March 2026 THE STRIDER

THE STRIDER

Your news source for the Mesa Monument Striders, Grand Valley running, and beyond.

In this issue: Tom Ela, Larry Ingram, and Conrad Cole fill us in on some Striders-related history. Attached to this newsletter (on a separate sheet) you’ll also find a list of this year’s Striders event dates, made by Tom.

Thanks to Tom Ela, Larry Ingram, and Conrad Cole for contributions.

For submissions for upcoming newsletters, feel free to send articles, upcoming events, edits, race results/reports, etc. to Megan and Michelle at [email protected]. Make sure to review our submission guidelines here.

Announcements

• We now have Striders-themed seat towel covers! So you can drive in style while also protecting your car seats from salty post-run sweat. Available for purchase from Tom or Karla for $25 at the Monday and Thursday evening group runs.
• A Mesa Monument Striders Member Code of Conduct Policy was approved during the October 2025 Board of Directors meeting. Please review it here.
• Board member elections will be coming up again before we know it! This year, two seats will be up for re-election: an At-Large position and President. Reach out to a board member if you’d like more information regarding serving on the MMS board of directors.

Deals

• Striders has acquired an Hypoxico Altitude Training System with an Everest Summit II generator to simulate high altitude atmosphere as you sleep in the tent. Members can contact Tom at [email protected] if you'd like to use it.
• Thanks to our friend Ryan Sullivan, Striders members get $40 of annual credit to The Feed! It’s a great resource for trying new running snacks and gear that you may not be able to find locally. For everything else, make sure to support local businesses!
• Striders members can use the following codes for deals with the corresponding businesses:
  • 26RCLUB_MMS for 15% off Vacation Races.
  • 2PK52FZT at checkout at Running Warehouse for 20% off clothing and socks, and for 10% off select clearance shoes, nutrition, hats, and visors! Good through 6/30/2026.
  • ZupMESA for 25% off all items on teamzealios.com. Valid through 12/31/2026. Remember to tag @zealiosskincare and #teamzealios in your posts!

Race Results and Reports

• Striders Beer Mile - January 31, 2026 - GJ, CO

  Jen Landini was back to defend her Beer Mile title and did so handily (although she's slowing down slightly). Joel Homan returned after a lapse and reclaimed his title (although he's also slowing down a little). Previous champ Ian Rogers ran a good race to come in 2nd. Sari was the only racer to earn a penalty lap (see the rules), Lori could only handle two beers and a half mile while Kari set a new record for savoring beers and enjoying the sunshine! A more sedate but equally seriously contested Sober Mile took place after. Everyone thought that chugging a can of seltzer after all of those beers was a cruel requirement to say nothing of doing burpees! Lots of tasty treats followed. Caitlyn escaped the destruction of her house and neighborhood and is an awesome host!

  Full results here.

• Arches Ultra - January 31, 2026 - Moab, UT

  Congrats go to Kayla Rhodes, #2 woman in the Arches 50K, and Lexi Van Roekel, #2 woman in the Arches Half Marathon!

• Fruita Sweetheart Run - February 7, 2026 - Fruita, CO

  James Roche and Whit Blair were the fastest at the Fruita Sweetheart 5 and 10Ks. Lots of other Striders sweethearts were out there making us proud! See full results here.

• Valentines Massacre 3-Mile Prediction Run - February 14, 2026 - GJ, CO

  [Race report provided by Larry Ingram, with an addition by Conrad Cole]

  No bad Chicago weather, no garage, no “Buggsy” Moran, and no “Big” Al Capone or North or South Side Gangs.

  So this Valentine’s day was possibly the most perfect race day for the Beverage prediction 3-mile run. Sun, no breeze, and even in the low 40s.  The seven runners had a great experience along with the people, dog and baby that accompanied them.  The course is challenging with its rather steep rolls and few flats and thus also a challenge to make a time prediction.  BUT, for 65 year old  retiring physician Marshall Steel not a problem, put down 29:00 for the 3-mile and run 29:02.  As they say this wasn’t his “first rodeo.”  He and Suzie run this race almost every year and in 2013 he was “dead on” his prediction and with Suzie’s one second off also in 2013 they became the best team prediction ever.  Marshall was the first runner since 2020 to make the top 8 predictor list when four did it that year and also only the second runner to make a zero predict, Jay Valentine (Taylor’s dad) is the other and he also has 9 top 8 predictions.

  Taylor Valentine, FMHS distance coach, was the fastest at 26:21, but only 3rd best predictor.  D. Plunkett was 27 seconds off for 2nd place.  Taylor and uncle Mike Valentine won the couples division, well the only entrants, but appropriately have the winning name.

  Fun time, great weather, good socializing, and nice selection of entrant supplied drinks.  SORRY YOU MISSED IT.

   

• Written by Larry Ingram

   

          Results:

INDIVIDUALS

COUPLE

Conrad adds:

About 4 years ago, our longtime editor Jay Krabacher announced that he was not going to put on the prediction run anymore. That was the event where I proposed to Kim in 1998 and didn’t want to see it come to an end. Another running couple also got engaged on this course. It used to be well attended. Larry agreed that it shouldn’t disappear and offered to help. Well, he does more than help, and enables us to keep up the tradition. However, Kim is still struggling with a ski accident last year and helped Larry with timing.

Unfortunately a neighbor built a house right above our start/finish line. We think it is time to find a new venue so, will be working the location. I hope more Striders will help keep the prediction run going.

Newsletter Contributions

A Conversation with Dr. Paul Wubben

[by Tom Ela, January 2026]

          I recently had a great phone conversation with Striders legend Dr. Paul Wubben, now in his 90s. He is still a lively conversationalist but he says his body is feeling its age. He told me he finally gave up running after he found himself face down and unable to get back up for 45 minutes in the bottom of a gulley on his favorite route in the desert North of the airport. That route was part of the iconic desert races he directed for decades in that area, the Water Tower, Triple Jump and Desert Championship Runs. He also initiated and directed for many years the Widowmaker Run using the Lunch Loops system.

          The Triple Jump followed the old Little Bookcliffs railroad grade with 3 leaps over the ever widening and eroding gulley cuts, more exciting every year. Paul relished using varied and difficult terrain to make his courses interesting. If there were two choices for getting up a hill, he would always choose the steepest.

          The Desert Championships offered a 10 or 15K course out to “the flattop mesa” while the Widowmaker used the actual Widowmaker Hill as part of its course. The Widowmaker start/finish was eventually moved from the bottom up to its current location on Little Park Road at First Flats. The other races succumbed to airport expansion and desert craziness as well as Paul’s age.

          We still laugh about Paul’s famous pre-race course reviews: “Take a right at the big bush” or “Stay straight past the shot up refrigerator” often ending with “Oh well, you’ll find your way back.” He always flagged the courses, at least somewhat, but the flagging was often compromised overnight by desert yahoos in the later years. For most of the years he put on these races, he ran in them too trusting his wonderful wife Melba or his daughter with the timing duties. Credit Paul for helping establish and putting on the Crag Crest Race for years as well.

          Paul was one of the earliest Striders members. He and founding member Larry Ingram were particularly active in promoting the local girls cross country team and races that motivated them. Paul was happy to hear that the Widowmaker and Crag Crest Runs were continuing in his tradition and that the Striders continues to be an active and growing club encouraging runners of all types. I, myself, was introduced to the Striders by competing in one of Paul’s desert races in the late 80’s and was hooked from then on. We owe Paul endless thanks for inspiring several generations of runners!

          Side note: Paul and Melba only fairly recently retired from their other love, playing violin in the Grand Junction Symphony. As a doctor, musician and runner, Paul was a multi-talented model!

History of the Founding of the Mesa Monument Striders

[by Larry Ingram with Tom Ela’s editing help, February 2026]

           Any organized running in the valley in the 1960s did not exist until just before I became the 2nd year CC coach at GJHS.  Central HS maybe got it started and won a State Championship [Tom adds: The 1967 State Champion Central High team included Dan Babbel, Dan Barks, Mel Fahrney and Wendell Ela].  I had never seen CC in HS or college and so my great group of boys “schooled” me. They ran me up Mount Garfield one Sunday, liked to kill me, and after the season introduced me to the only race in town, the Redlands 3 & 1.5 Mile Run (desert) my first trail race and wimp me ran the 1.5.  Here I met the founder of racing in GJ, Dr. Paul Wubben.  He introduced me to his favorite training runs in the desert north of the airport and it became a major training area for my runners and more. As running grew into the ‘70s Paul created his great Desert Runs. Then he added races on trails where the Lunch Loop is, especially his favorite, the Widowmaker that moved routes several times.  Due to “Father Time” eventually Tom, Conrad and I took over these events.  Paul also began the Appleton Freezer which I took over for app. 30 years plus helped 3 later volunteer directors, putting out the cones and markers and getting building permits from Dist. 51 with my work connection.  Paul also loved and started the amazing Crag Crest run that Tom took over.  Paul (the son of an early Mesa JC President and with race assistant wife Melba played violin in the GJ symphony) never was a Board member but really deserves to be officially recognized by the Club in some special way, soon.  As a MD, he “pushed” clients and all to get out and exercise and especially run.  He is probably still scuffling in his 90s. He also used his tongue depressors as race finisher aids.

          Into the ‘70s more men were running but the national and local running boom is best attributed to Frank Shorter’s surprise marathon win in Munich in 1972 and his loss to a doped East German in Montreal in 1976.  Suddenly every male wanted to run a marathon where back in 1968 our Jan Frisby participated in the Olympic Trials in Alamosa—only 6 entrants and Jan dropped out in 4th place.  Why Alamosa, altitude, 1968 was the Mexico City Olympics at a mile high and the top 3 qualified.  Frank moved from Florida to Boulder and it became a running capital/Mecca for the world’s leading runners showing up to train with him and also the start of the “Bolder Boulder” was created with it’s now 50,000.  The other influencer was “Boston Billy” Rogers and these two did battle on the roads.  Bolder Bolder became big with our club members and many have been very competitive, probably unknown to most of you.  I ran the Master’s Elite 2X and earned my first money for a 4th place and did beat Frank the other time, well he was just coming off an injury. Can check out the top 15 runners for each individual age on their site and see 3 several local’s names.

          Thus in 1977 DDS Clarence Craig got together a dedicated group (including me) at his old red rock mansion at the top of the N. 1st Street hill before F Road and after discussion we drew up the constitution for the Mesa Monument Striders (sounds bigger than Grand Junction Striders and covers the valley from end to end) and elected officers.  Most important, maybe, we joined the RRCA, mainly for their necessary insurance coverage that Conrad manages very well still for the club.  The first edition of the STRIDER lists the following original Board: Clarence Craig (President), Wayne Watson (Vice-Pres.) Larry Ingram (Sec.-Treas.) Tom Harshman (Legal Counsel), Gene Arnold, Cindy Hutcherson, John Krizman, John Dvorak, Dick Youll, Coen Dexter, and Carol Harshman (Editor).  Craig listed these principles:  “We have organized with the firm belief that running is the way to achieve health, to have fun in a physical activity, and to act as an outlet for the competitive nature of a person.”  Over the years there were seldom but minor changes until recently….

          NOTICE, no mention of women runners back then.  In 1970 few women ran and none here that I know of.  Those wanting to run the 2 old “bigs”, Boston and NYC (less than 100 entrants total then) were denied (too physically demanding they said).  In 1972 women were finally allowed to enter Boston officially after previous incidents. In 1980 about 900? women out of 3600 total entered Boston.  Enter Rosie Ruiz in Boston in 1980 near the finish line and claimed the win, she was passed by our own Bill Aragon (2:26) and DQed but the controversy’s attention helped bring change. 

          Ladies, if you are under 40 and unless your mother was a runner, you probably know little about  the struggle of women wanting to get accepted as runners let alone compete with men. The men of the MMS were pro-women runners and encouraging, especially me.  Here is why I and the Club can say this. To me what blew the door wide open to the future of women’s running here and nationwide was the 1972 Title IX law. So suddenly in 1974 I applied for and became the coach of the new GJHS Girls Track program.  The girls were a very excited group to get to do a “real” sport (their statement) and not just cheer lead for boys and by 1975 I had 50+/- out.  They were very talented and motivated to work hard and I feel that still today the best team ever in W. Co. with still a couple of records.  This changed their lives, esp. self confidence, and I still see it in the ones I meet.  In the 1980s as coach of the girls half of the CC team in an 8 year span at state we went 6,1, 2 (1pt), 1, 2, 7, 1 (43pts State Record until Niwat and beat the #8 team in the nation by 30 pts), and 3rd. Great girls, I recruited my sprinters and did my best at successful race strategy at state meets. Of course many went on to college and ran well.  Our #1, Nikki Cormack, went to UNC (North Carolina) and also after the H.S. track season was, to me, the surprise winner of the Citizens Women’s Division at Bolder Boulder. (Our other MMS Boulder women’s winner was BYU alum Leanne Whiteside). Probably our #2 best runner, Jill Schenkel ran at Stanford, then taught 2 years on the Navajo reservation, returned to GJ and headed Girls-on-the-Run making it the power here for elementary girls and she grew clubs from Durango to Steamboat.  I helped her early with Strider equipment and timing.  There are always opportunities and all are encouraged to volunteer to help coach girls running groups. Much more than running goes on there, theirs and our future happens there.

          The club for several years in the ‘80s put on a well attended women’s race, the Peach Hobbler.  I wanted to propose to the Board that 2026 would be a great opportunity to celebrate women’s amazing growth in running, Title IX with its equality with male sports, and for women in general with a race tied to, maybe, the League of Women Voters as a fundraiser for this super non-profit.  ANY CLUB TAKERS?

          Women’s running here and world wide has steadily grown to the present, great job ladies, keep it up.

          To see the first edition of the MMS Newsletter go to the MMS home page and to the Newsletter heading where Tom copied it to there.

• Written by Larry Ingram

[Editor’s note - the first edition of the MMS newsletter can be found here.]

Upcoming Events

• March 14, 2026 (3:14pm): Striders Pi Day Run - Grand Junction, CO; Who doesn't like a reason to get together, run, and eat pie!?! Enjoy a fun 3.14 mile course at the Lunch Loops and celebrate our first week back on the trails. Please bring a round dish or pie to share! Fruit pie, pizza pie, chicken pot pie, etc.
• Saturday, March 14, 10am, St Patty's Day 5K Run - Grand Junction, CO; “Come join us for a fun-filled day celebrating all things green benefiting local non-profit The Gift of Love.”
• March 21, 2026: Canyonlands Half - Moab, UT; “The first Canyonlands Half Marathon was run on May 1, 1976 had just 22 finishers, including a dog. Today, thousands of runners come together in March to enjoy the scenic red rock formations and winding Colorado River that Moab has come to be known for! Running parallel to Arches National Park and the mighty river, runners are in for a real treat.
• March 28, 2026: Behind the Rocks Ultra - Moab, UT; “Behind the Rocks Ultra starts and finishes at the Behind the Rocks Trail, along the border of the Behind the Rocks Wilderness Study Area. Moab's last hidden gem; its tall standing Navajo Sandstone domes and fins can be seen from many places along the course…With free camping at the start/finish line, you're welcome to spend the weekend. Bring your cooler, stocked with your favorite post race drinks, and stay for the fun!”
• April 4, 2026 at 8:30am: Striders Widowmaker - Grand Junction, CO; 6 or 9 mile options; Challenging self-supported single track trail run with considerable downhill in the first half that has to be regained. Down Andys Loop, right up Eagles Wing, left onto High Noon, right up Tabeguache to Holy Cross, bear right up Pre-Nup to Little Park Rd. Cross and descend Little Park Rd 10 yards to Gunny Loop. The courses split at the Gunnector intersection. The short course follows Gunny up to the parking lot finish. The long course follows Gunnector to rejoin Gunny to climb back to the finish.
• April 4, 2026: Running Up For Air - Moab, UT; “Run or hike up and down a beautiful, iconic trail in Moab, UT! See how many laps you can do in 3, 6, or 12 hours. The Up For Air Series brings endurance athletes together to celebrate a shared passion for running, amplify informed dialogue about air quality issues, and support organizations that are working toward solutions. We strive for a minimal footprint on the trails but maximal impact on the nonprofits fighting for cleaner air in our communities.”
• April 9-12, 2026: Desert Rats Trail Running Festival by UTMB - Fruita, CO; “Desert RATS Trail Running Festival by UTMB has four unique distances, three days of racing and indescribable views of the desert. There is something for every runner. Enjoy views of the Colorado River as you race through flowy singletrack, climb up the mesa, and take in the vastness of the desert.”
  • Striders will have a group volunteering at the Moore Fun aid station on Sunday from 8am-12pm. Sign up to volunteer with this group!
• April 11, 2026: CMU Mav Day 5k - Grand Junction, CO; “Get ready to lace up your sneakers and join the fun at the third annual Mav Day 5K! This isn't just any 5K—it's an epic adventure through the beautiful CMU campus, all while supporting students. This race is all about the experience — bring your own watch if you'd like to track your time! Your registration gives you access to the CMU Century Spring Festival, including GA admission to home CMU Athletics games — baseball, softball, and men's lacrosse!”
• April 11, 2026: Amasa Trail Race - Moab, UT; “Amasa Trail Race takes 25k, 15K, and 10K runners through one of Moab's most prized trail systems. With stunning views of the Behind the Rocks fins and La Sal Mountains and varied trails, Amasa Trail Race is not to be missed!”
• April 12, 2026: Elevate Kids Fun Run - Grand Junction, CO; “Elevate kids aims to raise awareness and  provide support to help activate kids' minds, bodies & spirits through fundraising, hosting family-centered events and community involvement that helps to advance this cause.”
• May 10, 2026: Fruita Trail Half Marathon - Fruita, CO; “Get ready for an unforgettable adventure on this exciting half marathon course in Fruita, CO! This 13.8-mile loop takes runners on beautiful, flowy singletrack through Colorado’s stunning early-season desert. With short, steep climbs and descents, the course offers breathtaking views of the nearby buttes and mesas, making every step as scenic as it is rewarding. As part of the Adventure Fest weekend, this race is more than just a challenge—it’s an opportunity to experience Fruita’s vibrant adventure community and connect with like-minded runners. Whether you’re chasing a PR or simply soaking in the desert vibes, this trail half marathon promises a fun and memorable way to kick off your racing season!”
• May 17, 2026: Wild Horse Gravel Half Marathon - DeBeque, CO; “The weekend features the Wild Horse Gravel bike races on Saturday, followed by a Sunday half marathon, offering something for every adventurer.”
• May 23, 2026: Striders Garfield Grumble - Palisade, CO; Become part of the Summit and Plummet club!!  Very steep and difficult climb to the summit up the main trail from the Palisade trail head then descend a marginal trail with exposure down the Clifton side for the typical fiery finish. Self supported. This run is not for everyone. Please take your own personal fitness and abilities into account when considering doing this race.

Group Training Runs

*Note: We’re back to trails as of Monday March 9, 2026 (Mary’s Loop TH)!

Striders group runs and other event info can be found here.

Contact: Tom Ela - (970) 773-3124

Mondays at 6pm - Fruita

Mary's Loop TH, I-70 Loma Exit

Devil's Canyon TH

Pollock Canyon TH, run Flume Canyon Loop

Pollock Canyon TH, run Pollock Bench Loop