Staff Report

The unofficial start of Glenwood Springs’ running season is Sunday with the Mother’s Day Mile.

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And, for the first time, the Mother’s Day Mile is the official kickoff of the new Glenwood Charity Race Series. The series includes four of the area’s marquee races in the Mother’s Day Mile, Strawberry Shortcut 5 and 10 kilometer, Citizens Fun Run 5K and the Canyon Shuffle 5K and half-marathon.

“It’s been a discussion (creating the race series) for at least five years, and every year (the race organizers) would say, ‘Oh, we ought to do that,'” said Tom Lacy, a race organizer for the Canyon Shuffle. “This year we did it.”

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The goal of the race series is to promote a healthier community and increase participation in all four races, thereby raising more money for each of the charities that benefit from the races.

And the hook? Prizes.

The winners of the races have always received prizes, but in the series, anyone who finishes three of the four races will be eligible for a raffle that includes a three-night, all-inclusive trip for two to the Red Mountain Adventure Resort in Utah donated by the Property Shop, a two-night stay at a luxury townhome in Moab, Utah, donated by Jim Githens and Val Gilliam, and a new treadmill from HealthStyles of Glenwood Springs.

The series organizers hope the lure of prizes will be the nudge locals need to up their participation levels and also entice more participants to travel from beyond the Glenwood area for the races.

“We are hoping to draw from Denver and Grand Junction,” Lacy said. “Glenwood is always a favorite destination for (runners) and this just gives them another reason to come.”

The Mother’s Day Mile, which benefits the Advocate Safehouse Project, is the ideal kickoff to the Charity Race Series. Those runners who have been working on an extra layer of warmth over the winter more than their running stride can knock out the one-mile race in minutes without being laid up for a week. Upon finishing, participants will be a third of the way to qualifying for the race series raffle.

MDM: see page 13

Sunday’s race, as much a social event as a competition, is in its fifth year and starts at Glenwood Medical Associates (1830 Blake Ave.) with opening ceremonies at 1 p.m.

The course heads east on Highland Park Drive, north on Bennett Avenue, then wraps through the Colorado Mountain College parking lot/water station to 13th Street before heading back south on Blake to the finish line.

Finishers will be greeted with roses, caramel apple suckers and, of course, slices of homemade apple pie. The top three in each age class will win awards, as will the fastest overall male and female, mom, grandma and great-grandma.

There will also be a silent auction on gift baskets from noon-2:30, face painting and a massage tent.

The race starts in the following waves: 1:15 p.m., kids 14 and under; 1:30 p.m., men and women 15-39; 1:45 p.m., men and women 40 and over; 2 p.m., nontimed participants (walkers, strollers and families). The awards ceremony is slated for 2:30 p.m.

The race is $12 per person ($15 on race day) or $40 per family ($50 race day). Children under 5 are free. For more information or to register, visit http://www.active.com, call 945-2632 or e-mail nrein@rof.net.

For information on the Glenwood Charity Race Series visit http://www.glenwoodraces.com or call 945-8503, ext. 3336.For information on the Glenwood Charity Race Series visit http://www.glenwoodraces.com or call 945-8503, ext. 3336.