Mild winter weather – sunny with a brisk wind chill – brought out a record number of finishers to the El Paso County Search and Rescue’s 34th Annual Rescue Run yesterday.
Winners of the out and back, up and down 5k race were 27 year old Daniel Castaneda (17:15) and masters runner Rochelle Persson (20:19). Persson was also the 2011 winner of the master’s division of the Colorado Runner Racing Series. Peter Maksimow (35:49) and Connilee Walter (43:36) were victorious on the challenging 10k course, which was altered from the regular course due to a last-minute closure in the park.
The 5k and 10k races were run on the roads and trails of scenic Palmer Park in Colorado Springs, CO. The race is owned by – and is a direct benefit to – El Paso County Search and Rescue (EPSCAR), and jointly organized by Pikes Peak Road Runners (PPRR) and EPSCAR.
Dave Sorenson, co-race director, told CRM that “In exchange for the help that the PPRR gives with the Rescue Run, the EPCSAR provides medical, traffic, and all-around other support at the four PPRR Winter Series races. Just like the PPRR, the EPCSAR is an all-volunteer organization [and] many of the EPCSAR members spend several thousand of their own money for the necessary climbing and hiking gear.”
“The final financial numbers are not in yet, but it looks like the race will net somewhere around $9,000 – $10,000. This goes to pay for some basic expenses for the EPCSAR such as gas, utilities, insurance, etc. They do get some grant money, but it typically can only be used on capital equipment. Thus the EPCSAR needs income like this to help cover their other everyday expenses.”
EPSCAR responds to a wide variety of outdoor emergency needs in the El Paso County Area. Sorenson said, “If somebody gets hurt or lost on one of our trails, it’s usually the EPCSAR that responds.” On New Year’s Eve, EPSCAR was called out to assist a member of the AdAMan club, who had been injured near treeline on Pikes Peak.
The great weather forecast likely contributed to yesterday’s record numbers of 815 finishers of 867 registrants. Three free kids races were also offered at the event.
The Rescue Run was one of many races in the state to offer a ‘running’ start to the New Year. Complete results for this race and others can be found in our results index.
January 2, 2012 by Connilee Walter
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