Here’s a chance to relive the stadium finish
Runners and walkers who enjoyed finishing on the Dutch Clark Stadium track during The Pueblo Chieftain’s Spring Runoff earlier this month – and the event had a record number of nearly 900 finishers – then you’ll have the chance to relive that type of experience next month.
The Spank Blasing Memorial Run on April 25 not only will finish in the DeRose ThunderBowl Stadium on the Colorado State University-Pueblo campus but will also start there. The race, which includes 5K and 10K run divisions and a 2-mile fun walk, is in its seventh year, the first three years having been a pledge walk and the 10K added in 2008.
Besides the stadium finish, the race has other amenities including a challenging, hilly course through Belmont streets and the university grounds, a drawstring sport bag and sport water bottle instead of the traditional T-shirt, health tests and even back massages. It also includes a post-event breakfast featuring breakfast burritos, yogurt, fruit and drinks. In addition, the top three overall male and female finishers will receive a commemorative mug and gift certificate.
The big advance this year will be the introduction of chip timing conducted by Summit Race Management, an established race-timing system company. It will be the first running-only event in Pueblo to use chip timing.
The move was made because of the event’s explosive growth from its inaugural running year of 36 finishers (it was just a 5K back in 2006) to 274 last year. With the popularity of the event because of the “experience” it gives plus the growing boom in running and fitness, the numbers are expected to increase even further.
Part of those expectations also stem from the fact initial plans call for the Blasing in 2010 to become an all-day extravaganza featuring an intrasquad football game, youth sports activities, band music and other festivities.
Complete race information and an entry form are available on the Southern Colorado Runners’ website.
The Blasing run will be part of a two-race series that will include the Cinco do Mayo on May 3. There will be separate series divisions for the 5K and 10K races. To be eligible for series awards, runners must enter the same distance in both races, and total time will determine top place finishers. The Cinco will also use chip timing this year to accommodate its growing number of participants.
Running
This weekend is a bonanza for Pueblo-area runners. On Saturday, a quick drive up I-25 to Exit 132 is the site of the Widefield 5-Mile Run & 5K Walk taking place on the Fountain Creek Regional Park trail system. The entry fee includes tech shirts this year. The next day, the low-key but scenic and challenging Max Max’s Trail Adventure will take place from the Nature Center to the bluffs above and to the west. There is a 4.6-mile taste tester and a 10.3-mile full-meal deal. This is a predicted-time event with no frills, no entry fee and no shirts and awards, and runners are asked to bring their own liquid to stay fueled during the runs.
A new race on the schedule this spring is the Run With the Bulls that will take place Sunday, May 17, during the five-day Wild Wild West Fest in Pueblo. This 5K run and 2M walk will cover the same course as the popular Hot to Trot in the fall with a different starting and finishing location (one of which will be near the Professional Bull Riders building). Hence, it will take in portions of the Riverwalk and river trail system and finish on Union Avenue. After the race, there will be a barbecue at the Gold Dust Saloon for participants.
Registration for the Triple Crown of Running Series held annually in the Colorado Springs/Manitou Springs area began March 11 and the marathon field is now filled while the Ascent waves are more than 90 percent full. The Triple Crown includes the Garden of the Gods 10-Mile Run on June 14, the Summer Roundup 12K on July 5 and either the Pikes Peak Ascent on Aug. 15 or the ascent portion of the P.P. Marathon on Aug.16. The Expo for the Ascent/Marathon will take place on Aug. 14.
Marathon
Congratulations to John Castanha, 49, of Rye for completing the tough, high-altitude Run Through Time Marathon from Salida to Turret and back in 5 hours and 14 minutes.
Duathlon
Just up the road a bit from Pueblo will be the Cheyenne Mountain Swim-Run on April 5 at Cheyenne Mountain High School in Colorado Springs. Dip gently into the 2009 multi-sport season with a manageable 800-yard swim and 3-mile run.
X-Challenge
This is the 10th anniversary of CSU-Pueblo’s X-Challenge adventure race that takes individuals as well as 2-person and 4-person teams from the university’s campus to the Pueblo Reservoir. The race consists of several low ropes challenge course events at CSU-Pueblo, mountain biking through the Pueblo Greenway trail system, run orienteering in Pueblo City Park, more cycling to the State Park, open-water kayaking in the Pueblo Reservoir and a short run in the State Park. Check the X-Challenge websitefor details and the phone number below for more information.
Race Calendar
• Saturday, March 21– Widefield 5-Mile Run & 5K Walk, 8:30 am, Fountain Creek Nature Trail (719) 391-3515.
• Sunday, March 22 – Mad Max’s Trail Run (Prediction Series race), 10.3M & 4M.6), 8 a.m., Nature Center ([email protected]).
• April 4 – Ramsgate 8 (Prediction Series race), 8K, 8 a.m., 8 Ramsgate in Belmont (dlpfost11@mindspringcom).
• April 18 – Panther Run, 5K & 2M fun walk, 10 a.m., Pueblo City Park ([email protected]).
• April 18 – X-Challenge, adventure race, 8 a.m., CSU-Pueblo to Pueblo Reservoir (549-2381).
• April 19 – Lake Pueblo Arkansas Point Bike Challenge, 10 am, Lake Pueblo South Shore ([email protected]).
• April 25 – Spank Blasing 5K/10K run and 2M walk, 9 a.m. CSU-Pueblo ([email protected]).
• May 2 – Blossom Day Run, 5K & 5M, 8 a.m., Centennial Park in Canon City ([email protected]).
• May 3 – Cinco de Mayo, 2M walk, 5K & 10K runs, 7:30 a.m. (564-7659).
Send comments and fitness information to Gary Franchi via e-mail at [email protected].