Another Racing Season Kicks Off Early

December, 2004 Fit to be Tied Column

From the Pueblo Chieftain
by Gary Franchi

Another Racing Season Kicks Off Early

Here we go again!

It’s another new year and that can only mean one thing — we’ve all got another chance to reduce the excess bulges and get our bodies in shape. To some with the inclination and fortitude, that might even mean getting into competitive shape.

Here in southern Colorado, runners are fortunate to have the opportunity to get 2005 started off right on Saturday morning by heading just a few miles north to Colorado Springs to enter the Rescue Run. The site is Palmer Park, located on Maizeland St. just off north Academy Blvd.

The 5K and 10K divisions conveniently accommodate different aerobic levels, and the low-key atmosphere is perfect for those who value a quality workout more than the need to strive for racing excellence. Hey, let’s leave the racing excellence for much later in the year.

Meanwhile, Saturday will have much deeper significance for Marv Bradley of Cañon City. Now 65 years young, Bradley will be in Kingwood, Texas in hopes of finishing the 100th marathon of his career in the Texas Marathon.

In machine-like fashion, Bradley clipped off 12 marathons in 2004 after running 13 in 2003. However, the 2004 total doesn’t count the 58+ miles he ran in the 135-mile Kiehl’s Badwater Ultramarathon partially through Death Valley, Calif., in July.

He and running mate Cheryl Cook-McCoy of Salida are on a mission to run a marathon in all 50 states. It will be the second such accomplishment for Marv. Cook-McCoy and Sam McClure of Cañon City are both closing in fast on their first 50-state feats.

Local running scene

Local runners won’t get their first shot at a Pueblo race until Feb., 5, when the annual Frostbite 5 (for 5 miles) is held at City Park. Yeah, it’s a bit later than last year’s Jan. 17 date, but remember that good things come to those who wait. Besides, the beautiful, long-sleeved mock turtleneck shirts are always a special treat.

Adhering to the “when it rains, it pours” rule, there will be Pueblo races the following two weekends as well. On Feb. 12 is the Valentine’s Twosome partners race, and on Feb. 20 is the Spring Runoff Tuneup, which kicks off the increasingly popular Prediction Race Series. The 10-race 2004 series drew 133 racers.

Speaking of the Spring Runoff, the 27th annual version is scheduled for Sunday, March 6, at Dutch Clark Stadium. All Runoff races – the 10-miler, 10K, 5K and 2-mile walk – have been retained, but the 2-mile race is being changed to a fun walk instead of a competitive walk.

Looking ahead a bit, the well-liked Beulah Challenge, which consists of a 10K run and 5K walk, is back on the calendar again (Aug. 6) after a two-year absence. There will be new courses, but, as the race’s name implies, they will be as challenging as in the past.

Winter Series

This annual four-race series in the Colorado Springs area will begin Jan. 8, and racers will again have their choice of entering the long or short series. Noteworthy is that members of the Southern Colorado Runners get a $20 series discount.

Triple Crown of Running

Registration for these races will start on March 1, 2005, and online registration will be offered. The series consists of the Garden of the Gods 10-Mile Run, the Summer Roundup 12KTrail Run and the Pikes Peak Ascent and/or Marathon. Since this will be the 50th anniversary of the marathon, look for the race to fill up fast.

Multisport

Pueblo’s 2005 multi-sport events are scheduled for April 17 (Y-Bi Classic Duathlon) and May 14-15 (Ordinary Mortals Triathlon). The Colorado triathlon calendar is still being developed, but it already is obvious that the sport’s growth will again lead to a full slate of races, sometimes giving triathletes the choice of events on a particular weekend. A notable date change is the Fort Collins Triathlon and Duathlon moving from July to May 22. Also, the Rattlesnake Triathlon series has been reduced to one sprint-distance event on Aug. 28.

Upcoming Area Races

• Feb. 5 – Frostbite 5, 5M, 10 a.m., Pueblo City Park (543-5151).
• Feb. 12 – Valentine’s Twosome, 1.6M both partners, 9 a.m., Pueblo City Park (947-3682).
• Feb. 20 – Spring Runoff Tuneup, 10K, 9 a.m., Pueblo City Park swim pool parking lot (564-0847).
• March 7 – Spring Runoff, 10M, 10K, 5K, 2M fun run, 9 a.m., Dutch Clark Stadium (547-2777).

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