Wow, it is hard to believe that this is the 4th Annual already. It seems like yesterday I was laying the course out for the first time. It's a lot easier now with experience but I still needed plenty of help to put on the show.

First, I want to thank the Weatherman. In the four years there has only been one bad day. Some of you will remember last year with the snow and sleet, enough cold and wind to cancel the awards and keep us from putting the frosting on the cake. The first couple weekends in April can bring almost anything. Three years ago we had a magnificent day for the race and then 18 inches of snow the next day. So, this year was great: temperatures in the 50's and a little cold wind that came up near the end but all in all a very good weather day.

We changed up the course just a little this year. Dan Shaw and I spent a couple afternoons running over the old course doing some measuring and discussing changes. In an effort to make it a little more compact we added a loop down along the Sand Creek in the first mile. Most of the runners liked the change. Expect more changes in the future. Once Westerly Creek is rerouted to the satisfaction of the Corps of Engineers the Sand Creek Trail in the Stapleton area will be completely redone. Who knows when that will happen, but more than likely within the next couple years.

he race was another "run away" with Stan Pyle winning by almost one minute over two-time winner Keith Johnson (2005 and 2006). Keith has finished in the top 3 in each of the races. At 26 years old, Stan was hardly a master but he sure did master the course. Tania Pacev took the honors on the female side, winning by almost one minute over Denise Glenn. 71 runners showed up to test the course and themselves.

The awards presentations were held this year thanks to the weather. There were plenty of great prizes for the drawings and most runners walked away with some type of reward for their day's efforts. As usual, Great Harvest Bread in Arvada provided some great bread. Road Runner Sports gave us hats and a gift certificate for a pair of high end shoes. Boulder Running Company gave us several gift certificates. Please buy some stuff at their stores. And don't forget our great medals. There is no better place to get value for your running dollar than at a CMRA race.

As usual lots of people pitched in to make sure the event was successful. Rosalia Murch took care of registration. Joe Baird and Tom Alison helped with the finish line. Will Shaw created the promotional posters. Lu and Joey Shaw manned the turn around and aid station. And of course Joe Sanchez brought all the support equipment and supplies. I can't forget my wife. Nancy again pitched in and filled in where ever we needed help.