Runners throughout area expected to compete in Pueblo to Pueblo

Runners throughout area expected to compete in Pueblo to Pueblo

April 26, 2001

BY JIM THOMAS
Journal Sports Editor

This is not a difficult run. In fact it is mostly down hill. It is an easy run for the first distance event of the season. That’s why runners from throughout the Four Corners will be converging on Cortez for the seventh annual Pueblo to Pueblo Run/Walk to be held this Saturday, April 28.

It is a good "shoulder" event for runners and for Cortez as well. Runners get a chance to loosen up their legs and at the same time the area gets a small jolt to the economy.

Despite this race being held so early in the racing season, some excellent times have been turned in through the years. John Harris of Farmington was the fastest finisher overall in 1 hour, 05 minutes, 04 seconds and the top male in 2000. Janet Synder was the fastest female finisher in 1:19.46. The record overall time (male or female) was set by Ken Flint of Durango in 58:46 in 1997. For the most part, it is an all-down hill run. Flint won the event 1996-99, finishing under an hour except for 1999 when he clocked 1:01.50. The record run for a female was set in 1998 when Christine Junkerman was clocked in 1:07.46.

The 11-mile run/walk starts at 9 a.m. and the two-mile run/walk gets under way at 9:15. Proceeds from the race will be donated to the Cortez Cultural Center, a non-profit community organization whose mission is provide a forum for the community’s education, cultural, artistic, and scientific interests. It is a catalyst for the cultural respect, continuity, and innovation.

Those competing in the 11-mile run/walk will be assembled at the Cortez Cultural Center and then bused to the starting line at the Anasazi Heritage Center near Dolores and end with the finish on Market Street by the Cortez Cultural Center. They will head east from the Anasazi Heritage Center to the junction of Colorado highways 184 and 145. They will head south to County Road P (changed from M), west to Mildred Road and then south to Montezuma Avenue and then to Market Street, finishing at the Cortez Cultural Center, 25 Market Street.

The two-mile runners/walkers will head from the Cortez Cultural Center north to Montezuma Avenue and then east to Mildred Road, north to Empire Street, west to Park Street, south to Montezuma Avenue and return to the center. Roy Perales was the fast overall and quickest male to finish in 14:01 while Lynn Price was the quickest female in 17:40. The record time (male or female) was set by Harris in 12:27 in 1998. The course is mainly flat.

Entry fee is $15 per person on Friday, April 27, or day of the race. Fee includes a T-shirt. Registrations on Friday will be accepted from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Center and before 8 a.m. Saturday.

Race kits can be picked up at the Cortez Cultural Center on Friday from 9-5 and 7:15-8 on race day.

The top three overall male and female winners in each race will receive awards valued between $30-$100. The awards’ ceremony and other special events will be held following the completion of the 11-mile event at approximately 11:30 a.m. Awards or ribbons for the 11-mile run will be given in the following age categories overall: 0-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, and 50-plus for both male and female. Awards or ribbons for the two-mile run/walk will be given in the following categories overall: 1-5, 6-10, 11-15, 16-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, and 50-plus.

The sponsors for the race are Anasazi Heritage Center; Anasazi Motor Inn; Best Western Turquoise Inn; Cortez Area Chamber of Commerce; Citizen’s State Bank; City Market; City of Cortez Police Department; Colorado National Guard/Veterans of Foreign Wars, Cortez Main Street Association, Cortez Parks and Recreation Department; Cortez Physical Therapy and Fitness; Cortez Journal; Crow Canyon Archaeological Center; Dream Catcher; Fraley and Co. Inc.; Homesteader’s Restaurant; Iron Bodies; Jacob T. Boyer, DMD; Karla J. Demby MD, FACP; Kokopelli Bike and Board; Montezuma County; Montezuma County Sheriff’s Department; Notah Dineh; Rainmaker Sprinkler Co. Inc.; Southwest Designs; Susie’s Hallmark; Ute Mountain Casino; Umbrella Tourism Committee; Ute Mountain Pottery; and Wal-Mart.