Stapleton XC
RRCA US Western Region Cross Country Championship
December 14, 2013
By Dan Shaw
The weak December sunshine struggled to warm the day, and light winds
enhanced the chill of cool temperatures in the 30's. Compared to past
years, the course offered solid footing, with the grassy areas free of
old snow, and on the trail sections the bare ground stayed cool enough
to remain frozen, not muddy. Fast times reflected the good course
conditions.
For the second consecutive year, this race has served as the RRCA US
Western Region Championship Event. The 12K course consisted of 2 laps
of the 6K (3.73 miles) loop. Defending women's open champion Molly
Smith clocked 51:24, beating her time from last year but not beating
Megan Fibbe, who took the 2013 title in 50:50. Stacy Totherow took
the Masters (age 40+) title in a time of 58:57. Ellen Kennard is the
Grand Masters (50+) titlist, in 63:41, and Claradene Stewart grabbed the
Senior Grand Master (60+) championship in 71:45. For the men, Lonnie
Cruz claimed the open championship with a time of 43:52. Keith Johnson
is the Masters champion, clocking 47:19. Michael Brenner finished in
55:57 to take the Grand Masters title, and Bruce Kirschner, entering a
new age group this year, took the Senior Grand Masters title in 57:36.
Congratulations to all our 2013 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: Todd Nikkel, Ian
Monk, Jane Harbert, Jen Forker, Joe Sanchez, Joe Baird, Ben Bergstrand,
Michael Abbot, Ken Randall, and Tom Chambers. We'd also like to thank
Boulder Running Company for providing gift certificates, Great Harvest
Bread Company's Arvada store, providing scones and breads, and the City
of Denver's Parks Department.
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