Athlete Profiles

For the longest time, Heather Utrata was a Denver-area road running favorite. She won a lot of races - some competitive and some not - including two straight Colfax Marathons (2009 + 2010). She was nominated for the Colorado Sportswoman of the Year award in 2012, the same year that she set her personal best in the marathon (2:41, Tucson Marathon). Utrata now races less, doesn't update her blog, and left Denver for Greeley.
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Seen kicking through the finish line tape at such high profile races as the 2014 Rock 'n' Roll Denver and Chicago Half Marathons, Wacker's exciting finisher antics shouldn't distract you from his talent and drive to be the best he can be.
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Pat Rizzo is one of our favorite Colorado pros.  He's run as fast as 2:13 for the marathon, moved from Boulder to Colorado Springs this year, and is outspoken about doping and his own frequent drug tests.  We chatted with Pat about all of this.
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Colorado native Kristen Arendt has tried living elsewhere, but the allure and draw of the Colorado mountains and running epicenter brought her quickly back.  The Newton Running Elite member knows that's one of the keys to her success, for her the "combination of the stellar places to run and the great community of runners...altitude and mountains" provide the perfect setting for her training and all around living.
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Sage Canaday doesn't really need an introduction.  His running endeavors and accomplishments span across the country and even the world.  From top finishes in many of running's hardest races (like his recent Speedgoat 50K win), to his work in the field as an author and filmmaker at V02max Productions, Canaday is well known in the industry.
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There's just something about a runner that's been pounding the pavement for longer than some athletes have been alive that makes people turn heads - especially one that can keep up with the running's upper ranks.  Dan Spale is just that runner.  The 57-year old Runners Roost athlete has been running for 32 years, just two years shy of how long he's been married. The humble father of three graces the top age-group podiums on the regular, and also holds the Colorado age group record in the half marathon.
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Each and every runner has their own quirks and preferences, and Kara Lubieniecki is no different. The Colorado native that races for the Saucony Hurricanes and Hudson Training Systems Elite teams knows that her success is based off the joy she receives by training with others: "I draw my inspiration from the people I run with. They keep me accountable for my own training, and I am inspired by them when I see them succeed."
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There are two things you may be surprised to learn about Amanda Scott.  First, she didn't start her athletic career as a runner.  The Virginia Beach native and now Boulder resident grew up running around the soccer field.  Her love for running didn't come until her sophomore year of high school when she tried out for the cross country team.
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Chances are you've heard of Colleen De Reuck.  A Boulderite for several decades and a familiar face on the podiums of top races across the world, De Reuck has certainly made a name for herself.  What's surprising is the dichotomy between her seemingly aggressive, confident racing style and her laid back, relaxed perspective on the sport.
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Wendy Thomas had no idea she would become an elite runner. As a young mother of two boys, she simply wanted to lose a few pounds.
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