Temperatures were chilly, but the atmosphere was warm for the Santa Stampede 10K and 5K on at Hudson Gardens in Littleton. The event kicked off this season’s 2016/2017 Winter Distance Series hosted by Colorado Runner, followed by the Frosty’s Frozen Five and Ten on January 21st and the Snowman Stampede on February 18th.
Participants were treated to a flat and fast course along the South Platte River Trail, great race swag with Santa hats for all, shirts, finisher’s medals, free photos, and a fabulous post-race party stocked with post-race massages, muffins, cookies, and more.
As usual, both the 5K and 10K distances attracted some of Colorado’s finest, with the top male and female finishers in each race receiving special awards, and all top age group finishers receiving Runner’s Roost Gift Certificates.
In the men’s 10K, 29-year old Eddie Perez grabbed the win in 33:45, with 33-year old Nicholas Boehlke a coming in a close second in 34:05. Kyle Pietari of Edgewater crossed the line in third in 34:55.
The women’s 10K saw 27-year old Kristen Arendt finish first for the women in 36:17, also good for fifth overall. Boulder’s Krystalanne Curwood finished a close second for the ladies in 36:34, with 29-year old Amanda Scott rounding out the top three in 37:10.
In the men’s 5K race, 41-year old Andy Rinne finished first in 16:39, with 29-year old Eddie Perez – who finished first in the 10K – coming in second in 16:58. Sean McNeil of Denver was a close third in 17:02.
The women’s 5K saw 22-year old Heather Gates take top honors in 18:07, with 37-year old Jocelyn Petrella Gallagher coming in second in 19:11, and 17-year old Jordan Junan rounding out the podium in 19:51.