Three years in a row of perfect weather is too much to expect in Colorado mid-March. Race day arrived with howling winds, lots of snow, and bad roads. The good thing was there were no bikes or strollers to contend with on the trail. The CMRA race directors guide that suggests that with a race over 5 miles, that a 5K course be set up, we set up the course markers the night before for both the 10K and 5K. Sure enough, 28 brave souls showed up in time for the race. We were huddled around the registration desk trying to decide what to do. A consensus spread through the group to all run the 5K, so that's what we did. Just to make you folks that stayed in a warm bed, a 10 year old girl, Alisa Jackson ran and finished quite well.

The volunteers who usually run the finish line and take times could not make it and we thought we would just have places. However, we got nearly 95% of the times thanks to most runners wearing high-tech watches (only the hard core, time-obsessed runners would show up on such a day). Overall winners were Keith Johnson (19:15) and Elizabeth Hayden (28:21). Age goup winners were Jim Romero (M70-74), Tom Chambers (M65-69), Scott McFarlane (M60-64), Michael Guenther (M50-64), Kathy Johnson (F50-64), Scott Jackson (M45-49), Nicole Shaklee (F 45-49), David Rothenburger (M40-44), Sherri Spotted Bear (F40-44), John Ramos (M35-39), and Stephen Johnson (M34 and under). The High School winner was 16 year-old Coe Spotted Bear and, of course, Alissa Jackson was the 13 and under winner (36:23, how does that make you feel?)

Many thanks to all the volunteers: Connie Ahrnsbrak did a great job with registration and results. Janet Ralston and Nicole Shaklee helped with registration. Erica Shiflett from the Boulder Physiotherapy Associates clinic helped with water station, finish line and clean up. Davia and Cathy Wise stood in the bitter cold to help with the water station and finish line. Bonnie Pitzer stood at the the 5K turn around point to ensure no one ran off course. Earl Pitzer helped set up the courses on Friday, helped with the course Saturday morning and helped with clean up and Tom Chambers acquired and helped with the awards.

This report would be woefully incomplete without mention of the Pancho and staff of Platte River Bar and Grill who provided a warm, welcoming place for registration and awards. After the race I was very pleased to see so many runners enjoying lunch at the Platte River Bar and Grille. I hope this is enough thanks to them for the generosity.

Thanks also to Boulder Running Club who provided $20 gift certificates, Physiotherapy Associate Clinics of Denver area for T-shirts as prizes and raffle and Great Harvest Bread Company of Greenwood Village for bread loaves as raffle prizes.

David Wise, 2013 Spring Spree Race Director