t h e s t r i d e r
NEWS LETTER from/because of/ The Mesa-Monument Striders
In this issue: results from several recent races! And information regarding upcoming events!
Please check your mailing label for your membership expiration date. If you are expired and we hope willing to renew, you can easily do so online at mesamonumentstriders.com or you can mail in a check to Striders, PO Box 3685, GJ, CO 81502
Membership is still cheap! Individual $20, Family $25.
Thanks to Corey Hinman and Tommy Toast for contributions to this issue
Congratulations to Strider Mark Leistico who completed the Zion 100-Miler, surpassed his fundraising goal for The Theater Project and got his picture in the Daily Sentinel. Great work!
And … one of the Strider’s favorite Incessant Forward Motion Machines, Kirk Apt, recently participated in the Cocodona 250 near Black Canyon City (AZ). (and yes, 250. Miles. 10-marathons one-after-the-other?) Mr. Apt enjoyed one-hundred-thirteen hours of fun (68th over-all, 9th in the age group, 113:37:46).
A local High School Track (& field) meet after almost two years? Yes, hopefully not the only meet – the Mickey Dunn Invite on Saturday May 8th. And at the recent RMAC Conference Track championships in Pueblo CMU had some good running results, most notably Tony Torres winning the 1500-meters in 3:57.2, just edging out WSU and CSM runners by less than 0.2 seconds. David Cardenas (formerly of Central H.S.) now running for Adams State, won the 800 meters (1:51.0). CMU’s Mr. Torres was 5th (1:53.0). Tristan Charles was 8th in the 5000-meters, 15:23. Both CMU 4x400-meter relay teams also did well, the men 5th in 3:17.4 and the women 3rd (4:02.3).
MS Directors meetings --> (none since February). However ~ Corey Hinman reports:
I met with Zack Kelley, Outdoor Recreation Planner with the BLM, last week regarding a trailhead development project in the Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area (NCA) that the BLM will be starting on soon.
Their vision is to develop trails and create trailheads in Dominguez-Escalante similar to what has been done in the McInnis Canyons front country area. Dominguez-Escalante has a 66K acre wilderness area for trail running, hiking and horseback riding. I think this could be an excellent opportunity for the group to get involved with the planning process, share our inputs and bring more exposure to this area for trail running.
If the board is interested in learning more, Zack said that he would be happy to attend an upcoming meeting to provide additional information. He is also working on a project write up that he can share with the group once ready. The BLM would be looking for assistance with the planning process, grants and trail work.
I would be willing to help spearhead this effort if there was enough interest from the group in taking this type of project on and helping with things like site visits, trail work, etc.
Let me know if the board is interested in having Zack provide more information at an upcoming meeting and I can ask that he attend to give a brief 10-15 minute overview. If we do go this route, I can reach out to Scott Hollmaier and Shelly Steadman to see if they want to join as well as they have expressed interest in helping with trail work-days and GVTA involvement.
Also, I reached out to Emily McCall, the volunteer coordinator for the BLM, with regards to getting a group trail work day set up for later this spring. I will keep you posted once I have a chance to discuss with her and we can then hopefully get a trail work day on the calendar for the group soon.
(Corey later adds): So Zack got back to me this week that he is changing course and instead planning on scheduling a video conference that interested parties can attend to learn more about the Dominguez-Escalante project. This way he can share info with multiple groups at a time. I’ll let you know once Zack gets back to me with more details on this.
Also, Zack has also agreed to take on the role of BLM trail work coordinator for the Striders, so good news there. Paul Sever, our former coordinator, took on a new position with another BLM office last year. Zack, Emily and I are working to arrange a time to meet and discuss some new required paperwork along with logistics for getting a trail work day for the group underway. I’ll let you know as things progress.
The M M S Directors, currently, are:
KARLA NEPHEW – President (& Jaguar-Timing-System).
ANDY WINNEFELD – Vice-President (& frequent medical insight).
TOM ELA – Membership (among many other things). CONRAD COLE – Treasurer.
ROSCO BETUNADA – interim temporary acting Secretary, Newsletter.
LARRY INGRAM -- Calendar, Race Director Consultant. MARTIN WIESIOLEK -- Web Site &.
SHERYL DOUGLAS (former President). COREY HINMAN (GVTA Liason).
K M (mystery occasional semi-secret agent), consultant on any-&-everything.
Cover your dome with a new Striders trucker cap! Yes, you've seen them on the heads of Striders and now you can get the new updated version for only $15. Contact Tom, [email protected] or text/call 970-773-3124
For submissions for next newsletter: Email articles to [email protected]
Doesn’t have to be a ‘submission’! Let me know of O-missions, etc.
or ‘regular’ mail to MMS, c/o Betunada, 230 Sunset Hills, Grand Jct., CO 81503
MESA MONUMENT STRIDERS website: http://www.mesamonumentstriders.com –
www.facebook.com/pages/Mesa-Monument-Striders/282653486288
- Questions about Grand-Valley-Trail Alliance? Reach out to Corey at 707-933-6328 or [email protected] with trail work or GVTA-related questions or trail crew leader training.
C A L E N D A R !
Note: any phone numbers “970” unless indicated otherwise
Some “local” runs which have a good chance of actually being conducted à
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5/29 |
Garfield Grumble |
Mt. Garfield Trailhead |
The world famous “Summit and Plummet” |
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6/27 |
Turkey Flats |
Glade Park |
Run through aspen groves, lush meadows, pine forest and often a mud hole or two |
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7/18 |
Crag Crest |
Grand Mesa |
Scenic singletrack loop on top of Grand Mesa |
Striders Trail Work Day - Tuesday, May 18th 5:45pm - Pollock Bench Trailhead
Join us for a Striders group trail work day! We will be focusing on sign installations on the Flume and Pollock Bench trails. The work session is set for Tuesday, May 18th at 5:45pm at the Pollock Bench Trailhead lot. The work session should take about 2 hours. We’ll wrap up before 8:00pm.
What to bring: sturdy shoes, wear long pants, work gloves, water, headlamp (just in case it starts to get dark before we finish up)
RSVP: If you plan on attending, please contact Corey in advance at [email protected] or text/call 707-933-6328 to get on the list.
Mad Moose continues to put on excellent races in the Moab area.
Saturday, May 22, Thelma and Louise Marathon, Half Marathon, 15K and Marathon Relay
Still women only but this year moving to dirt in the Behind the Rocks area,
madmooseevents.com
Yes, it's on for your adrenaline and fitness thrills! Saturday, May 29 -- Garfield Grumble 5ish-Mile Trail Experience -- Palisade Mt. Garfield trailhead. Race day signup only, low cost, high intensity –
Conrad 245-4243
Good Triathlon news! Alpha Win Triathlon Series, the new name for HITS, is returning to Highline Lake on June 12 with Sprint, Olympic and 70.3 distances. It's great to have another local tri opportunity!
https://alpha.win/event/grand-junction-colorado/
We have received a discount code for the 6/12 Alpha Win Triathlon event for Strider members. Log in to the Special Deals page of the Strider website for the code. If you have forgotten the Member Only login code, email ([email protected]) or text me (970-773-3124).
*Please let me know if you have registered for this event. They have promised to designate an area in Transition for Striders with our own porta-potty! I will need to know how many of us there will be.
Grand Mesa Ultras (50-Mile, 50K, 30K), 7/31/2021 https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?eid=2150
RIMROCK MARATHON! The Grand Junction Sports Com website has Nov 6th, 2021 for the date. They have been taking registrations since March 31st. They are not having the 12K. Things could, of course, change.
There are several events which are “a go” in the Steamboat Springs area (runningseries.com)
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MORE running websites:
sjmr.club ( SJMR ) San Juan Mountain Runners, 631 S. 2nd Street, Montrose, CO 81401
West Colorado GIRLS ON THE RUN: gotrwesterncolorado.org
Steamboat Springs: www.runningseries.com – this site should show all you need to know about most (or all!) the Steamboat-area races. Get on their e-mailing list!
rrca.org (road runners clubs of america) colorado runner: www.coloradorunnermag.com
Support the underwriters / sponsors of the MESA-MONUMENT STRIDERS:
The following: Summit Canyon Mountaineering, ALPINE AUTO-HAUS, the FOOT SUPPORT GROUP, WEBCREATE.COM, and Dr. Andy Mohler, family practice, have assisted in keeping membership costs lower than they could be.
And: they support running in the Grand Valley (& elsewhere). Support them if you can!
ALPINE AUTO-HAUS, 539 BOGART LANE – (970) 248-8004
Consider this auto-repair/servicing shop – especially for your Audi or BMW or VW or MINI ~
FOOT SUPPORT GROUP Foot/gait/orthotics/bracing/modification specialists
“European Craftsmanship – Biomechanical Design” 3212 F Road, Clifton, CO 81520
888-242-3881 or, in the 970 area code: 434-2727
Summit Canyon Mountaineering 461 Main Street, Grand Junction, CO 81501 (970) 243-2847
Dr. Andy Mohler, family practitioner – with the Primary Care Partners PC, 3150 N. 12th (G.J., 81506), 245-1220
WEBCREATE.COM – just as it appears: need help with your website? [email protected]
If any reader (or, heck, even if YOU DON’T READ this) has somewhat pertinent photos of local or even remotely related to local-running photos, consider sending them in to website/facebook, and maybe even [email protected]
Strider Rhonda Jones is running a fascinating race at the end of September, the Grand Circle Trailfest. It includes 3 straight days of trail running in 3 National Parks, Bryce Canyon, Zion and Horseshoe Bend. It looks fabulous! Rhonda is trying to raise $$ for her entry. If you'd like to help her out, follow this link: https://runsignup.com/Race/38514/Donate/xRLALo0AuJ2hhwEp
You can click through that link to find race details as well.
WIDOWMAKER! April 3
It was the kind of Spring day we hope for, warm and calm, that made for a perfect resumption of Strider in-person racing after the long pandemic layoff. This is a challenging course but everyone seemed to enjoy it once they finished gasping at the finish. James Roche was strong as ever as he won the 9-Mile with his daughter on his shoulders. Rich Connors followed him in for second. Michelle Oberndorf was the first woman and 4th overall.
The women prevailed in the 6-Mile distance with Esmeralda Rostel and Angie Leonhard finishing First and Second. Michael Roche was the first male keeping up the family tradition set by his brother. Only one runner required stitches and we thank those that took the time to help her out. Thanks also go to Conrad for being on sweep and picking up flags and to Larry for timing. For full results check the MMS web-page.
The Editor searched the inter-web for any news on the April 24 “Smith Mountain Ultras” in Delta and … no news, no results, did this event actually occur?
Canyonlands 3/20/2021
A scaled back version of the long-standing classic Canyonlands Half and 5-Mile was successfully held in person in Moab. Changes included a cap on entries, out-and-back courses, finish at Lions Park at the mouth of the Rte 128 river road canyon and no beer garden! Conditions were windy as always. It's fun the get Spring started with a competitive road race and this race always fills the bill. Moab was already starting to fill up with tourists. The cityscape continues to rapidly evolve but it's still a great place to visit and race.
5-Mile
Tom Ela, Grand Junction 48:49 (26/81, 3/9 60's) Amanda Talley, Palisade 1:03:53
Kristen Smith, Fruita 1:03:53
Half Marathon
1 Bryant Byrd Gunnison, CO age: 26 1:10:10
6 Ryan Guldan, Grand Junction, 37 1:21:06
13 Tyler Coleman, Grand Junction, 32 1:29:44
14 Brevin Currier, Grand Junction, 29 1:30:15
16 Blake Wageman, Conifer, CO, 35 WOMAN’S RACE WINNER, 1:30:29
118 Rhonda Jones, Delta, 46 2:05:34 165th, Nick Jamison, GJ, 28 2:18:47
193 Jackson Trappett, GJ, 39 2:28:17 195th, Amy Taylor, GJ, 42 2:28:40
230 Amy Rafferty, GJ, 42 2:56:31
Behind the Rocks 3/27/2021
There was frost on the tents and windshields as runners emerged early morning to start these races. That meant great running conditions once the sun peeked out. Strider Tracy Thelen came through mile 16 of the 50-Miler as second place woman. She and Annie Hughes of Buena Vista eventually caught the frontrunner and then ran together in the lead for a considerable portion of the race. Finally near last aid at 7 miles out, Tracy encouraged Annie to carry on ahead which she did to win. Tracy was 2nd and the First Masters Woman. Great work! Prez Karla Nephew had some puckery moments on the cliffside in the 50K but psyched herself through for another solid mid-pack finish. She called it her toughest 50K by far.
50-Mile 94 runners
19. Tracy Thelen, GJ, age 41, 2nd woman! 10:05:50 54th, Evan Rich, GJ, 41, 12:01:03
50K 212 runners
20. Nichola Krueger, Fruita, 39, 5:15:04 47th, David Bobka, GJ, 29 6:08:40
66. Laurie Heiner, GJ, 34, 6:25:40 87. Jason Emberger, GJ, 36 6:44:09
91. Madelyn Hogarth, GJ, 28, 6:46:32 136. Karla Nephew, GJ, 41 7:24:49
197. Lanie Osborne, GJ, 38, 8:39:43
30K 275 runners
12th Austin Anderson, GJ, 25 2:15:08 97. Nick Emmendorfer, GJ, 33 3:13:25
10-Mile 164 runners
82nd Becky Ela, Hotchkiss, 53 2:01:03 122. Abigail Mangum, GJ, 31 2:18:53
140. Jodi Greenwood, Glade Park, 45 2:33:07
Amasa Back 4/17/2021
It was great to get back to Amasa! I've run all of the distances now, 25K, 15K and 10K, and found the 10K challenging enough. The faster runners tend to go longer which allowed this old goat to squeak into the 10K top ten. Kayla Osborn (of G.J.) was fastest lady in the 10K. Local Ryan Guldan was 2nd behind Timmy Parr in the 25K as Timmy set a course record and 3rd over-all was fastest woman, Bonnie Kaminsky.
25K 133 runners
1st Timmy Parr, Gunnison, 39 1:49:38 2. Ryan Guldan, GJ, 37 1:54:38
3. Bonnie Kaminsky, Salt Lake City, 31 2:05:58
21. Caleb Blair, GJ, 20 2:46:50 59. Brian Osborn, GJ, 43 3:16:17
84. Hannah Kissling, GJ, 31 3:40:28 112. Katie Skalla, Fruita, 39 4:01:16
15K 69 runners
1. Robin Reibold, (no town listed, Male & over-all winner), 28 1:33:35
3. Casey Smith, Lakewood, Woman’s winner, 43, 1:41:19
6. Oliver Berg, GJ, 26 1:42:50 19. Kathleen Joy, GJ, 42 1:57:16
40. Jan Peart, Ridgway, 69 2:14:36 50. Adam Buisker, Palisade, 39 2:20:37
10K 51 runners
1. Joshua Gilbert, Ogden, 29 1:01:31 5. Kayla Osborn, GJ, 34 1:15:30
10. Tom Ela, GJ, 68 1:23:21 17. Stephanie Kampf, GJ, 58 1:29:44
18. Kerry Fordyce, GJ, 61 1:30:27 22. Heather Skufca, GJ, 22 1:34:04
45. Sidney Roberts, GJ, 31 2:20:48
Desert RATS Trail Running Festival 4/17-18/2021
What, a Trail Running Festival with no mud?!? We'll take it. Lots of Striders out there, some fast, some slower, but all happy to be running in the desert in the Spring! In the marathon, Keith Frates was the 11th woman overall and 1st for 60+. Max Robinson ran an excellent 50K for 3rd overall. Yes, his time was faster than most of the marathoners! Striders shone in Sunday's half marathon with Austin Anderson, James Roche and Chris Sovacool placing 4th, 5th and 7th. Jeff Brune won the 50-59 age group. Maisie Sturrock picked a very challenging distance and course for her first race ever finishing in 3:27:36. Sorry if I missed some Striders in the results.
Marathon 98 finishers
33. Keith Frates, 60+ F 5:01:22 41. Paige Kaptuch, 40-49 (7th), 5:22:04
43. Sean Cotter, 3rd 50-59, 5:23:05 53. Ashley Alholm, 5th 30-39, 5:34:10
68. Karla Nephew, 9th in the 40-49 group, 5:58:54
50K 237 finishers
3. Max Robinson, 1st for 20-29, 3:52:18 59. Sean Meissner, 12th 40-49 5:28:04
113. Chris Wright, 18th 40-49, 6:20:13 116. Cindy Stonesmith, 2nd 50-59, 6:25:12
178. Deborah Anderson, 28th 30-39, 7:21:38
Half Marathon 239 finishers
4. Austin Anderson, 3rd 20-29, 1:32:44 5. James Roche, 1st 30-39, 1:32:53
7. Chris Sovacool, 2nd 30-39, 1:35:31 14. Rich Connors, 4th 30-39, 1:48:11
23. Jeff Brune, 1st 50-59, 1:57:00 34. Angie Leonhard, 4th 30-39, 2:05:57
122. Ray Jensen, 9th 50-59, 2:38:13 153. Stephanie Griggs, 6th 60+, 2:47:36
214. Nikki Sturrock, 34th 40-49, 3:27:36 215. Maisie Sturrock, 16th 20-29, 3:27:36
232. Crys Nelson, 8th 60+, 3:43:43 234. Lou Villaire, 15th 50-59, 3:53:45
237. Pauline Oleson, 19th 50-59, 4:14:36
10K 110 finishers
68 Valerie Cotter 40-49 F 14 1:14:00
Gemini 18 Rd Adventure Fest Half Marathon 5/1/2021
174 runners completed the first running of this new course and venue of the previous Rabbit Valley Half. It was the typical Springtime zoo at the trailhead but the races (there was also the 50K mtn bike race included) carved out enough space to be successful. Comments solicited or overheard said the course was fun, challenging, much easier than the RATS Kokopelli course of two weeks prior (although many Koko times were faster?!?). For some reason Striders were sparse at this one. Top runner Ryan Guldan chose to compete on the bike instead (76/156). Heath Hibbard came in bloody but won the 60+ age group and was 25th overall in a time of 2:16:56. Chris Wright was 3rd in the 40-49 group, 32nd overall. Our longtime Front Range Strider, Dr Ross Westley, had the honor of enjoying the course longer than anyone, placing 174. Great persistence!
Ironman North American 70.3 Championships, St. George, UT, 5/1/2021
Strider Joel Homan was 2nd in the M40-44 division, 106 overall out of 2779, in this very competitive triathlon. He ran a 1:32:03 half marathon after swimming and biking. Impressive! Local-raised pro Ben Hoffman was 21st overall. Strider Jeff Recker plugged away to finish 2,103rd.
Members Only discounts available on our website
These now include discounts for the Alpha Win Tri and the Rim Rock Marathon/Half. Look for the Special Deals link on the top menu bar.