Garden of Gods annual race draws record turnout

By Anthony Welch

Race staff had puzzled looks as Sander Rigney, of Colorado Springs, crossed the finish line during the 33rd annual Garden of the Gods 10-mile Run on Sunday.

Rigney looked like something out of a television commercial or comedy skit, donning a hotdog costume for the event.

“It started as bit of a dare,” Rigney said. “I was just joking around about how serious most runners take themselves. One of my friends bet me I wouldn’t do a run up Barr Trail in the hotdog suit. I did it, and everyone was laughing and cheering.”

Runners make their way to the finish line during Sunday’s 33rd Annual Garden of the Gods 10-mile Run. The event attracted 1,585 runners this year.

The 36-year-old has run in the race the last four years. He loves the course and the challenge of beating his previous times.

As for the hotdog costume, Rigney says he sports it when he runs around town.

“It’s amazing. It’s like you’re in ‘Rocky.’ People come out of their house and they’re like, ‘Go hotdog man!’ When people see it, they either laugh at it or shake their head or whatever, but it’s kind of entertaining to see someone running around in a hotdog outfit.”

While Rigney was the only wiener at the race, the 1,585 runners to take part were all winners in their own respect, whether it was accomplishing a year-long goal, continuing a yearly tradition or just getting a nice workout at 7 a.m. on a Sunday morning.

Colorado Springs’ Sander Rigney ran Sunday’s race in a hotdog costume.

Nineteen-year-old Simon Cheprot, of Aurora, finished first on the men’s side with a record-breaking time of 50:31. Not too far back, finishing 23rd was Manitou Springs’ own Brian Schaning.

“I mainly do triathlons, so I use this as training,” he said. “It’s probably the toughest 10-mile course you can run.”

Schaning, who’s ran for five years, set out to beat his time for last year. He accomplished that goal with a 1:01:33 finish in this year’s race.

On the women’s side, 21 -year-old Belaynesh Gebre, of Flagstaff, set a new course record with a time of 58:49. Representing Manitou Springs, 26-year-old Adrian Chouinard finished eighth with a time of 1:08:42.

Race director Matt Carpenter was thrilled with the turnout for this year’s event. Three years ago Carpenter rallied to move the race finish from Colorado Springs back to Manitou.

“The kids get to play and there’s people soaking in the creek. You can see how spread out and fun it is,” he said. “It’s a beautiful day. What more can we ask for?”

The avid and accomplished runner loves sharing his passion with the sport with others.

“It almost becomes part of your life, and it’s neat to get your body in shape,” he said. “I can point up a mountain and go that way. This is kind of my way of giving back.”

The race proved to be tougher than some runners expected. Colorado Springs resident Tommy Manning, who finished ninth, was caught off guard a bit by the tough course.