Atalanta to have its 30 annual
So many Pueblo races have come and gone. The Diet Pepsi 10K. The Symphony Run. The Blood Run. The State Home Run. The Dam Run, the Holy Family Run. The list of road races that have met their demise for one reason or another around here could go on and on.
Then there is one that this Saturday morning will have its 30th annual start – the women-only Atalanta 5K Run/Walk at City Park. The event includes both a 5-kilometer walk at 8:45 a.m. and a 5K run at 9 a.m. It is open to females of all ages and ability levels, including beginners.
While the number of Atalanta entries doesn’t come close to some of the bigger races in this area, there’s a reason why it has endured for so long. Simply put, it’s a race that encourages all levels of ability, from novice to elite, from walker to runner, from hard-core competitor to those devoted to just being fit. At the same time, having the women-only format appeals in the same way that the Curves phenomenon has found a fitness niche in our nation.
To mark year No. 30, race directors Stacey Diaz and Jacqueline Wall have come up unique mementoes for each entrant – a cool running hat and a charm bracelet, the latter pretty much unheard of in running circles. In addition, the awards will again be made by Kathie Arwood, who was one of the women runners back when the race first started and who produced “golden apple” awards that year.
Traditionally, males have conducted the race for the women, and that is expected to hold true to form again Saturday.
Registration is continuing this week at the Gold Dust Saloon on Union Avenue, and race-day registration will begin at 7:30 a.m. in the City Park Pavilion. Registration forms are available at the Gold Dust and the Pueblo YMCA as well as online on the Southern Colorado Runners’ website.
Marathons
Larry Volk, 44, of Pueblo recorded a 3:21 time to lead a contingent of 11 area runners who completed the Denver Marathon on Oct. 19, and three Puebloans qualified for the Boston Marathon. Boston qualifiers were Peggy Oreskovich, 46, who ran a 3:43, Carol Kinzy, 60, who had a 3:52 time and Dave Diaz, 60, who ran a 3:57. Other local finishers and their times were Shawn Loppnow, 41, 3:31; Anthony Nicola, 20, 3:40; Paula McCabe, 36, 4:03; Humberto Paredes, 51, 4:03; Robert Santoyo, 46, 4:34; Katie Davis, 33, 4:47; and Deke Goehringer, 20, 4:57. John Roldan, 40, of Pueblo led area finishers in the half-marathon with a swift 1:35 time.
The husband-and-wife team of Kerry and Vicki Meier of Canon City had an emotional experience at the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, DC on Oct. 26. They picked that marathon because Kerry, 43, is a former marine, and they wanted to raise money for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation that provides help to U.S. soldiers and their families. Having set a goal of finishing in under four hours, they completed the journey in 3:58 plus change over the new, hillier course. It was Kerry’s first marathon, and the tenth for Vicki, 39. They raised $2,800 for the foundation.
Unable to run the Denver Marathon because of another commitment, Robin Krueger, 40, of Pueblo West elected to run the Santa Clarita Marathon in California a week later. The choice was a good one as Robin beat her 3:50 Boston Marathon age qualifying time with a strong 3:43 effort, winning her age division and placing twelfth out of 101 women finishers.
Jessie Quintana, 64, of Pueblo West was one of 4,639 finishers in the Nike Women’s Marathon held Oct. 19 in San Francisco, completing the journey in 6:14. Jessie had tuned up with a 2:33 half-marathon in the American Discovery Trial race in Colorado Springs on Labor Day.
Running
Brian Ropp, 45, of Pueblo leads all area runners after the first three of the four-race Fall Series taking place in the Colorado Springs area. Ropp also is first in his age division and twenty-third overall. Kyle Reno, 26, of Peyton, who prepped at Pueblo County High School, is eleventh overall and fourth in his age bracket. Jane Chess, 54, of Florence is third in the women’s 50-54 division. The final race of the series if Nov. 16 at Palmer Park.
Triathalon
Michael Orendorff, 57, of Pueblo completed an epic triathlon year by placing third in his age division of the Xterra USA Championships held last month at Lake Tahoe. It was Mike’s first serious foray into the off-road triathlon experience.
Race Calendar
• Saturday – Atalanta Women’s Run, 5K run/walk, 8 a.m., City Park (564-9303).
• Saturday – Run 4 U.S., 4M, 1 pm, Fort Carson’s Turkey Creek Ranch (205-1741).
• Nov. 29 – Temple Canyon Run (Prediction Series race), 4M, 9 a.m., Canon City (784-6514).
• Dec. 6 – Rock Canyon Half-Marathon, 13.1M, 9 a.m., City Park in Pueblo (564-9303).
• Dec. 24 Rudolph’s Reindeer Run (Prediction Series race), 4.25M, 9 am, 10 Nona Brooks Ct., 561-0741.
Send comments and fitness information to Gary Franchi via e-mail at [email protected].