Runners enjoyed another great Scott McFarlane Course on Saturday, November 14 at Cherry Creek State Park. The morning started out with a light covering of snow and cold temperatures as the runners took to the trail. The gravel trail meandered into the park around a pond toward the shooting range. Runners then ran onto a single track that looped through a meadow with willows whipping their legs and mud splattering their backs. The terrain was challenging for the loop with the freshly fallen snow melting into slippery mud. Two runners succumbed to the mud with falls, but were able to finish the race.

Despite the adverse conditions fifty eight runners and two walkers completed the race. Omar Martinez was the first finisher at 47:31, two minutes ahead of the rest of the pack. Laura Mortimer was the overall female winner, finishing eleventh with a time of 56:04. Second and third finishers were Martin Wesolowski and Michael Quispe, finishing 49:35 and 49:54. Michael was also the first male finisher in the 40 - 44 age group, with Keith Johnson finishing fourth, the first male in the 45 - 49 group. Ondrej Hejduk took the 35-39 male category and Dan Shaw finished first in the 50 - 54 group at 57:04. Martha Hosotani was the second female finisher, just over an hour at 60:29. Monica Ryan was close behind as the third woman taking first in the 45 - 49 age group at 60:46.

Lou Huie was the first male in the 60-64 age group at 61:48, and Heather Biglow took her age group at 35. David Hill captured the 55-59 male category and Michelle Slingsby the female 40-44 group. The B-Man ( Jim Romero) took the 65 - 69 male group and Kool Shades (Ken Randall) the 70-74 male first place medal. Claradene Stewart finished first in the 60 - 64 female group and Stonewall (Kenneth Green) ran a very respectable 90:20 at age 80!

Special kudos to Sam Martinez, who ran for two and finished 36 minutes behind her husband Omar. The two walkers, Ian Monk and Nanette Benvegnue, completed a 5k version of the course.

Thanks to the many volunteers that made this race happen: Joe Sanchez for bringing the equipment and manning a water table, Connie Ahrnsbrak for registration and finish line work, Rosalia Murch for registration, and course marshals Bruce Kirschner and Bob Bussey. Stan Haskins helped as road monitor, Tom Alison did the timing, Tom Chambers organized the medals and Ian Monk and Nannett Benvegnue assisted at the finish line. Also, a Dedicated Effort Award goes to Scott McFarlane, who not only planned the course, but got a flat tire in the whipping willows while clearing the flags from the course and had to ride it twice in the bitter cold, muddy conditions after the race.

Special thanks to the new Boulder Running Company located at Arapahoe, just west of I-25, Runners Roost, Colorado Runner Magazine and Great Harvest Bread. The raffle prizes were very popular!