the M M StriderM A Y 2017
t h e s t r i d e r
In this issue: Lincoln O M “Roaring” 5k paced by Judd Berry and Cheryl Stahly !
PATRICK HUMMEL, KEITH FRATES, AMBER JONES, AND ANDY MOHLER WIN THE WIDOWMAKER RUNS !
M M S TRAIL-SERIES Starts soon !
ThanksRandee Bergen, Liz Norris, Conrad Cole, and Paul Wubbenfor contributions to the NL
APRIL 8, SAT., WIDOWMAKER TRAIL RUNS – and so startedthis year’s local (Grand Valley) high-desert off-road runs! The Race Director/organizer (Dr. P. W.) reports:
“Editor: the Widowmaker run was held (as scheduled, Sat. April 8) with 19 runners in the 6-mile and 18 in the 9-mile. GPS results varied from 8.71 to 8.89; we will call it 9-miles.
It was an amazing day and some strong wind gusts even blew the table and chairs away. However, “down in the canyons” it was better. There was also a smattering of rain drops – however, it was not cold.
Post-race the scene was unforgettable, the story-telling, socializing, loud talk, camaraderie. That’s why we do this!
We had a lot of help from Conrad and Tom and Kim in particular.
I had definite instructions from the BLM (Drew) that no “donations” can be made or we would pay a $400 fine – this includes the desert runs.”
Short course (6 miles approx.) is a rarely-level rocky very scenic challenging mostly single-track course. ANDY MOHLER trotted in first, the only sub-one-hour effort of the day (57:09). Next was Richard Ruid (we may have this name, and others (of course) wrong), 11 minutes back. AMBER JONES was 3rd, and was the women’s fastest.
The 9-mile is tougher. PATRICK HUMMEL was the quickest, enduring 69:26 of fun. JAMES ROCHE was 5 minutes back, and KEITH FRATES was the women’s “long run” champion.
Widowmaker 9-mile course: 1. Hummel, 69:26 2. James R, 1:14:13 3. Scott Vig, 1:17:13 4. Dennis Trobins, 1:18:46 5. Jeremy Gerlach, 1:27:03 6. Brad Rugel, 1:28:24 7. Heath Martin, 1:29:27 8. Ernie Langelier, 1:31:44 9. Keith Frates, 1:34:51 10. Shannon Hatch, 1:36:54 11. Ray Jensen, 1:38:06 12. Norv Larson, 1:45:29 13. Sue Drake, 1:45:47 14. Tom Ela, 1:48:42 15. Scott Buhrdorf, 1:49:02 16. Penny Verceline, 1:52:11 17. Kirk Apt, 1:53:05 18. John Schroder, 2:01:17
6-mile course: 1. Mohler, 57:09 2. Richard Ruid, 1:08:00 3. Amber Jones, 1:09:18 4. Bob Thome, 1:09:19 5. John Cressler, 1:13:07 6. David Whitmer, 1:13:19 7. Rebecca Fulmer, 1:14:45 8. Adam Byerly, 1:17:26 9. Chris Thomas, 1:17:59 10. Colleen Wright, 1:19:43 11. Erika Michael, 1:25:19 12. Karen Fay, 1:27:41 13. Randee Bergen, 1:44:31 14. Randy Larsen, 1:48:32 15. Sheryl Douglas, 1:52:48 16. Deb Melgaza, 1:57:57 17. Mary Smith, 1:58:03 18. Becca Rigel, 2:00:06 19. Conrad Cole, 2:03:59
Start/finish for these is @ the trail-head 3 miles up Little Park Road.
April 15, Lincoln O.M. ROARing-to-run 5k (webs.com). This event was held at the Lincoln Elementary on B ½ Road in Orchard Mesa.
The fourth annual ROARing to Run 5k at Lincoln Orchard Mesa Elementary School was a ROARing success! For the first time ever, we had a sunny race morning without rain. The Striders timing team was there bright and early setting up their new Jaguar timing system. Music pulsed through the morning air and, as always, kids could be seen dancing in the courtyard before the race even got started. 182 students and their family members as well as other runners from the greater Grand Valley community finished the race. The kid-sized mountain bike, donated by Bicycle Outfitters, was raffled off and a good assortment of age group prizes were awarded. Post-race snacks, including chips and salsa from Chipotle, were enjoyed by all. Congratulations to our overall male winner Judd Berry, who is the Lincoln OM music teacher and our overall female winner Cheryl Stahly. Thank you to all who participated in our race. Over $1700 was earned for the school and will go toward making the library a more learner-centered space. We hope to see you all back next year. Complete results can be found at
WOMENMEN
CHERYL STAHLY 20:561JUDD BERRY20:06
Clarrisa Berry22:492Sebastian Mendoza-Hollos21:23
Kate Avery24:123Jaden Williams23:27
Amber Pommarane25:144Zack Wilson23:51
Jeannie Grooms25:385Newell Berry23:57
Juliette Berry27:146Cody Brunton24:09
Brynne Berry27:587Malakhi Espinosa26:18
Jennifer Hixson28:138Marshall Stoddard27:05
Amber Berry28:229David Moody27:42
Melissa Prettyman28:5310Dawson Fromang28:12
Age groups! “K thru’ 3rd grade” won by Dawson Fromang
4th -5th: Juliette Berry was first in this category. 6th – 12th: for Men it was Sebastian (1st), then Jaden, and Zack. Girls: Clarissa (1st) then Brynne
Ages 18 – 29: Kate Avery was winner in this group. 30 – 39 was won by Cheryl Stahly, then Amber and Jennifer. Men’s age group winners were Cody, Marshall, and David M. 40-49: Judd Berry won over-all AND Master’s. Caralae Kellerby (30:02) was first 40-49, and 2nd master after Jeannie 50-59 – Ms. Grooms was winner for this group, also first Women’s Master. Randy Larson (34:36) was men’s over-50 winner.
Deadline for submissions for next newsletter isbetween now & then …
Email articlesto or ‘regular’ mail to
MMS, c/o Betunada, 230 Sunset Hills, Grand Jct., CO 81503
MMS Directors meeting -->March 28. We discussed running-type business but the only notes the secretary put down had to do with “horror stories of coal sale royalties and pharmacy company profiteering.”
And, in regards the “New Jaguar timing system: -- this was tested at the “Roaring to Run 5k” and aparently everything was fine. (Right?). The MMS timing Crew(e) will next time the May 6 Grand Valley Marathon (and 3 other races), Cinco-de-Mayo?, and the Headless 5k. 35 is the acceptable minimum hat order.
The M M S Directors, currently, are:
SHERYL DOUGLAS -- President (& Keeper of the Keys). ANDY WINNEFELD – Vice-President.
TOM ELA – Membership (and much more!). CONRAD COLE – Treasurer.
ROSCO BETUNADA -- Secretary, Newsletter. RANDEE BERGEN -- Web Site, and FaceBook.
LARRY INGRAM -- Calendar, Race Director Consultant, Timing.
Also assisting the MMS in various ways: COREY HINMAN, JULIE MALINGOWSKI,KARLA NEPHEW & a Director who wishes to remain Anonymous.
*** -the perpetual MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL REMINDER <-- ***
Send your payment of $20 for individuals, $25 for a same-address family (of 2 or more)
Mesa-Monument STRIDERS / Attn: Tom Ela / Membership
P.O. Box 3685 Grand Junction, CO 81502
MMS members get reduced rates at all the low-key local events. And reduced entries at many not-so-low-key events. You also receive the monthly email or paper newsletter usually with race entry forms and such delivered right to either your door or email-box. AND -- you get COLORADO RUNNER magazine 4 times a year!
MAY, some of June(& maybe later)C A L E N D A R
Note: all phone numbers “970” unless indicated otherwise
May 5 and 6: “18 Hours of Fruita” (.com) – spend the weekend mountain-biking at Highline Lake!
May 5, Friday, 5:30 p.m. CINCO CINCO 5K, Edgewater Brewery -- NOTE: date has changed from the previous MMS Calendar.
May 6, Sat. 10 a.m. Girls on the Run 5k. Shelledy Elementary in Fruita (and NOT the Community Center).
May 6, Sat., 6:30 a.m. Grand Valley Marathon (and ½ M, and 10k, and 5k). Start times vary (5k is last) –
May 8, Monday, 6:15 p.m. MARY’S LOOP #1 of MMS 2nd-annual Trail Race series. $3 / race OR $12 for the series (of 5). Not a paid MMS member? then $5/race (& $20). Points will be accumulated for each race – just for showing up! (helps to also finish) – end-of-series raffle, camaraderie, trails, and you will “tour” FIVE (5) of the region’s premier high-desert trails! Sign up at 5:45. Karla (608) 513-2466 or Tom (773-3124).
May 13, Sat., 7:30 a.m. Rabbit Valley half-marathon This one is in conjunction with a nice 50K and not-so-nice 100K Mountain bike race. On double track jeep road following the Kokopelli Trail
May 13, 9 a.m. Titan Trot 5k, Coal Ridge H.S., Silt.
May 20, Sat. 8 a.m. GARFIELD GRUMBLE ! everything you’ve heard about this IS TRUE. You cannot exaggerate enough! If you’ve survived this before, you’ll probably be there. If you haven’t participated in this, well, it’s truly unique. Have you done anything especially WEIRD lately? Conrad: 242-4243 or Joe: 245-4382.
Conrad adds: Last year, Rudy Fontanari, the owner of the finish linewhere the Grumble ends
mentioned that he would bring in his loader and fix up thearea for our use. I found that he graded the road in fromhis property line and leveled out the finish line area.We can park many cars there now.
I will mark the route in to the finish line on 5/19 withwhite pin flags. From a distance, they look like desertprimrose.
The route to get in for which we have the OKis 33 3/4 Rd up to the power line, then over to the dirthighway heading north.A yellow sign will be on the frontage road to help.
Last year Cynthia asked if her 1st women's finish at 57:37was a course record. The request came to me after I put upthe Garfield box. I find that Suzi Evans ran a 56:03 in1995. However, back then the downside of the course was much easier to navigate.
May 20, Sat. 8 a.m. BLACK CANYON ASCENT 6-MILE, Yes, the National Park entrance east of Montrose. Contact Mr. Ela (Tom) for Strider discount code ~
May 23, Tues, 7 p.m.Monthly MMS Directors meeting: Call 270-0109 for location & etc. Might be on May 30.
May 27, Sat., 7:30 a.m. WATER-TOWER 5-MILE (desert) RUN – 1.5 miles north of H Road on 27 ¼ Road. Paul, 241-6478. “Desert running at its finest.”
May 29, Monday. Some little race in Boulder.
June 3, Sat., 9 a.m. Mike-the-Headless- (chicken)-5k ! MMStrider $5 discount – you should get (or have gotten) the special entry form. ‘Downtown’ Fruita at the City Hall Park. 858-0360
June 3, Thelma & Louise ½ Marathon (women only – guys show to support, help).
June 4, Sunday, 7:30 a.m. Steamboat Marathon, ½ M, 10k. 879-0882 (ed. suggests: ‘google’ this – there is a Steamboat Running Series website)
June 17, Sat. 8 a.m. The “Children with hope” 5k & 10k. Wingate Elementary.
June 25, Sun., 9 a.m. TURKEY FLATS LOOP 9.6 MI. (or 15k). Trail run, UP (and south) from Glade Park store. Tom: 434-9753
July 4: we hope to chronicle the various Independence Day races (everywhere but here) next issue ~
Join us for any of the 3 weekly training sessions:anyone(that is: come one, come all. NOTE: you DO NOT "HAVE TO" RUN -- show up and walk, even!
Group training run every Monday, 6 PM –Back on trail(s) !
5/8 Mary's Loop Trailhead, I-70 Loma Exit 5/15 Devil's Canyon Trailhead
5/22 Pollock Canyon Trailhead, run Flume Canyon Loop
5/29 Pollock Canyon Trailhead, run Pollock Bench Loop – NOTE: may be different day due to Memorial Day.
We will rotate through these four locations in this order through the season. For all but Mary's Loop, take Colo Hwy 340 south from Fruita across the river and turn right at Kings View Rd. Follow through the subdivision and onto the gravel road. Devil's Canyon parking is soon after on the left, Pollock parking is a couple of miles further on the left. We run in all conditions. Like the Thursday night group, this is casual and all abilities are welcome with various distances to choose from. Tom 970-773-3124
Every Wednesday,speed workout,6 PM –at the Riverfront Trailhead behind (Safeway? Formerly Albertson’s) (in Redlands at intersection of Broadway and Monument Road)
All abilities and speeds encouraged to join, Tom 970-773-3124.
Group training run every Thursday, 6 PM -Back on trail! Tabeguache Trailhead on Monument Road. 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
Messages? comments? questions? suggestions? Tom Ela 434-9753
MESA MONUMENT STRIDERS website: last we checked: WE NEED MORE PIXURES ~
also see the MMS FACEBOOK presence:
Other 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: – this site should show all you need to know about most the Steamboat-area races. Get on their e-mailing list!
MOAB: moabhalfmarathon.com (Canyonlands HM/5M, Thelma&Louise HM/Relay, The Other Half, and the Winter-Sun 10k) -- also (435) 259-4525
rrca.org (road runners clubs of america) and colorado runner:
Support the underwriters / sponsors of the MESA-MONUMENT STRIDERS: The following:
Summit Canyon Mountaineering,
the FOOT SUPPORT GROUP,
and, maybe Rocky Mtn. Orthopedics
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!
Rocky Mountain Orthopedics Association, 627 25 ½ Road, 242-3535
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 (970) 243-2847
Editor note: If I’ve OMITTED (or deleted) any current or would-be sponsors/underwriters, please let me know!
LIZ SAYS (writes, actually): When I was younger I was running down the beach near SF, California when I saw a white husky type dog playing on the beach with his owner. I was young and running at a good clip. The dog was old and limping but having fun -- the dog inspired me because even then I knew youth was fleeting. I was grateful that I could run and vowed to keep doing what I can for as long as I can and celebrate life that way. I was 20 something and was probably running less than a 7 minute mile. Walt Stack was president of the DSE and referred to me as one of the hot shots -- he said that even though it was races less than three miles that I had respectable times. Still back then I was more toward the front of the pack even in the longer races.
A lot has happened over the years and I did get slower and slower as I knew would happen but I was happy to be still at it. Instead of trying to win like I did in school I would try to run a certain time -- then I went after finishing a particular type of race such as a marathon, ultra or doing Pikes Peak. Running is and was one of the ways I celebrate life. I still attempt it although it may not really look like running anymore. I did four very slow miles the other day at Canyon View Park but was glad to do it -- even when it is cold and the wind blows which it did. While I was at the park I noticed a little black dog in the dog park. It was running funny but was running with the other dogs. When I got closer I saw it had a leg missing -- I immediately thought of the husky on the beach. I also identified with the dog -- I have my legs but I also have a disability. I felt good about the dog but I also felt good about what I was doing.
At this point in my life I have no real long term goals -- it is impractical but I do have goals -- A group of us are running Jodi's run in Denver. I am doing Rim Rock Relay with the friend who is a stage four cancer patient and Black Canyon, Relay for Life, Moonlight Miles and some other assorted runs are on the horizon. Something to keep me going yet friends like the Striders and another friend with cancer who wants to go to runs keep me going and inspired a lot more.
The friend who has stage four cancer really likes to go to runs -- we went to Larry's for the tortoise and the hare -- I was surprised to see my name among entrants for the 1995. Later I set a PR for that race when I was 60 plus and yet I first ran it when I was 40 plus. The year I set the PR -- shortly after I was diagnosed with stage four advanced cancer. The Tortoise and the Hare, like Appleton - I have a long history with although I did Appleton more times. I remember one year when Warren broke his leg during the race but I also remember when Warren bested most of the field at an advanced age. Warren still runs although not in races. I think that is what we all have to do -- keep going even if we have to change things -- like running slower or not doing races. I was grateful to do the run at Larry's and I think I was as happy as the white husky and the little black dog too. It was nice to run with my friend who almost shames me (because she is willing to do it with a nasty cancer) into doing it. I have no excuses if she is willing to do it.
I am looking forward to the desert runs and others runs -- but now it is no longer competition -- it is just a dog playing on the beach or at the park and having fun being alive.
Hey all you wonderful Striders! Your friendship is priceless and forever cherished -- see you on the roads, trails and maybe races We have to keep on dancing -- happy running all : )
April 14 – 16: were you at the Desert Rats Trail-Running Festival? Held at the Mary’s/Kokopelli’s Loop area (see) –
According to the website, Runner’s World says “best trail festival” and Active.com bills this as “one of the world’s most scenic half-marathons”.
The 50k (33+ miles) was won by Jeason Murphy (4:09:12) – an 8:00/mile pace. Mark Hiller was 2nd (4:16:10). Michelle Hiland was first woman (8th over-all) and had 4:55:13. 5th and 7th were Donnie Tietsema (4:32) and Scott Vig (4:49). Yes, we KNOW we unintentionally missed many locals (and, as usual, you probably WON’T let us know …) Jeason’s time was a new course record. 72 runners completed the distance.
MARATHON: there were 66 finishers, led by Michael Dorr (3:49:15) and Kari Dworkin (4:38:45). Either the course is tougher than the 50k, or the 50k runners were faster per mile ~ Martin Wiesolek won the 50+ group with 4:09:55 and Jeremy Gerlach one place back (5th) with 4:17:31.