez (equipment, water and soda); Tom Alison (awards coordinator); Vici DeHaan (prize coordinator and course marshal); Joe Baird (timing); Connie Ahrnsbrak (registration), Rosalia Murch (registration); Mike Vanoni (scoring); Chris Vanoni (RRCA awards and banners); Ken Simon (course marshal and insurance); and Ashley Birger (photos). Special thanks to my wife Lu and sons Joey and Sam for their assistance in course set-up, tear down, and marshaling. Also, I'd like to extend special thanks to the City of Aurora for permitting the event, including Ranger Justin Clark with Aurora Open Space and Manager Dan Adams with Aurora Sports Park.