In past years, this race has served as the RRCA Colorado State Championship. For 2012 we were honored to take a step up and serve as the RRCA's US Western Regional Championship Event.

Temperatures in the 30's on a sunny Saturday morning greeted racers at Stapleton Central Park this year, unlike some prior championships which were run through snow on the ground and sub-freezing temperatures. 81 competitors fanned out across the starting line at the east end of the park in the still, cool morning air. About half the loop course ran through Stapleton Central Park, including stretches of grass lawn, single track and dirt/gravel paths, and just a smidge of concrete. The remainder ran through open space along Westerly Sand and Sand Creeks, over a mix of gravel paths, single track, dirt roads and a prairie dog town. The mild, dry weather of the preceding weeks allowed for solid footing throughout, without the crust of snow we had last year. Although it seems rather flat at first glance, the race features a surprising and challenging vertical component, with a combined total of 528 feet of elevation gain and drop. The course layout varied somewhat from last year, making for a faster race and alleviating some confusion in spots.

The 12K championship race featured 2 laps of the 6K (3.73 miles) loop. Walkers and three runners who shall remain anonymous found satisfaction completing just one circuit. Of the men who endeavored to complete both laps, first across the line in this year's championship was Rob Kosick in a time of 41:56, an amazing average per mile pace of 5:38, almost 10 minutes faster than last year's overall champion, which is in part at least due to better weather, better traction, and the friendlier course. This is not to diminish Rob's effort however, as he bested the second place finisher by more than three minutes. Mark Waxman garnered the Masters title (40 and over) in 47:36, Keith Johnson took the Grand Masters title ( 50 and over) in a time of 45:50, and the Senior Grand Masters (50+) award went to Bob Cooper with a time of 58:20.

For the second year in a row, the women's title went to Molly Smith in a time of 51:02, more than 8 minutes faster than her winning time last year. Christine Adamowski claimed the Masters title, in 51:59. Theresa Jockers was Grand Masters Champion, with a time of 57:32. Stephanie Wiecks took the Senior Grand Master award, in 62:39. Congratulations to all our 2012 RRCA Western Regional Cross Country Champions!

Co-director Rob Fisher and I would like to extend a big thank you to all the volunteers who pitched in to help, including: new member Todd Nikkel, who spent 4 hours at the park, from setting up banners, signs and the finish line, to helping at the finish line, to picking up after the racing was done; registration coordinators Rosalia and Bob Dexter with able assistance from Jane Harbert and Ian Monk; timing excellence from Mike Vanoni; finish line and scoring help from Mike, Ken Simons and a host of others; equipment help from the extraordinary Joe Baird; and invaluable assistance with set up, the water stop, and course marshalling provided by my lovely wife Lu and wonderful son Sam. Special thanks go to our sponsors who provided prizes to give away, including Boulder Running Company and Runners Roost, and to the City of Denver's Parks Department without whose gracious cooperation we could not begin to put on this event.