Hot to Trot 5K part of big Frijoles Festival

September, 2001 Fit to be Tied Column

From the Pueblo Chieftain
by Gary Franchi

Hot to Trot 5K part of big Frijoles Festival

There are some good reasons why the two-day Chile & Frijoles Festival attracted more than 20,000 persons to downtown Pueblo last year.

Most came to help celebrate the harvest of Pueblo chilies by partaking of authentic local food, virtually uninterrupted entertainment and music, arts, spirits and, of course, fresh and roasted chillies. The chili competition and jalapeno eating contests are also popular favorites. Plus, there’s the Heart Walk, which hundreds participate in to help fight heart disease by raising funds for the American Heart Association.

A lesser-known draw is the Hot to Trot 5K (3.1 miles) run, which this year will have its seventh annual run on Sunday, Sept. 23. The fast race course takes place along the Historic Arkansas Riverwalk of Pueblo and the Union Avenue area, with its finish near the Vail Hotel. Afterward, runners can stick around and enjoy the festivities of the second day of the Festival.

Never a big race, Hot to Trot organizers are attempting to attract more runners this year by distributing entry forms along the front range, promoting the Festival in conjunction to the race. Entry forms are available at the Festival-sponsoring Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce, the Pueblo YMCA and at the Gold Dust Saloon on Union Avenue. Loaf ‘n Jug is the race sponsor.

Given the tie-in to the Chile & Frijoles Festival, it’s only fitting that each Hot to Trot entrant will receive a free jar of Pueblo salsa.

Triple Crown of Running

Pueblo runners represented their city well in the three-race Triple Crown of Running series held this summer in the Colorado Springs area. Maddy Tormeon, 39, was the overall winner of the female division by a whopping 30 minutes. Meanwhile, Mark Koch, 42, was seventh overall and the winner of his male age division. Also, Jessie Quintana, 57, took second in her age division, and former Puebloan Chris Borton, 25, was fifth overall and second in his age division.

The Triple Crown consists of the Garden of the Gods 10-mile Run, the Summer Roundup 12K (7.4 miles), and either the Pikes Peak Ascent or a runner’s ascent time of the Pikes Peak Marathon (round trip).

Jessie led her age division after the first two races last year, but the limited Ascent field filled before she could get in her entry in. This year she didn’t take any chances, getting in her Ascent entry form when the registration forms first came out in late winter.

Marathons and Half-Marathons

Although the Pueblo River Trail Marathon and Half-Marathon are history this year, runners have plenty of chances to test themselves at those distances in Colorado. This fall, there are several marathons in the Denver-Boulder corridor and half-marathons closer to home. One of those is the Grand Prix Half-Marathon on Sept. 30 at the Air Force Academy.

One caution for the meek of feet – this course isn’t easy. It starts at Falcon Stadium and winds around the foothills and the AFA campus. If you’ve ever driven around there, you know there isn’t a flat road around.

Then on Dec. 2, the ever-popular annual Rock Canyon Half-Marathon will take place at the home it has found at City Park. This is a continually growing race that attracts long-distance from throughout Colorado. Entry forms will be out soon.

Running News

September 14 is National Run to Work Day, which is designed to promote running as a means to physical fitness and increase the awareness of the environment. This is a great idea, especially if you have a shower you can use at work. If you don’t, you might skip running to work, especially if you have any co-workers.

Former Puebloan Stella Heffron of Elizabeth, CO, not only was the first female finisher in the Run the Rock 5K division in Castle Rock on Aug. 26, but she also was the first finisher in the entire field with a time of 19:17. The race also included 10K and 13K divisions.

Cyclists are grumbling about the rumble strip warnings that are on the shoulders of roads all over the state, and it has caused the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) to agree to install and test a variety of different kinds. Now, Bicycle Colorado is requesting feedback from cyclists on how to solve this problem. If you have an idea, e-mail it to [email protected].

Congrats to Mike Orendorff, 49, of Pueblo for finishing 11th in his age division at the USA Triathlon National Age Group Championships on Saturday in Coer d’Alene, Idaho. Mike had a super time of 2 hours, 15 minutes and 11 seconds over the Olympic-distance course that included a 1.5K swim, 40K bike and 10K run. Mike has qualified for the 50-54 division world championships to be held in Cancun, Mexico next April, when he will be 50.

Upcoming Area Races

* Sept. 8 – Meddac 10K Run, 8 a.m., Fort Carson (598-2953)
* Sept. 15 – No O2 10K, 9 a.m., Leadville (719-486-4226)
* Sept. 23 – Hot to Trot Run, 5K, El Pueblo Plaza (542-1704)
* Oct. 27 – Harvest Poker Run 5M, Lovell Park in Pueblo West (564-9303)

Send comments and fitness information to Gary Franchi via e-mail at [email protected].