Golden Gate Canyon Trail Run
11.7 miles
June 26, 2005

Another gorgeous mountain day greeted the runners for the 3rd annual Golden Gate Canyon Trail Run, presented by Sportiva/GoLite.

95 racers completed the race, over a 50% increase from 2004. The race covered ~11.7 miles, with 2,000' of climbing, including the Coyote Trail climb of 500', in 2/3 mi, after 7.5mi, with a rock scramble at the top. The course had just about every type of terrain: flat and fast; wide smooth trail; grueling climbs; technical descents. Along the way, racers ran through gorgeous meadows and aspen and pine forests, with spectacular views of the continental divide.

The race was part of Trail Runner Magazine's 2005 Trophy Series. The two leaders of the series, Dale Reicheneder and Angela Brunson, flew out from California to participate in the race.

Peter Vail extended a half-way lead of 40 seconds, to win by over 4 minutes over fellow GoLite/Sportiva team member Bernie Boettcher. That's in spite of taking two spills over the second half of the race. He beat last year's winning time by over 2 minutes.

Boulder resident Cheryl Stephenson outpaced GoLite/Sportiva racer Bronwyn Morrisey by 3 minutes.

Thanks to everyone who carpooled, arrived early, and were patient with parking. Your cooperation allowed us to get everyone parked inside the park and ready to start on time.

Races can not happen without the help of some great volunteers. Thanks to my friends from DenverTrailRunners, Rocky Mountain Road Runners and Colorado Masters Running Assoc for helping at the race including (excuse me if I've forgotten anyone): Jan Ingebrigtsen (who helped me mark the course on Saturday evening, and swept the course on Sunday), Eric Beech, David Rothenburger, Joe Paniccia, Connie Ahrnsbrak, Dave Black, Ray Grundmeyer, Bethanie Werner, David Benedict, Jeff O'Reilly, Matt Kennedy. Also to my wife, Marion Sills, who managed registration, then greeted you at the top of the Coyote climb. Thanks to Jan, Izzy and the rest of the Gilpin Search and Rescue crew for making sure everyone was safe. Thanks to the park rangers the Friends of Golden Gate Canyon State Park.

Thanks to my sponsors for providing prizes and food: La Sportiva, GoLite, Redfeather Snowshoes, Vitamin Cottage, Runners Roost, Boulder Running Company, Two Feet to Go, Trail Runner Magazine, Honey Stinger, and Heidi Schutt of Running Delights.

I am always looking for ways to improve the experience. I do want to hear from you, both the good and bad. I'd also like to hear stories about how the race unfolded for you, whether you were in the front, middle or back of the pack.

For more trail running frun, join the free DenverTrailRunners and BoulderTrailRunners groups.

Click for photos at Colorado Runner Magazine


Place Name Gen Age City, ST Time Pace
1. Peter Vail M 30 Boulder 1:22:48 7:05
2. Bernie Boettcher M 42 Silt 1:26:51 7:25
3. Martin Tucek M 29 Denver 1:28:11 7:32
4. Jesus Martinez M 19 Denver 1:33:05 7:57
5. Toby Nitschke M 36 Littleton 1:34:19 8:04
6. Hector Martinez M 21 Northglenn 1:35:22 8:09
7. Ryan Robert Roth M 23 Boulder 1:37:09 8:18
8. Eric Ndikumana M 15 Denver 1:37:15 8:19
9. Andrew Terrill M 35 Golden 1:38:05 8:23
10. Clark Fox M 43 Lakewood 1:38:46 8:26
11. Derek Allen Griffiths M 30 Littleton 1:39:30 8:30
12. Thomas David Kehoe M 43 Boulder 1:41:40 8:41
13. Chris Dobbins M 37 Boulder 1:41:55 8:43
14. Graeme Duncan M 29 Denver 1:42:17 8:45
15. Seth Adam Portner M 35 Boulder 1:43:51 8:53
16. Michael Robbert M 30 Littleton 1:45:31 9:01
17. Jim Hunter M 54 Ft. Collins 1:45:34 9:01
18. Cheryl Stephenson F 38 Boulder 1:45:57 9:03
19. Philip Ross Hadley M 34 Nederland 1:46:39 9:07
20. Joel A Rodgers M 42 Fayetteville, WV 1:48:22 9:16
21. Bronwyn Morrisey F 38 Boulder 1:48:46 9:18
22. Doug Brandmier M 54 Longmont 1:49:00 9:19
23. Dale Reicheneder M 39 Malibu, CA 1:49:37 9:22
24. Thomas Johnson M 31 Glendale 1:50:12 9:25
25. Tom Carminati M 48 Boulder 1:50:49 9:28
26. Mauro Martinez M 16 Denver 1:50:54 9:29
27. Rachel Marie Foss F 24 Denver 1:50:57 9:29
28. John Brown M 39 Boulder 1:51:07 9:30
29. Rachel Nellie Garton F 27 Denver 1:51:31 9:32
30. Jeffrey Young M 49 Denver 1:51:42 9:33
31. Joseph Manilifasha M 14 Denver 1:51:45 9:33
32. Tina Brown F 38 Boulder 1:52:37 9:38
33. Alan Johnson M 44 Westminster 1:53:30 9:42
34. Karen Voss F 40 Denver 1:53:54 9:44
35. John Haddon M 34 Denver 1:54:03 9:45
36. Frank George Anello M 31 Denver 1:54:15 9:46
37. Ronald Lambke M 39 Golden 1:54:40 9:48
38. Jeffrey Hall M 46 Louisville 1:56:53 9:59
39. Ron Benioff M 42 Golden 1:58:31 10:08
40. Don Hutcheson M 45 Fort Collins 1:58:43 10:09
41. Tom Masterson M 60 Boulder 1:58:56 10:10
42. Bob Weber M 46 Golden 1:59:02 10:10
43. Deb Cunningham F 43 Denver 1:59:52 10:15
44. Jim Romero M 65 Denver 2:00:41 10:19
45. Richard Fey M 33 Boulder 2:00:42 10:19
46. Kristen Schorer F 33 boulder 2:00:57 10:20
47. Salim Rothman-Haji M 33 Denver 2:01:18 10:22
48. Beth Michelle Wyatt F 37 Denver 2:01:53 10:25
49. Angela Brunson F 33 Los Angeles, CA 2:02:07 10:26
50. Julio Bonilla M 17 Denver 2:02:32 10:28
51. Justin Blue Dentry M 33 Denver 2:03:00 10:31
52. Jeanne Blatter F 47 Silt 2:03:45 10:35
53. Molly Nasky F 39 Boulder 2:04:08 10:37
54. Dave Cunningham M 44 Denver 2:04:08 10:37
55. Rick Farrand M 47 Denver 2:04:44 10:40
56. Mike Brower M 43 Fort Collins 2:05:30 10:44
57. Jonathan Scott Torizzo M 36 Boulder 2:06:24 10:48
58. Mike Dano M 27 Golden 2:08:49 11:01
59. Tim Bailey M 47 Owingsville, KY 2:10:20 11:08
60. Brandi Blads F 30 Rollinsville 2:10:35 11:10
61. Cheryl Black F 41 Denver 2:10:58 11:12
62. Kenneth Miller M 46 Golden 2:11:12 11:13
63. Christina Lekas Torizzo F 33 Boulder 2:11:20 11:14
64. Bohdy Hedgcock M 35 Denver 2:11:40 11:15
65. Bonnie Keefe F 40 Centennial 2:11:50 11:16
66. Bernard Sopky M 34 Westminster 2:12:25 11:19
67. Micol Rothman-Haji F 33 Denver 2:13:07 11:23
68. Marc Weaver M 53 Boulder 2:13:10 11:23
69. Scott McFarlane M 54 Littleton 2:13:27 11:24
70. Wendy Levang F 40 Parker 2:13:45 11:26
71. Kerry Vargo F 41 Parker 2:13:58 11:27
72. Omar A. Torres M 16 Denver 2:14:03 11:27
73. Patrick R Milian M 16 Centennial 2:14:30 11:30
74. Bridget Hunt F 40 Golden 2:14:50 11:31
75. Samantha Towne F 17 Lakewood 2:15:24 11:34
76. Doug Smith M 55 Centennial 2:16:02 11:38
77. Buck Norris M 53 Ft. Collins 2:16:20 11:39
78. Ann Root F 32 Boulder 2:16:34 11:40
79. Peter Szymanski M 49 Denver 2:17:19 11:44
80. Sylvia Martinez F 21 Northglenn 2:17:21 11:44
81. Ann Kerrigan F 37 Denver 2:18:41 11:51
82. Ramon Milian M 48 Centennial 2:19:15 11:54
83. Eric A Gustafson M 38 Eaton 2:19:28 11:55
84. Michael H Harper M 40 Eaton 2:19:31 11:55
85. Mark R Blanchard M 39 Golden 2:26:52 12:33
86. Diane Bandle F 47 Colorado Springs 2:27:49 12:38
87. Susan Wescott F 41 Denver 2:30:20 12:51
88. Vicky Graham F 41 Boulder 2:32:10 13:00
89. Janet Bell F 43 Boulder 2:32:11 13:00
90. Nancy Bonifer F 36 Littleton 2:32:32 13:02
91. David Mellon M 50 Louisville 2:35:32 13:18
92. George Peknik M 58 Boulder 2:41:28 13:48
93. Gary Abeyta M 42 Littelton 2:42:03 13:51
94. Jodey A Hart F 37 Littleton 2:42:04 13:51
95. Doug Bandle M 54 Colorado Springs 3:02:47 15:37