All Photos by Derek Griffiths
Copyright 2004 / Colorado Runner

Photo prints from this event for sale! Click here to see all available photos!

Elevation Outfitters, Denver's only locally owned and operated active lifestyle and outdoor apparel store, hosted their first annual 10K run through Lodo on October 17, 2004. The race, presented by Westword Newspaper, started and finished near Elevation Outfitters' location in Denver's Larimer Square.

9News anchor Bob Kendrick spent the morning with hundreds of runners on a course that took them from Larimer Square, out to Coors Field, through uptown Denver and back through LoDo. The race kicked off at approximately 8 am with announcements from several people including from Bob Kendrick and John Oliva, the race director. The fastest time was recorded at 31:16.

The Elevation Outfitters 10K Run for the Environment, presented by Westword, benefited Environment Colorado and the Larimer Arts Association. Sponsors for the day included: Salomon, Rocky Mountain Sports, Boulder County Fit, Mountain Gazette, Breckenridge Brewery, Alphagraphics and The North Face. The run was followed by a presentation of cash prizes in several categories, a raffle for several gear items and gift certificates, free beer from Breckenridge Brewery, and entertainment by The E Project. Additionally, there was a vendor expo set up on Larimer Street featuring 27 vendors some of which included: Camelbak, Colorado Athletic Club, Loki, Robeks, Red Bull, Starbucks, Pearl Izumi, Ultimate Direction, Shapeworks and Juice Plus. Panera Bread, Krispy Kreme and Ted's Montana Grill supplied post race snacks.

"We were thrilled with all aspects of the race. The course was fantastic, the weather was perfect and the turnout was truly amazing for a first year event. The expo was very well attended by both race participants and the public and everyone had a great time," said Jon Larson, co-owner of Elevation Outfitters. "Really, we couldn't have asked for more. We will certainly make this an annual event that will grow bigger and better every year."

"The event was a huge success pulled together by a wonderful team of hard working people. It was extremely well received by the runners of the Denver area, many of them pleasantly surprised to have a new, high quality race in the area," said John Oliva, race director and chief Adventure Officer of Explore Adventure Sports. "Designing an exciting course was a major priority for the team as we were and will continue to be dedicated to putting on a first class event. We are looking forward the future of what promises to be one of Denver's premiere 10K races."

Environment Colorado-- www.environmentcolorado.org --is a non-profit that works for clean air, clean water, and open spaces in Colorado. The Larimer Arts Association-- www.larimerarts.org --is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting arts awareness and education in Denver.

Elevation Outfitters was founded on a passion for the outdoors, respect for the environment and a sincere love of the adventure industry. Locally owned and operated, the store offers customers a unique blend of outdoor technical fitness, footwear and lifestyle apparel.

1. Runners begin their trek through LoDo in the First Annual Elevation Outfitters 10K Run For The Enviroment


2. Ben Payne is close behind DiGrappa in second


3. Travis Daniels round out the top 3


4. The 1st wheelchair participant


5. Lynn Foutch (1st female) makes the turn for home


6. Jocelyn Petrella is not far behind


7. Russia Pearson (3rd female) making the turn onto 15th Street


8. Mark Hanson, Scott Poston, and William Gillaspie (L to R) run three abreast


9. Jeff Minotto, Raymond Hebert, and Michael Engle (L to R)


10. Jon Schlegel, Paul Majors, and Eric Rode (L to R)


11. Brad Mitchell, Andrew Chen, Jocelyn Weelve, and Jana McKee (L to R)


12. Clifton Nock leads Sharyn Gebott, Amy Williams, and Jaymee Pearson to the finish


13. Hangin' out at the post race expo in Larimer Square

Full results can be found here.