On Sunday, June 22, as part of Glenwood’s Strawberry Days festival, the 49^th running of the Strawberry Shortcut races will commence in downtown Glenwood Springs.

With the start and finish on Seventh Street at the Bethel Plaza, runners and walkers have a variety of distances to choose from to satisfy their fitness palate. The 10 kilometer (6.2 mile) run will get the morning started bright and early at 7:30 a.m. Up next is the Bob Willey 5k (3.1 mile) at 9 a.m.

The Nancy Reinisch Mile, named in honor of the late Glenwood athlete and fitness coach, will conclude the trio of races at 10 a.m. The staggered start times allow the very fit, and very ambitious runners to participate in all three races. Yes, there are a dedicated few who do it each year. Sign up for the annual run can be done at strawberryshortcut.org. There will be in person registration the morning of the races starting at 7 a.m. and also the day before on June 21 from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. in front of the Bank of Colorado on Grand Avenue.

Glenwood’s Mike Kishimoto has been the Shortcut race director since taking the helm from Kevin White in 2018. Kishimoto’s goal was simple, to keep the participation numbers growing and make sure people had fun.

“I just wanted to keep the participation numbers high and make sure the race was a fun and important event during Strawberry Days weekend,” said Kishimoto. “We also wanted to raise as much money as possible for those wonderful special Olympians of Colorado.”

Kishimoto is also quick to recognize Bill Deter and everyone at the Bank of Colorado as the title sponsor of the race.

“They deserve a lot of the credit for the fact that this race (shortcut) is still in existence,” stated Kishimoto. 

Besides huffing and puffing runners crossing the finish line, the morning’s festivities at the Bethel Plaza will include the annual Kiwanis pancake breakfast as well as a chance to grab all the floating money you can in the Bank of Colorado cash vault. Live music will be provided by the bluegrass band, Buffalo Joe. Adult beverages are courtesy of the Glenwood Canyon Brewpub.

The race awards ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. at the Plaza. So don’t look back, look forward. Show up for yourself on June 22 and get some exercise.

Remember, your best days are ahead of you.

It’s the place to be.

Glenwood Springs native Mike Vidakovich is a freelance sports writer, substitute teacher and girls basketball coach. His column typically appears on the third Wednesday of every month in the Post Independent and at PostIndependent.com.