At Home in the Garden

Garden race offers festive atmosphere to runners

By BRUCE WADMAN
THE GAZETTE

Steep hills and picturesque vistas awaited more than 1,300 runners from 33 states and international sites who participated Sunday in the 31st annual Garden of the Gods 10-Mile Race.

“This race has everything,” race director Matt Carpenter said. “It has scenery and challenge. The families and friends of the runners gather here in the park after the race for a party-like, festival atmosphere. That’s what I’d want when I finish a race.”

Photo By JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE John Gaudette of Denver cooled himself off Sunday in a stream next to Memorial Park in Manitou Springs after he and more than 1,300 other runners participated in the 31st annual Garden of the Gods 10-Mile Race. Cele Rodriguez of Alamosa won the men’s race with a time of 54 minutes, 28 seconds. Maria Portilla of Albuquerque won the women’s event with a time of 1:02:20.

Photo By JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE Cele Rodriguez (right) took the lead Sunday. Paul Digrappa (from left), John Gaudette, Glen Mays are also pictured.

The men’s race was won by Cele Rodriguez of Alamosa. The 26-yearold, competing for the first time, finished in 54 minutes, 28 seconds and was impressed with the event.

“I didn’t know what to expect, but the landscape was so beautiful that I almost forgot about racing,” Rodriguez said. “The race was hillier than I thought it would be and I’m not going to lie, I’m hurting right now.”

Maria Portilla, 35, from Albuquerque, won the women’s event with a time of 1:02:20.

“It’s amazing,” said Portilla, who was competing in the race for the first time. “I like how hilly the course is and I’m looking forward to coming back next year.”

Colorado Springs residents Philip Sakala, 24, and Andrew Robinson, 29, finished second and third, respectively for the men. For the women, Paula Morrison, 34, of Manitou Springs finished fourth. Megan Lund, 23, of Colorado Springs, finished fifth.

The race attracted runners of varying ages. Kaeli Vandersluis, 14, of Colorado Springs won the 10-14 age group with a time of 1:40:20 and Glen Ash, 70, finished first in the 70-74 age group with a time of 1:31:32

Photo By JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE Runners in the Garden of the Gods 10-Mile Race Sunday made their first of two passes by the Balanced Rock in the park.

“This is one of the premier races in Colorado,” said Ash, who has participated in this event for 25 years. “You just get addicted to it.”

Joyce McKelvey, 62, won the 60-64 age group title with a time of 1:33:12, appreciates more than just the race route.

“The entire racing community is wonderful,” McKelvey said. “We are supportive of each other and really enjoy running with each other.”

The race, presented by Carmichael Training Systems, began at Memorial Park in Manitou Springs, wound through the Garden of the Gods and ended back at Memorial Park, is the first leg of Colorado’s Triple Crown of Racing. The second leg, the 12K Summer Roundup at Bear Creek Regional Park, will be held July 8 and the final leg, the Pikes Peak Ascent, will be held August 18-19.

In a sidelight of the event, Cheyenne Mountain won the High School Aid Station Challenge. The Indians aid station, one of four located throughout the route, was voted the best by the runners.

Copyright 2007, The Gazette, a division of Freedom Colorado Information. All rights reserved. Used with permission.