The Strider
In this issue: 421 FINISHERS IN THE “Just Peachy 5k” ! Won by GRETA VAN CALCAR & ETHAN ABBS ~ Taylor Valentine a winner @ Kokopelli! Ryan Sullivan & Jaime Simmons winners at Rough Canyon ! Dennis & Mary Young Update ~ NEXT ISSUE à RUN 2 WHITE-H2O (!?)
MMS Directors meeting, August 16: 7 directors in attendance. No Roxie this time. Conrad discussed MMS “financial status”. Summary: almost anything (running/race-related) – we probably can afford. We get “rewarded” handsomely for sag-wagon-help at the (then) upcoming bicycle Tour of the Moon. There were OVER 400 RUNNERS in the (then) recent “Just Peachy” 5k in Palisade! (More on THAT, later, this issue). Larry talked of putting on a possible (then – this event did happen) a beginner-related running/racing clinic. (This DID happen a couple weeks later. & Jay V showed up to help).
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)
ROSCO BETUNADA – Secretary, NL.
LARRY INGRAM -- Calendar, Race Director Consultant.
MARTIN WIESIOLEK -- Web Site &
SHERYL DOUGLAS (former President)
CONRAD COLE – Treasurer & Purchaser of Stuff.
A few weeks back the Daily Sentinel “You Saw It” page had a picture of Ms. Douglas removing (killing) russian olive trees in the Connected Lakes area as part of a volunteer event to try to make nature more natural.
Flaunt your Striderness with an official t-shirt or trucker cap! Available at the Monday and Thursday evening group runs or by contacting [email protected]
Please note that we are trusting that if you show up for group runs or events, you are either vaccinated or you will adhere to recommended safety protocols of masking and distancing. Thanks for keeping the community healthy!
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.
www.facebook.com/pages/Mesa-
C A L E N D A R
Note: all phone numbers “970” unless indicated otherwise
Saturday, October 29, 9AM Holy Family Spooktacular 5K and Family Fun Run
Holy Family School, 786 26 1/2 Rd
Head up stream for this one. $20 entry benefits local animal shelters. Sunday, October 30, 10AM Sequoia Glen Road and Trail 5K West Glenwood 970-618-7980
The premier local marathon! Saturday, November 6 Rim Rock Marathon and Half Marathon Colorado Nat'l Monument Drive, GJ to Fruita
Nov. 19, Sat., 10:30 a.m. STRIDER “TOM TURKEY” 6-MILE PREDICTION RUN ! 2932 B Road (in Orchard Mesa), 270-0774. Prizes (turkeys!) are awarded not necessarily to the fastest runners, but to those who run closest to their pre-race predicted times.
DEC. 3, Sat.: COMMUNITY MOUNTAIN BIKE BIATHLON RACE, @ Cameo Shooting Complex, east of Palisade in DeBeque Canyon. https://nordicskipro.com/
Group training run every Monday, 6 PM - Now including a "no-drop" group!
10/24 Mary's Loop Trailhead, I-70 Loma Exit
10/31 Devils Canyon Trailhead - Last Monday trail run before the time change!
11/7 First Monday on streets. Meeting spot to be announced soon.
We will rotate through these locations in this order through the season. For all but Mary's Loop, take Colo Hwy 340 south from Fruita across the river and turn right at Kings View Rd. Follow through the subdivision and onto the gravel road. Devil's Canyon parking is soon after on the left, Pollock parking is a couple of miles further on the left.
We run in all conditions. Like the Thursday night group, this is casual and all abilities are welcome with various distances to choose from. Tom 970-773-3124
Group training run every Thursday, 6 PM Tabeguache Trailhead on Monument Road*
We'll be out there rain or shine. As always, this is casual and all shapes and speeds are welcome with various routes to choose from. We'll look out for you.
Questions: Tom 970-773-3124 *Starting Nov. 10 (Thurs) we’ll meet at the HandleBar Tap House at 6 p.m. (somewhat close to the Tabeguache Trailhead)
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) and 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/
“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
Ask about a possible MMS discount ~ (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]
Kokopelli Classic Trail Runs ! August 27
“More Trail, Less Road” – this triple-distance event had over 130 runners – 31 stalwarts finished the 13-mile, 45 ran the 8-mile, and 56 competed in the 5k. The base of operations was at Mary’s Loop Trailhead.
1/2Marathon: HEIDI WENDT (age 25) won this race, in 1:56:54. She was chased by CAM FOSTER (24) who came in less than a minute later. 3rd was Boone Savoca (26), 2:07:33, and the runner-up woman was Michelle Davis (34), 5th over-all in 2:10:33. Master’s fastest was Todd James (52), 6th-over-all, 2:15:13. Laura Lewis was third lady, 2:19:30. The third master was 70-years-young Ernie Langelier, 2:27:24.
8-mile: Won by Clayton Nelson (27), 1:04:21 and runner-up Ben Calvert (31), 1:05:10.
TAYLOR VALENTINE (25) (4th over-all) was fastest woman. Her 1:14:52 was a few seconds faster than ladies-runner-up Karen Ganss (35). In 6th and 7th place were the Master’s winners – Matt Bryner (56), 1:16:57; and Diana Williams (43), 1:17:39. Jeanie Grooms was 2nd over-60.
5k: Andrew Limbach (30) was 1st, 28:35. (I’ve heard that the course is “gnarly”). Joshua Chaffee (31) was next, 30:07. 4th place was master’s fastest Clint Knopp (44), 31:38; followed by fastest woman Courtney Barella (33), 32:08 and 6th was women’s masters winner Jennifer Sewall (40), 33:16.
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From Dennis Young
Thanks Tom. Sorry we don't get out with the club at all. Seem to still be zeroed in on our half marathon quest in the states since we found the full marathon meant we might have a tough time crossing the finish line before they stopped the timing clock! Lot of travel now and we have 26 states to go. Most way out east. In a shorter venue we did the last of our 70-79 age group last weekend at the Leadville 10K. ( Mary got a nice 3rd place trophy.) After 9 races there, next year we will be in the 80+!! Our goal these days is way beyond medals; we start and finish together no matter what, and it's not hard to be the oldest couple in every race. Take care and though we are absent we are proud to be members of the Striders!
JUST PEACHY 5K – Palisade – August 13
Good to see 400+ runners in this event (not counting 100+ in the Kid’s 1k) – which raised a bunch of $$ for the local fire department. Over-all winners were ETHAN ABBS (age 21) with a fa-a-ast 15:10, somewhat closely followed by SHAWN LINDBOM (33), 15:20. CARL ARNOLD III (34) was next, 16:03. In 4th-over-all was women’s race winner GRETA VAN CALCAR (24), 16:29. Three more ladies were in the over-all top ten: DANNI HOMAN (31), 17:33; KARA ROPER (41), 17:40; and LEXI CHELLE (19), 17:45. Master’s winners were Kara, and JOEL HOMAN (41), who strode in alongside Danni H, 17:33. The 60+ age-group was precisely that: all runners 60 and over. Might have 70+ added next year ~
Fastest 10: 1. Abbs, 15:10 2. Lindbom, 15:20 3. Arnold, 16:03
4. Van Calcar, 16:29 5. Anthony Kunkel (30), 17:11 6. D Homan, 17:33
7. J Homan, 17:33 8. Roper, 17:40 9. Chelle, 17:45 10. D J Fox (29), 17:50
WOMEN AGE GROUPS: 19&UNDER: 1. Chelle, 2. Maddie Grossman, 21:14, 3. Gwen Roper (age 10!), 21:33
20-29: Van Calcar, 2. Maykala Moran, 20:55, 3. Leah Ibarra, 24:30
30-39: 1. Homan, 2. Dusti Reimer, 20:19, 3. Abby Watson, 20:52
40-49: 1. Roper, 2. Meredith Giancarlo, 24:21, 3. Jennifer Sewall, 24:44
50-59: 1.Katie Brewer (2nd female ‘master’), 24:17, 2. Patricia Costello, 24:27, 3. Robin Segura-Broughton, 27:03
60+ : 1. Jana McKee, 27:46, 2. Jeanie Grooms, 28:02, 3. Sherry G Brown, 30:12 (5th in this category was fastest 70+, Lynn Swanson 37:05)
MEN -- 19&UNDER: 1. Ian Hayes, 17:58, 2. Owen Roper (12!), 19:16, 3. Connor Rix, 20:11
20-29: 1. Abbs, 2. Fox, 3. Zachary Walker, 19:51
30-39: 1. Lindbom, 2. Arnold, 3. Kunkel
40-49: 1. Homan, 2. Nathan McCrary, 18:58, 3. Benjamin Moyer, 21:02
50-59: 1. Mark Spoon, 22:51, 2. Troy Sandberg, 24:24, 3. Zane Matthews, 24:38
60+ : 1. Heath Hibbard, 21:33, 2. Dave Younger, 22:10, 3. Mike Gilbert, 22:34 (5th in this category was 70+ fastest, Kelvin Garfit, 23:50)
September 11 Run for Snow 10K – Trail (running) RACE
County Line Trailhead, Hwy 65 on Grand Mesa
“Begin thinking snow with the Grand Mesa Nordic Council at this new Grand Mesa race!” FORTY-FIVE runners and walkers completed this inaugural event – with WHIT BLAIR and KRISTIN SEIDEL winning in 40:57 and 55:17. (Ages and home-towns were not readily available when the Editor checked this site). After Whit, the next 4 men finishers were Ben Graves (44:14), Garret Moehring (47:03), Tyler Coleman (48:48) and Adam Gregerson (50:51). The next 4 women after Kristen were Julie Burt (55:42), Darby Spence (56:55), Lily Grisafi (58:54), and Jina Silva (62:15). Other finishers included Jeanie Grooms (67:23) and Sheryl Douglas (90:47). Annette Collier was the fastest walker (1:25:16), gmnc.org
Desert Edge Triathlons Highline Lake State Park September 17-18
Sunday, Off Road Saturday, Olympic and Sprint distances
Yes, these events are put on by our local g.j. sports org – and conducted two “road” races Saturday, and the “off-road” on Sunday, Hometowns were not listed on the site we accessed, so … yes, we probably missed some “locals” results.
OLYMPIC (if memory serves, that’s 1500m swim, 40k ride, and 10k run): won by Casey Adams (43). He swam for 28:28, rode an hour, 2 minutes, then ran a 45:51 10k for a 2:19:55 total. 2nd-place was women’s fastest Sharon McDowell-Larsen (62!) with a 2:37:55 final time. 25 entrants were in this event.
SPRINT: (the editor isn’t sure, but suspects the distances are half-OLY). The first 5 or so finishers (out of 50) were women (NEAT!)* – paced by Shannon Feran (21) who swam for 12:42, rode the bike for 34:46, then ran 19:37 for combined 68:51 (note, the separate interval times have “transition” time-segments added separately – so, Ms. Feran transitioned for about 2 minutes). *All (or most) those front-runner(swimmer/cyclist) women are on the CMU Triathlon team – which should place highly in the national championships later this month.
Sunday was the “Off road” Tri – so we’re guessing 500m swim, 8+ mile ride?, and a 5k run. Robert Rosati (age 38) was fastest of 49 competitors – swimming 14:54, riding for 50:26, then running 20:00 = (w/transit times) 1:28:53. In fourth place was women’s fastest, Holly Wright (44), who had 1:30:09 of fun. Local-seeming/sounding names included Lisa Moot (Montrose), 14th in the Olympic event (3:00:07); Taylor Valentine, 24th in the sprint (1:41:58); Lexi Van Roekel was 12th in the off-road (1:42:25); and Charlie Wertheim was 9th in the sprint (1:40:52.)
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OCTOBER 8: ROUGH CANYON TRAIL RUNS!
Aravaiparunning (and Aravaipa rides) held several events the weekend of Oct 8 and 9. There were 2 mountain-bike races on Sunday. However, on Saturday there were 5 (yes, FIVE) running events.
50-mile: 15 people finished this race, paced by Adam Vadeboncoeur (age 32), from Longmont who had 7:10:15 of fun. Women’s winner Careth Arnold (also 32) from Florida was next, in 8:45:38. Third was Master’s fastest Ed Delosh (54), Ft. Collins, 9:55:34. Rocko Weaver was the only G.J. finisher – 13:51:53
50k: a bit more popular, 25 finishers. RYAN SULLIVAN (32) from G.J. won in 4:09:21; followed by Women’s winner Courtney Dauwalter (37, Leadville), 4:24:50.
Half-Marathon: the most-well-attended event, with 50 going the distance. Many local runners comprised almost half the field. Jeremy Duncan (41) from Basalt won in 1:36:35. SHANE MASSEY (27) was the fastest home-town runner, coming in 2nd with 1:52:57. Next (3rd) was women’s winner JAIME SIMMONS (41), 1:53:16. Clayton Nelson (27) was 5th, 1:56:18 and Lady’s runner-up Kristen Kollus (24) was 6th-over-all, 1:59:55. Terrance Combs (40) from Fruita was 7th, 2:01:26; 8th was Kyle Czajkowski (29), 2:01:51; and Aaron Byram (29) from Paonia was 10th, 2:06:01. Finishing in the upper half of the field were Bryan Osborn, Jordy Hagler, Katy Laverdiere (5th woman), Siena Podgorny, Lilly Grisafi, and Rachel Cambray.
10k: Mike Sorum (49, Denver) paced the 23 finishers with 48:42. Women’s winner Dorothy Elder (22, Ft. Collins) was next in 49:25. Women’s runner-up was Courtney Barella (33, G.J.), 49:36. In 6th was Steve Thompson (50), 53:09; Jeanie Grooms (58:48) was 1st over-60. And … 21 people ran the 5k, won by 16-years-young Joseph Byram from Hotchkiss – 22:36. Next was another local winner, Fiona Mauer (23) pacing all ladies with 24:19. 3rd was Nancy Connell (29), 24:43 and master’s winner was Evan Rich (42), 38:54.
https://www.aravaiparunning.