T h e s t r i d e r
In this issue: RUN-2-WHITE-H2O Craig Parks is “the Big Turkey”!
SIXTEEN-HUNDRED (& some) PARTICIPANTS IN FIREMAN’S TURKEY 5K !
Belated Imogene (KEVIN KOCH & BERNIE BOETTCHER in fastest 1.3% of all 1,086 finishers!)
MAX ROBINSON, BRYAN BAROFFIO, AND JONATHAN HARDER SWEEP THE RIMROCK MARATHON ! (Watkins Fulk-Gray & Lukas Olson repeat their ½ M win (& Lukas’ 4th place))
THANKS to JEFF RECKER, Conrad Cole, Larry Ingram, Tom Ela, Karla N., & John Hutcherson for contributions ~
NEXT ISSUE à send in your running-stories, race-results, etc. want-ads? Suggestions for running-related events?
R2W Story (2022)
October 16, 2022 had perfect weather for the runners. Slight cloud cover and a high of 71 enabled the runners to comfortably speed up. As we saw with Max Robinson being chased by his wife Kat. Sixteen brave souls finished the almost 18-mile journey. One gentleman returned to the start claiming the course was too technical. Some of the climbs are a bit rocky which poses a challenge. A longtime friend, Sue Ceglowski mountain biked it in spite of numerous warnings on our part. A group of four gals started a bit early, which Kim was able to make timing adjustments for. I was at the aid station 3 miles from the finish with Mark Ceglowski (who started this run three decades ago). I feel inspired to get back at it and re establish the early early group. Regards, Conrad
1 Max Robinson, age 29, 2:13:23 2 Kat Robinson, 28, 2:28:14
3 Nelson Jones, 31, 2:31:12 4 Lexi VanRoekel, 31, 2:37:12
5 Riley Ceglowski, 27, 2:55:44 6 Shannon Jones, 31, 2:57:12
7 Natalie Cotela, 34, 3:15:53 8 Alesky Koutin, 33, 3:22:07
9 Will Harmon, 31, 3:25:34 10 Megan Sand, 32, 3:30:06
11 Sue Ceglowski, 56, 3:34:08 12 Ashley Ahlholm, 36, 3:52:20
13 Ernie Langelier, 70, 3:52:25 14 Laura Venner, 40, 3:53:01
15 Jina Silva, 34, 3:53:10 16 Karla Nephew, 43, 3:53:44
MMS Directors meeting, October 18: 7 directors in attendance, & Roxie. Andy W was “acting” President. Larry showed pictures of the REAL OKTOBERFEST (in Munich Germany). Roxie has canine BPV? Oh, yes, we DID talk about running. In regards “trail runs” – Andy moved to G.J. from Ohio. Back in his former home, he had never been on a “trail” which wasn’t paved, and with guard rails. However, he’s gotten used to “our” definition of “trails.” Suzie Steel recommends “K T tape.” There were 2 local races scheduled for the same day. The RIMROCK is totally run (timing included) by the G J Sports Commission. We reminisced over “Old RimRock” runs – then run by MMS. The pre-run banquet invariably had “famous” speakers, etc. and much more. Should/could we put on a “money-making” 10k for the MMS? March “lollipop course” club run?
A note (email sent to Tom Ela) from Original Striders John & Cynthia Hutcherson:
“Just a note from the past if anyone would like to hear about the very beginning of the club founded by Dr Paul Wubben. My wife Cynthia and I were good friends of Paul. Cynthia was on the board of directors of the first Grand Junction Marathon. We ran the first 2 marathons. The courses we ran were usually identified and marked the day of the races with names like THE JUMP course. We started races from people’s homes so they hosted the water (the standing beverage for most of our races)
We’ve got 999 memories if you ever need or want them.”
John Hutcherson M.D. 88 year old SkyJumper
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.
Just in time for cold weather and holiday gift shopping! Striders beanies and neck gaiters are now available. Beanies are $15, neck gaiters $10 or if you pay cash, get the set of two for $20. Contact Karla, [email protected], or Tom, [email protected], or check them out at the weekly group runs.
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
C A L E N D A R
Note: all phone numbers “970” unless indicated otherwise
Saturday, January 7, 10 AM, CRC Kickstart 5K Fun Run
Matchett Park on Patterson Rd, benefit for the GJ Community Recreation Center Campaign -- https://runsignup.com/Race/CO/GrandJunction/CRCKickstart
Saturday, January 7, 8:30 AM Bangs Canyon 30K Trail Run
Bangs Canyon Trailhead Parking near the top of Little Park Road
This is an old school, self-supported, no-frills race. It is recommended that racers carry; a cell phone, map, and at least 40 oz of fluids. There will be sparse course marking and no aid stations; the course consists of a single 30k loop. This is a VERY challenging trail run on 100% double track trails. It consists of over 4000 feet of climbing and has been known to make grown adults cry.
Race Sign-Up will occur in person the morning of the race at the start-finish line beginning at 7:45AM. The 8:00AM start time is recommended for runners who might need a little extra time to enjoy the course and looking for more post-run socializing around the fire pits. The official start time is 8:30 AM.
Saturday, Jan. 28: Arches Ultras – 9k, half-marathon, 50k, 50Mile
These races take place along the borders of the Arches Nat’l Mon. www.madmooseevents.com/arches-ultra
Saturday, February 11: Fruita “Sweetheart” 5k & 10k
10 a.m. start – “down-town” Fruita. https://www.fruita.org/parksrec
Group training run every Monday, 6 PM
(This includes a NO DROP group that ensures no one has to run the loop alone!)
Ongoing meet at Base Camp Provisions, 155 N Mulberry St, Fruita
(next to Copper Club and across from Hot Tomato)
6 PM as always. Bring a headlamp! We have a 5 mile solid-surface standard loop but there are various shorter options to choose from. We run in all conditions. Like the Thursday night group, this is casual and all abilities are welcome! Tom 970-773-3124
Group training run every Thursday, 6 PM
Thursday 12/22 meet at the Ale House for our annual Christmas Light Run
Ongoing, meet at Handlebar, corner of Monument Rd and Broadway
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
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/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
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]
We searched (maybe not totally exhaustively completely?) but could not find any results, etc. from/of the October 29 Holy Family Spooktacular 5K and Family Fun Run.
Sunday, November 6 Rim Rock Marathon and Half Marathon
This race was usually held on the earliest Saturday in November, but made a slight switch this year. As everyone knows, the full M course is along the Colorado Nat'l Monument Drive, from GJ to Fruita. There is a bit of gerrymandering towards the end, so we’ve heard – to facilitate/incorporate the entire twenty-six & 385.
REPEAT (we repeat) WINNERS for both races – MAX ROBINSON (29 years young) ran the “big M” in 2:50:36 – 2 minutes off his winning time for 2021, and probably lonely, as he was 53 minutes ahead of 2nd-place BRYAN BAROFFIO (64 years young). The editor’s retina-eye-doctor, Jonathan Harder, was 3rd, 3:45:18.
There were 28 finishers in the marathon. 1. Max 2. Bryan, 3:43:21 – undisputed MASTER’s WINNER. 3. Harder (40) 4. LINDSAY STANSFIELD, (40) 3:48:38 – women’s over-all winner. 6. Julia Lewis (56!) 3:59:12, 2nd lady and Master’s fastest. 7. Deborah Anderson, (40), 4:11:39
The half-M also saw a repeat winner, WATKINS FULK-GRAY (35), 1:13:42 (30 seconds slower than his 2021 winning time). There were 108 finishers in this race.
1. Watkins 2. LUIS OSORNIO (28), 1:17:53 3. SHANE NIKSIC (30), 1:19:50 4. LUKAS OLSON (17), 1:24:45. Lukas was 4th last year, & a minute faster this year.
5. Josh Eastham, (32), 1:27:01 8. Ryan Turbyfill (43), 1:32:10 Master’s fastest
9. Mathilde Seroton (23), 1:32:11 – Women’s Race winner
10. Maddie Grossman (16), 1:32:42, 2nd female 12. Mandy Moran (19), 1:41:15, and
13. Makayla Moran (21), same time – women’s 3rd and 4th
21. Jamie Saff (46), 1:48:50, women’s master’s winner 23. Bill Watts (64), 1:50:24, 2nd Men’s master 24. Kathy Hoffman-Gillis (56), 1:51:09, women’s 2nd-master
Thanks G J Sports Commission, for continuing to “run” this race.
There are two BIATHLON Races tentatively scheduled – could be held at the Cameo Shooting Complex, east of Palisade in DeBeque Canyon. Run (& shoot) on March 18, 2023 and a Ride (& shoot) on May 13, 2023. Check: https://nordicskipro.com/events
MMS “TOM” TURKEY 6 MILE PREDICTION RUN Saturday, November 19, 2022
The “Return of the Turkey” only enticed six “toms” and three “hens.” But since this was a prediction run with the four closest predictors going home with a bird so the odds were pretty good for a $2 bet on yourself.
This event began early in Mesa Monument Strider club history in the late 1970s and got it’s name “Tom” Turkey to honor club president and a club founder, Tom Harshman. OM City Market was a long time supporter of this event and thus helped to keep our entry fee low, but Kroger is changing this by taking over sponsorships.
This run and my Tortoise and Hare 6 Mile Relay have been basically the only long term events on Orchard Mesa. Too bad, because the courses from my house are still mostly thru the rural ag countryside, thus little traffic and great views of Grand Mesa, Bookcliffs and the Monument. That is if runners ever really look around in a race/run. I often re-drove a course to see what I missed. This event has two courses, the “dirt” (one mile) and the paved course for wet weather. The dirt course is close to flat and due to Thomas Jefferson’s 1789 establishment of surveyed miles for west of the Appalachians, it is close to exact six miles. Good for estimating your time.
Saturday dawned beautiful but cold. Sun and only a slight south breeze by race time made for a nice run. Better than the NCAA CC championships at OSU at 26 degrees and 10 mph wind.
I start anyone planning to run 10+ minutes per mile 10 minutes early so all finish closer together, so not so long waits in the cold for turkey awards. There is hot spiced tea and candy while waiting. It was called “Russian tea,” but no more.
Craig Parks, all the way from Rifle and before journeying to Antarctica, was the winner of the 16 lb. turkey by missing his 53:24 predict by only one second. He joins 43 other “Leading Predictors” of 3 sec. or better from 1978 onward, the last in 2015. But, he wasn’t the fastest strut, that was Cody Esbenshade who ran 47:08 but was 4:08 faster than predicted so 7th and not a turkey winner.
The helpers were great. Tom Ela manned the three street crossing with his bike, Conrad Cole helped time, and Bob Thome did the figuring. All have run the event before and Tom was a one second predictor in 2014.
It seemed all enjoyed the camaraderie and the event. So come join us next year for the original Grand Junction Turkey event.
#1 *Craig Parks (65) 53:25 +:01, 2. *John Ferguson (66) 54:10 -:20. 3. *Bryan Baroffio (64) 48:13 +:43, 4. *Jina Silva (34) and dog 56:29 -1:01 5. Andy Winnefeld (51) 58:26 -1:34, 6. D. Plunkett (58) 82:01 +3:01, 7. Cody Esbenshade (33) 47:08 -4:03 8. Sheryl Douglas (71) 74:18 -5:42 9. Erik Lionberger (44) 51:42 -7:00 Sip one for the older crowd.
Two races were held on Oct. 29. We could find no results, etc. for the Holy Family “Spooktacular” – but, THE PEAR PARK ELEM. “PANDA WADDLE” 5K had 189 finishers. A lot of young runners in this one – fastest male was 12-years-young OWEN ROPER (18:59) and GWEN ROPER (10) was fastest female (21:36). Twelve of the fastest 16 were 19& under. Owen was chased by Ethan Knight and Ethan Alfaro (both in 13-19 a.g.) with 19:17 and 20:58. Gwen was 5th-over all. 2nd female, 7th over-all and FIRST over 19 was Esmeralda Rostel (30-39), 23:09. She was followed by first male over 19 – Benjamin Pridy (20-29), 23:12. Master’s fastest was Keith Whittington (60+), 10th in 23:18. 3rd female was Ashley Franks (30-39), 24:21. 17TH was Justin Ridpath (40+), 25:19; and women’s master’s fastest was Jeanie Grooms (60+), 29:07.
48th ANNUAL IMOGENE PASS RUN – run? 17.1-miles of fun?
Saturday, Sept. 10 – 1,086 finishers for this year’s race. Won by Willie Milam (age 30) – from Ophir (a ‘town’ not too far from the day’s proceedings) – in 2:16:48, about 8 minutes ahead of 2nd-place Dan Kraft (33) from Alma, 2:24:41. Six-seconds back was Timmy Parr (40), from Gunnison, 2:24:47. 6th-place was the fastest out-of-country finisher, Andrew Abraham (30) from Great Britain, 2:38:17. KEVIN KOCH (47) was 11th, 2:43:52; and BERNIE BOETTCHER (60) was 3 places back, 2:46:14. Mr. B was the “senior” division winner, & Kevin also won his age-group. 20th was MATTHEW FILLA (33) from Palisade, 2:50:51.
Grace Morgan (27) from Ft. Collins was fastest woman, 23rd with 2:54:20. 32nd and 33rd were women’s #2 & #3 – Rachael Cuellar (40), Albuquerque, 2:58:27; and Lauren Coury (36), Scottsdale, 2:58:36.
Some Grand Valley finishers: 67. Josh Eastham (32), 3:12:47. 75. Jonathan Harder (40), 3:15:17. Jonathan and Josh placed towards the front of the November Rimrock. 82. Ian Rogers (28), 3:18:37. 199. Andrew Gillis (Fruita), 3:41:19. 220. Daltan Haraway, 3:44:47. 238. Andrew Gerdes, 3:47:28. 284. Cody Esbenshade (Fruita), 3:53:30. 294. Nicholas Emmendorfer, 3:54:38. 443. Ernie Langelier WON the 70+ age group!, 4:14:04. A former occasional local participant, Virginia Egger, won the women’s 65+ age group. Further back in the results were a Grand Junction couple, Darren and Amanda Coltrinari, finishing together in 4:25:57. If you know the Coltrinari’s, what an experience!
STRIDER 5 MILE TIME TRIAL Saturday, December 3
What can I say? Small turnout, nice social time, nice efforts and avoided a mass of dogs.
The small turnout, partly my fault by announcing the wrong date at the Turkey Predict run. Yet 5 of 6 runners ran the bird run. But Kate Moore, the lone newbe, was not new to this running group but is rather new to this area, she said. Good to have a new and competitive runner to the club.
Kate was the fastest runner before she missed the turn off the trail 400 meters from the finish and ran thru the dog crowd for an exact 5 miles in 35:11. Cody Esbenshade was about 50 meters behind Kate when she missed the turn and he finished in 34:37 for 4.85 miles.
Yes, the 5 Mile Time Trial was not 5 miles. Because when I arrived by the start/finish south above Safeway, on the Redlands, I discovered it was “Adopt a Dog Day” 75 meters down the bike trail and dogs were “going” everywhere. Thus we all moved to the North side of Safeway for a start/finish guess that I thought was probably short. All the GPS’s agreed it was short by .15 miles.
This event was started way back, my first record for it is 1990, as a club event in mid December for runners to have something to run for or gauge their training for winter events out of the area and as all events are—a social gatherings. Of interest, Conrad Cole was 5th of 14 runners that year in 32:23. Return from COVID has not been good for these events. If you, Club members, want free or cheap events to gather and run then you need to support/show up or get brave and start something new. The MMS board would love to see more participation. GET INVOLVED
RESULTS: 1.) Kate Moore 35:11 (5Mi) 2.) Cody Esbershade 34:37, 3.) Bryan Baroffio 36:58, 4.) John Fergusen 40:07, 5.) Jina Silva 42:18, 6.) D. Plunkett 62:30
“G.J. TURKEY TROT” 5K – Thanksgiving, Nov. 24
This well-attended event has been run (literally) by the G.J. FireFighter’s Foundation, and has experienced a larger turn-out each passing year. 1,639 people finished this 5k (!), start/finishing at Lincoln Park. There were about 1,000 runners (including walkers) last year.
DAVID CARDENAS (former C.H.S. standout) repeated his win from last year, 7 seconds faster this year. As an indication of how fast this year was, consider: Hunter Prather was 3rd last year with 16:43. This year he ran faster (about 20 seconds) and was 6th. JAMES ROCHE was the only over-30 in the top ten; MARTY WACKER (50 yrs young) was Master’s fastest; KARA ROPER was quickest female; SUZIE STEEL was over-60 over-all winner (JOHN FERGUSON was fastest man).
1. Cardenas. 15:07 2. McKinley Zastrow, 15:58.1 3. Josh Trujillo, 15:58.4
4. Jackson Edwards (18-23), 16:11 5. Alex Fisher (12-17), 16:20
6. Prather (18-23), 16:24 7. Sam Garmany (12-17), 16:28 8. Colin Henderson (24-29), 16:53
9. Roche, 17:20 10. Nick Kady (18-23), 17:33 14. K Roper, 18:11, Women’s winner
16. Wacker, 18:17 26. Jessica Black, 19:25 Women’s runner-up 27. Dan Winterholter (40+), from Windsor, 19:32.
Women: (Roper, Black, then) 3. Claire Eastham, 20:04 4. Arianna Kincaid (18-23), 20:26
5. Lexi Chelle (18-23), 20:36 6. Ava Lane (18-23), 20:37 7. Jennis Gillespie (24-29), 21:00
8. Cheryl Stahly (30+), 21:26 9. Karoline Henning (30+), 21:37 10. Gwen Roper (10), 21:45
Lillian Dinkins (40+) was women’s Masters fastest, 22:19. S. Steele, 23:37, J. Ferguson, 24:24