DENVER, Colorado — As a distance coach for the Glenwood Springs High School’s track and field team, Sarah Shepard was already in Denver for the Demons’ fruitful trip to Saturday’s Cherry Creek meet. So, she figured she might as well fit in a little weekend competition as well.

On Sunday, the 2002 Glenwood Springs graduate had a heck of a run at the Cherry Creek Sneak five-mile foot race, finishing second overall in a field of more than 2,100 women and first in the citizen’s race. Her time of 29 minutes, 23.6 seconds, put her behind only elite division runner Danielle Korb of Fort Collins, who clocked a 28:29.8.

Shepard would have registered herself in the elite division, if not for a little pre-race confusion.

“I wasn’t sure, exactly, if you had to have a special entry,” she said. “I probably should have jumped over and registered for the elite. Maybe for next year.”

The former University of Colorado at Colorado Springs cross-country and track standout had no idea where she finished as she zipped across the line with the masses; more than 3,500 runners took to the streets of Denver for the five-mile race.

“I crossed the line and was like, ‘Oh, I won,’” Shepard said. “Usually you have somewhat of an idea where you are, but there I was not exactly sure. It was just a good day. It all came together.”

Shepard, who graduated from UCCS in 2006 and used up an additional year of athletic eligibility in 2007 before returning to Glenwood Springs, is busy competing whenever possible and studying to get into graduate school.

She finished a marathon in January and hopes to tackle the Bolder Boulder 10K on May 26. Short- to mid-distances, though, are what Shepard’s focusing on.

“I think the 10Ks, and probably 5K through a half marathon, are good distances for me,” said Shepard, who finished second at last year’s Strawberry Shortcut and Turkey Trot, both local events. “They’re a little more speed-based and less endurance-based. While my legs are young, I think I’ll try to keep focusing on speed. I’d like to try and do a fast half-marathon. That’s kind of my goal.”

Shepard, who fought injuries in college, is just happy to be healthy, competing and coaching.

“It’s really fun,” Shepard said of the Demon runners she coaches. “After they have a good race, I do my workout and they somewhat inspire me. I like trying to figure out how to get them motivated. That’s my main goal in coaching, to get them to love running.”