This past Saturday, the Rifle Senior Center played host to the fourth installment in the EcoPoint/Rifle Recreation 5K running series. The AnyBody 5K Run and Walk welcomed 71 participants to the streets and rolling hills overlooking the town of Rifle.

The EcoPoint series awards points to runners based on placing in their respective age group. The top 10 runners in each male and female age group can accumulate points, leading up to the final race in the series on Thanksgiving Day at Deerfield Park in Rifle. Next up in the series will be the Silt Historical Park Hobble 5K on Saturday, July 12.

Geo Mendez of Rifle took top honors at Saturday’s run. Mendez, who has hit the finish line ahead of everyone else in the previous three series races, recorded a time of 17 minutes, 40 seconds to outpace Wesley Toews of New Castle, who was clocked at 18:27. For the ladies, Rylie Gardner took the win and third place overall with a time of 23:39. Kelsea Fettig (24:54) and Maria Hill (26:21) rounded out the women’s podium.

The race was a benefit for the many programs that help the folks at the Rifle Senior Center.

Top 10 Overall Runners
(*Denotes female)

1. Geo Mendez, 17 minutes, 40 seconds
2. Wesley Toews, 18:27
3. Rylie Gardner*, 23:39
4. Chris Huerta, 23:50
5. Rico Quezada, 24:21
6. Dusty Harris, 24:38
7. Phil Dunn, 24:48
8. Kelsea Fettig*, 24:54
9. Ali Vasquez*, 26:18
10. Maria Hill* and Jonathan Ceballos, 26:21

Shortcut and firekracker

Don’t forget to get registered for Sunday’s Strawberry Shortcut runs. The 10K will start at 7:30 a.m., followed by the Bob Willey 5K at 9 a.m., and things get wrapped up with the Nancy Reinisch 1-mile family run at 10 a.m. You can register at strawberryshortcut.org, or in person in front of the Bank of Colorado on Saturday, June 21, from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. There is also race morning registration. The races will start and finish at Bethel Plaza under the bridge.

Glenwood has a race on the Fourth of July also, at Two Rivers Park. The Firekracker 4K (2.5 miles) is sponsored by the Lions Club. All of the proceeds from this race go toward helping needy families in the valley with the cost of eye exams and eyeglasses.

50th Glenwood Open golf

The weekend of July 12–13, the Glenwood Springs Golf Course will play host to the 50th anniversary of the 36-hole amateur tournament. Golfers of all abilities are welcome, from championship flight level to the fifth flight, based on a player’s USGA handicap.

There is still time to register by visiting the GSGC clubhouse or by calling 970-945-7086. If you are a former championship flight winner, please call the clubhouse and give them your name and the year(s) that you won. General Manager Cody Nelson is trying to gather a listing of as many former winners as possible to celebrate the tourney’s 50th anniversary.

Hoop D’ Ville

Mike Picore’s annual basketball bash is coming up on Saturday, July 19, at the Sayre Park outdoor courts in Glenwood. The format is 4-on-4 for the adult and high school girls tournaments. The action starts at 9 a.m. and usually ends around 3 p.m. Spectators are welcome.

Last year, the girls tournament drew teams from Glenwood, Roaring Fork, Coal Ridge, Grand Valley, Rifle, Palisade and Grand Junction.

On the subject of girls basketball, Glenwood High School hosts summer league scrimmages at GSHS on Tuesday evenings. The games generally run from 4–8 p.m., and there is no admission cost. The next games are scheduled for Tuesday, July 1, 8 and 15.

There are some excellent teams in the area. Come on out and watch!