Well, it wasn't especially good weather this year but it was much better than 2013 and much better than forecast. The snow held off and the high winds were moderate but cold. We had a good turn out of 100 participants and, considering the temperature and a moderate wind, times were good.

The courses this year had to be changed significantly from the past 4 years races are now not permitted south of Lee Gulch trail. These changes and a freak heavy snow storm caused problems when RMRR staged a race on a similar course a few weeks back. We were determined for that to not happen for our race.

Overall winners were (Male) Lenny Laraid (35:55) and (Female) Bret Scofield (39:54). Age goup winners were Jack Berry (M75-79, 57:58), Bill Faulker (M70-74, 53:27), Janet Sandoval (F 65-69, 59:49), Charley Perez (M65-69, 45:25, a great time), Judy Laney (F 60-64, 53:23), John Perez (M60-64, 49:08), Kimberly Massey (F 55-59, 56:59), Robert Caillouette (M 55-59, 49:15), Teresa Jockers (F 50-54, 48:53), Raul Carrizalez (M 50-54, 37:51, a great time), Stacey Totherow (F 45-49, 55:48), David Rothenburger (M45-49, 39:40), Laurie Nakauchi (F40-44, 51:34), Dan Cornell (M 40-44, 42:59), Brooke Brandt (F 35-39, 51:39), Ely Porter (M 35-39, 38:08), Molly Smith (F 35 and under, 40:33) and Danial Barron (M34 and under, 37:03).

In the 5K walk, first female was Rosalie Dexter (37:40) while first male was Ed Gussie (42:15). While not an official category, mention should be made of Olga Hnizdil who ran/walked the 5 K in 41:15 and Jan Hill who Race walked the entire 10K in 1:08:35.

I like to recognize outstanding times run in the different races. I think one of the best ways is to look at an age-graded chart to see good percentage results. I would like to point out a few of these. I used the USTAF age-graded calculator for a 10K road race. Roughly, if a runner scores a 90%, he or she would be considered a "world class" runner for his age category. A percentage o or higher would be 80% or better and 70% or higher would be the top regional runner. While there were no runners in this race that were in the first international category, 3 runners were in the national category and 4 in the top-regional category. In descending those runners were: Bill Faulkner (M, age 72, 88%, Ed Youngberg (M, age 71, 86%, Raul Carrizalez (M, age 53, 83%), Charley Perez (M, age 66, 83%), Robert Caillouette, M, age 59, 79%, Bret Schofield (F, age 26, 75%), Chuck Lowrie (M, age 66, 75%), and Molly Smith (F, age 33, 75%).

Many thanks to all the volunteers: Connie Ahrnsbrak did a great job with registration and results. Jan Harbert and Ian Monk helped with registration. Karen Voss of Catalyst Physical Therapy was the starter and helped with the 3-mile water station. Bonnie Pitzer and Cathy Wise stood in the bitter cold to at the 3 mile water station and clean up. Ed Ewing doubled as race marshal and water station at the first footbridge and Link Lubken was marshal for the tricky second footbridge. Earl Pitzer helped with course measuring, set up the courses on Saturday, and course clean up. Thanks to Tom Chambers and John Perez for help with 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 and Runner's Roost, Lakewood who donated several door prizes and Great Harvest Bread Company of Arvada for bread loaves as raffle prizes.

David Wise, 2014 Spring Spree Race Director