January, 2004 Fit to be Tied Column
From the Pueblo Chieftain
by Gary Franchi
Frostbite Five Kicks Off 2004 Local Racing Calendar
A new year can only mean one thing to runners a fresh start with a clean slate and renewed skys-the-limit racing expectations.
Yes, this is the time when personal records are possible at any distance, when beating any opponent in ones age division is a realistic dream, when training injuries arent even a consideration. Superstardom most certainly awaits us.
Some cant wait, which is why a dozen or so Pueblo-area runners annually make the sojourn to Colorado Springs on New Years Day to participate in the Rescue Run. In this race, the 5K and 10K finish times arent that important; the race merely serves to set the table for a year of competitive feasting.
Locally, the racing season will begin Jan. 17 when the YMCAs annual Frostbite Five will take place at City Park. The race has a 10 a.m. and accepts day-of-race registrations in case getting your entry in slipped your mind.
Next month, the season continues with the traditional Valentines Twosome, a partners race which this year happens to fall on Feb. 14. Then on Feb. 22, the ever-popular Prediction Series kicks off with the Spring Runoff Tuneup 10K.
Check out the Southern Colorado Runners web site for information on these races and the complete 2004 racing calendar. Race entry forms normally are always available at the YMCA of Pueblo and the Gold Dust Saloon.
Spring Runoff
Preparations are in high gear for the 26th annual Pueblo Chieftain Spring Runoff, which will be held on Sunday, March 7. With the new logo having been designed already, the registration forms will be out soon and the race T-shirts have been ordered. The Runoff will again include a 2-mile walk; 5K, 10K and 10M runs; a Kids Run; and a 1M youth run. The same courses as last year will be used again.
Tons of volunteers are needed to conduct the event. If you dont plan to run, please offer to volunteer by calling either Race Director Terry Cathcart at 547-2777or Paulette Stuart at The Chieftain at 544-3520.
Olympic Trials
Peter de la Cerda of Alamosa is among the qualifiers for the U.S. Olympic mens marathon trials that will be held on Feb. 7 in Birmingham, AL. De la Cerda has the 13th fastest Trials-qualifying time of 2:14:41, which he ran in the Chicago Marathon. The mens A qualifying standard is 2:20, while the B standard is 2:22. At stake is a berth in the Olympic Games to be held in Athens, Greece, in August. The womens marathon trials will be held in April in St. Louis.
Running
- Those who have been around the local running scene for many years probably remember when Pueblos racing calendar included a cross-country race the Zoo Run, a 5K held on the City Park Golf Course short nine. This year, the race will return. On Sept. 11, the East High Challenge will take place prior to the scheduled cross-country meet on the short nine of what is now called the Elmwood Golf Course.
- There is talk of also resurrecting the Beulah Challenge this year. The popular 10K run and 5K walk was canceled in 2002 because of various problems associated with the drought and was a no-show in 2003. An August date is being considered.
- His 13th marathon of 2003 was Marv Bradleys best of the year as he recorded a 3:32:44 time in the Rocket City Marathon in Huntsville, AL. Amazingly, Bradley, 64, failed to placed in his age division, settling for fourth. Having already achieved his first goal of running a marathon or ultramarathon in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., in 2002, Marv is now closing in on racking up 100 of those. Health willing, he expects that to happen in early 2005.
Cycling
Pueblo native Danny Pate has signed to ride for the Health Net Pro Cycling Team, which will begin its winter training camp in San Diego later this month. A resident of Colorado Springs, Pate, 24, most recently rode for Prime Alliance and has excelled while racing in Europe. Health Net will begin its season in February at the Tour of Langkawi in Malaysia.
Upcoming Area Races
- Jan 17 Frostbite Five, 5M, 10 a.m., City Park (543-5151).
- Feb 14 Valentines Twosome, 1.6M both partners, 9 a.m., City Park (947-3682).
- Feb 22 Spring Runoff Tuneup (Prediction Series race), 10K, 9 a.m., 3912 Goodnight (564-0847).
- Mar 7 Spring Runoff, 2M, 5K, 10K and 10M, 9 a.m., Dutch Clark Stadium (547-2777).
- Mar 21 Ben & Matts Trail Mix (Prediction Series race), 10+M, 9 a.m., Nature Center (543-5151).
On the Net
- Winter Series: www.pprrun.org/
- Southern Colorado Runners: www.socorunners.org/
Send comments and fitness information to Gary Franchi via e-mail at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Return to Gary Franchi's running and fitness writings index page.