The Mountain-Ear
The voice of the Peak to Peak
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| Perfect day, perfect race |
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| Written by administrator | |
| Wednesday, 16 September 2009 | |
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Barbara Lawlor NEDERLAND It was the granddaddy of wake up calls. As 234 runners sardined at the start line of the 28th Annual Neder-Nederland race on Sunday, announcer Dave Felkley was explaining to them how the cannon would go off, but they should be prepared for delays. Sometimes the cannon doesn’t go off and the runners have to be whistled forward. Nederland Museum Curator Danny Martin had the lighter for the fuse. The tradition was started years ago by former game warden Brownlee Guyer and Martin says he is honored by the privilege to continue the lighting of the cannon. After the announcement there was a moment’s silence to pay tribute to Brian Mahon who supported all of Nederland’s recreational and athletic events. A new event, the 13k X Challenge up the Eldora Shelf Road was inaugurated in his honor and proved to be a popular addition. And then, with barely a moment to prepare, the cannon went off in one of the loudest explosions ever issued at the Neder-Nederland. The runners levitated. With a rapid recovery, the young, the old, the novices, the veteran-runners, the toddlers in strollers, the dogs, the families, and even one woman who was due to give birth in a week, all started toward Eldora, anticipation in their smiles. The bright-colored ribbon of runners streamed up the pavement and then disappeared, each of them with different expectations. Each year the race is sponsored by the Nederland Chamber of Commerce, as well as many local businesses. This year’s race director was Amanda McDonald, and she and her crew of volunteers did an excellent job of organizing the event. Timers Benji and Amie Durden and their experienced staff made sure everyone’s time was right and got the results out in short order. The spectators headed to the finish area at Chipeta Park and watched for the first runner to appear at the top of the hill. In 18:09 minutes from the start, Nederland resident and cross-country coach Dave Femmer, 24, appeared, running strong. He was a full minute ahead of the second place runner. He said his calves were sore after climbing 110 stairs on Friday, an event that 343 Colorado firefighters participated in on 9/11 to honor the New York firefighters who died in the terrorist attack. “But I wanted to defend my first place from last year and better my time. I got it by 10 seconds.” Dave says he went out with one other guy who split off at the Shelf Road for the 13K and after that he was by himself. He says he hates getting out in front, not knowing where everybody else is. Dave won the 5K and the first Nederland male to finish prize. The next Nederland runner to finish was nine-year-old Graham Whitney who had a time of 24:27, coming in a couple minutes ahead of his co-runners, brother Tate and Shea Wood. Graham says he trains on a lot of hills, so it was an easy race for him. The Whitney brother grabbed first and third place in their age category. Natsumi Mitsuzono, 24, was the first 5k woman to cross the finish. She had a time of 19:04. Kara Reeer, 39, of Nederland came in second, with a time of 24:58 and Jessica Hadford, 20, former NHS student, came in fourth overall with a time of 25:28. Stephanie Andelman of Nederland took first place in the 40 and over category with a time of 26:35. The first 10K man was James Ysebaert, 45, of Lafayette who said he ran the race three years and came in the top 20. “This was my fastest time. I went slow the first couple of miles and then I picked it up. I was still in the lead and that surprised me. I will be coming back.” Jen Mushovic of Boulder was the first woman to cross the 10k finish. Jen Kinsey was the first Nederland woman to cross the finish. Everyone was eager to see who would win the 13K, the Ned-Ned’s newest addition. Bob Sweeney, 42, of Lafayette was barely breathing hard after running straight up the shelf road to the Eldora Mountain Resort gate. He said it was the first local race he’s run since moving to Colorado a year ago. “I wanted to do this race because I like the town. I appreciate the police department. One of the officers let me off with a warning ticket, so I figure the people who live are nice. I come here often now so I knew what I was in for. I prefer going up to coming down.” This was Sweeney’s second race this year. Lisa Goldsmith of Nederland was the first female to finish the 13K with Melody Fairchild coming in second. Lisa says, “I loved it. There was no way I wasn’t going to do this. I trained on that road for the last 16 years and I was curious to see if I’d run faster in a race. I was two minutes faster. By the turnoff I was out front for the women.” Lisa says she is preparing for a marathon in the Twin Cities and recently won the Master’s Trail championship in North Carolina. Melody said it was beautiful, peaceful race. “It was so quiet up there. I looked over the valley and it was a ‘make my heart happy’ day.” Judy Moir, 67, of Nederland came in 10th overall and first in her age category. She said she is coming back from injuries and was pleased with her time. “The race was perfectly organized and it was perfect weather. Life is good when you can run, at any speed.” After the race, there were snacks: pizza, fruit, drinks, and ice cream and prizes for many. Kandice Kittinger of Broomfield won the $1,000 prize in the Boulder County 4-race series. Darryl Purpose of Nederland won a night at the Best Western and meals in Nederland. |
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| Last Updated ( Wednesday, 23 September 2009 ) |
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