It doesn’t draw only runners from Cortez, this race seems to draw them from all over the Four Corners area. Entries so far have been received from as far away as Albuquerque, N.M., and from such Colorado towns as Denver, Colorado Springs, Grand Junction, Silverthorne and Leadville. Entries are coming from nearby cities of Farmington, Aztec, Bayfield, Durango, Rico and Telluride.

"We advertised in Runner’s World magazine which has circulation of more than a million readers," Joe Keck, Cortez mayor and avid runner, said. "The magazine has a website where runners can signup for races from a race calendar over the Internet.

"I enjoy running in this race," Cindy Donohoo, a physical education schoolteacher from Farmington, N.M., said. "It is a good one to start the season and it’s easy because it’s mostly down hill. It’s not too long and it’s not too short. I was concerned that it wasn’t going to happen because it is usually held in April. I called up there to make sure it was still going to be held."

The sixth annual Center Yourself Week and Pueblo to Pueblo Run/Walk is set for tis Saturday, May 6, this year, that’s a few weeks later than normal.

"The board decided that because Easter came later this year we would move it back. We found out the Shiprock Marathon, which is normally held this weekend, has been cancelled. We are hoping to get some of those runners," Keck said.

More than 60 registrations have already been received with more expected. About 80 traditionally register the day of the race. He said they are hoping for 150 runners, which would be about 10-15 percent increase from the year before.

"This race is becoming popular. Runners who have competed here before tell their friends who are runners and they will come the next year. Word of mouth is great advertisement. We want to make this a shoulder season event for the start of the summer tourism season.

"We want to bring more people from outside the area to Cortez. We want them to stay here a night or two and visit some of the attractions. We want them to spend their money in our restaurants and visit or shops. I don’t really know how much of an economic impact this event has. I don’t really have a handle on how much money they are actually spending here. It is really hard to estimate how much they are spending, but it is something that needs to be looked into in the future," Keck said speaking from a mayoral viewpoint.

The 11-mile course will start at the Anasazi Heritage Center. Runners will continue east on Colorado Highway 189 to the junction with Colorado 145. They will head south for approximately 3 1/2 miles to County Road P. They will head west to Mildred Road and then south to Montezuma Avenue, then turn on Market Street finishing at the Cortez Cultural Center. Runners will assemble at CCC and then be bused to the Anasazi Heritage Center at 8:15 a.m.

Ken Flint of Durango has won the last four straight men’s division titles. He clocked 1 hour, 01.50 seconds last year. His personal best time came in 1998 in 59:18. However, Mark Junkman holds the record of 58:24. On the women’s side of the ledger, Ann Cornice of Los Alamosa, N.M., won in 1:18:03. Christine Junkman broke all previous marks the year before in the female division with a time of 1:17:46.

The 2-mile run/walk will start and end at the Cortez Cultural Center. Runners and walkers will circle Centennial Park and then head back. Sidney Freelanced won the men’s division in the 2-mile in 13:57. Belinda Strickland won the female division title in 18:01. Greg Dahl in 1996 set a new course record in the men’s bracket with a clocking of 14:11. Sue Story established a new standard in the female division in 17:55 in 1998.

"I had knee surgery recently. I have been running some but this will be the longest race I have entered," Keck commented.

The entry fee is $12 per person for entries received by 5 p.m. today, May 4, or $15 thereafter including race day. Fee includes a commemorative tee shirt. Registration forms, which can be picked up at the Cortez Cultural Center, need to be in by 5 p.m. May 5. Forms will also be accepted before 8 a.m. the day of the race. Packet pick up will be at the CCC from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. May 4 and from 7:15-8 a.m. race day.

The top three overall male and female placers in each race will receive valued from $30 to $100. The ceremony will be held following the 11-mile run at approximately 11:30 a.m. Awards or ribbons will be given out for placers in the following age categories: 0-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-and older for the 11-mile event. Awards or ribbons for the 2-mile run/walk will be given for those placers in various categories: 1-5, 6-10, 11-15, 16-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, and 50 plus.

Volunteers are always needed to help run a race of this scope. For those wishing to help, contact the center.

Sponsors for the event include Anasazi Heritage Center, Anasazi Motor Inn, Best Western Turquoise Inn, Cortez Area Chamber of Commerce, Citizens State Bank, City Market, City of Cortez Parks and Recreation Department, Colorado National Guard/VFW, Cortez Mainstreet Association, City of Cortez Police Department, Crow Canyon Archaeological Center, Dream Catcher, Fraley and Company Inc., Holiday Inn Express, Homesteaders Restaurant, J.C. Penney Catalog Store, Kokopelli Bike and Board, Montezuma County Economic Development Council, Montezuma County Sheriff’s Department, Notah Dineh, Rainmaker Sprinkler Co. Inc., Southwest Designs, Susie’s Hallmark, The Creamery, Ute Mountain Casino, Ute Mountain Pottery, and Wal-Mart.

All proceeds will benefit the Cortez Cultural Center.