Greenland Trail 50K, 25K, 8M

On a picture-perfect day on the trails of Greenland Open Space in Larkspur, CO, the 9th Annual Greenland Trail Races kicked off under sunny skies and cool temps. Over 700 participants took to the trails for one of the fastest 50K’s in the nation, as well as a 25K and 8 mile race. Course records were set in the men’s 50K and 25K events, and participants took advantage of the dry and clear trails as well as a hopping post-race party.

In the men’s 50K, reigning champ Peter Maksimow of Manitou Springs not only took the win for the third consecutive year in a row, but he also bested his own course record from 2012 by a minute. Maksimow’s 3:21:10 was only four minutes faster than second place finisher Brad Seng of Boulder who ran stride-for-stride with Maksimow until mile 28.5. Young buck Jay Meservy, 24, rounded out the top three in 3:46:20.

The women’s 50K race saw 41-year old Elizabeth Gold take top honors in a time of 4:07:26, with second place finisher Cathi Webber, 44, cross the line in 4:49:04. Erie’s Amber Schriner took third in 4:54:59.

Neil McDonagh of Manitou Springs set a new course record in the men’s 25K with a finishing time of 1:32:22. Coming in second was 38-year old Greg Coplen in 1:43:28, with 44-year old William Gray of Colorado Springs rounding out the top three in 1:45:38.

In the women’s 25K race, former USATF Mountain Teammate Megan Lizotte of Basalt, CO dominated the course in 1:46:59. Second place finisher Christine O’Gorman, 24, finished a strong second in 1:55:04. Coming in third was 41-year old Susie Rinehart in 1:58:02.

Finally, in the men’s 8 mile, course record holder (set in 2006) Andy Ames crossed the line first in 48:26. Greg Nash of Boulder finished up in second in 50:31, and 37-year old Derek Engard grabbed third in 53:28.

In the women’s 8 mile, former Greenland 25K champ Lindsay Krause of Littleton took top honors for the women, as well as fourth place overall with a time of 52:07. Winter Park’s Nancy Citriglia finished second in 58:15, and Trudi Jackson of Colorado Springs rounded out the top three in 1:0:20.

The Greenland Trail 50K, 25K, and 8 Mile needs additional volunteers for the race on May 4. The race will take place at Greenland Open Space Park in southern Douglas County, south of Castle Rock, just off I-25. Volunteers are needed to help with race registration, water stations, and the finish line. All volunteers will receive an official race shirt, as well as a free entry into another race that Colorado Runner Events produces, which includes the Santa Stampede 5K and 10K, Frosty’s Frozen 5 and 10, and the Snowman Stampede 5 Mile and 10 Mile.

The Greenland 50K is currently celebrating its ninth year. In addition to enjoying a wide dirt trail race that travels Colorado’s Front Range Trail, runners and walkers will receive an innovative technical running shirt in both men’s and women’s sizing, a 50K finisher’s medal, chip timing, and a party-like atmosphere at the finish with delicious food and drink, including muffins, pretzels, cookies, and pizza. The race also offers a 25K distance and an 8 mile distance for runners and walkers.

“Last year we welcomed record crowds to event,” said Derek Griffiths, race director. “We had nearly 800 finishers at the trail running festival, which has filled for the past five years.”

Race winners will be awarded running shoes by LaSportiva. Also, the Boulder Running Company has donated $1,500 in gift certificates that will be given to the top three runners in every age group. The Boulder Running Company is also providing in-store registration at three locations: Littleton, Colorado Springs, and Boulder. The Greenland Trail is a very fast course and also very beginner friendly.

The trail running festival benefits the Douglas Land Conservancy. The Douglas Land Conservancy is a non-profit land trust dedicated to the protection and conservation of the natural character, habitat, and open space of the central Front Range region of Colorado, including Douglas County and surrounding areas.
The series is sponsored by the Boulder Running Company, LaSportiva, Hammer Nutrition, Road ID, Gatorade, Power Bar, Belvita Breakfast Bisquits and Colorado Runner Magazine.

Entries are available online and at the Boulder Running Company. For more information on the races, visit www.greenland50k.com. To sign up as a volunteer, click here http://runningguru.com/VolunteerInformation.asp?VolunteerID=196.

Ultrarunning Magazine’s annual “Year in Review” has revealed the Greenland 50K as one of the fastest ultras in the nation in 2012. Both the male and female winners in last year’s event ran ridiculously-quick course records and dozens of other ultrarunners set their own personal bests on the speedy course.

Ultrarunning Magazine ranked female race winner Kerrie Bruxvoort as the twelfth fastest female in the nation with a finishing time of three hours, 51 minutes, and 27 seconds. “It’s beautiful out here and I love to run,” she said after the race. “That’s all I need.”

Male race winner Peter Maksimow ranked as the 22nd fastest 50K male runner in the country with a time of three hours, 22 minutes, and 9 seconds. It was the second time Maksimow had won the Greenland 50K. “I was just trying to work the downhills,” he said. “It was a matter of pacing.”

The 50K race had 138 finishers last year and is ready to offer an even better race this year. It will play host to the Road Runner’s Club of America Colorado 50K championship. Elite runner entries are available.
The Greenland Trail Races offers three outstanding distances in southern Douglas County. Registrants can choose to run the 8 Miler, the 25K, or tackle the 50K ultramarathon. With Pikes Peak as the backdrop, runners will cruise over a soft dirt trail, past small ponds, hills, and wildlife. This year’s trail running festival takes place on May 4. With chip timing, an innovative technical running shirt in men’s and women’s sizing, and great food at the finish, this race will make you want to come back for more!

Registration for the 2013 Greenland Trail Races is now open. All events take place at Greenland Open Space in southern Douglas County, just minutes from I-25.
The race is a benefit for the Douglas Land Conservancy, a non-profit, accredited land trust dedicated to the protection of the natural character of our region and to the conservation of natural habit and open space.

The series is sponsored by the Boulder Running Company, LaSportiva, Hammer Nutrition, Road ID, and Colorado Runner Magazine. The Boulder Running Company is rewarding age group winners with store gift certificates, while LaSportiva is offering free shoes to the winners in each event.

To learn more about the events and to register online, go to www.greenland50K.com.

The Boulder Running Company has committed to awarding all age group winners at the 2013 Greenland Trail Races with gift certificates. The first place winner in every age group will receive a $20 gift certificate to the Boulder Running Company. The second place winner will earn a $15 gift certificate and the third place winner will be awarded a $10 gift certificate.
The Greenland Trail Races include a 50K, a 25K, and an 8 Mile. The trail running festival is held in Greenland, Colorado in Douglas County. The Boulder Running Company is also providing in-store registration at three locations: Littleton, Colorado Springs, and Boulder.

Runners and walkers can visit the Boulder store at 2775 Pearl Street, the Littleton store at 8116 W. Bowles Avenue, or the Colorado Springs store at 3659 Austin Bluffs Parkway to register. Store hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Sunday store hours vary by location. In addition to store registration, entrants can sign up online at www.greenland50k.com.

The Boulder Running Company in Littleton will host this year’s prerace packet pick up. The event will be held from 5:00 p.m. until close on Thursday, May 2 and Friday, May 3. Visit 8116 W. Bowles Avenue in Littleton to avoid the rush on race morning by gathering your bib number, shirt, and timing chip, as well as ask questions about the race. Registrants can also pick up their packets on race morning.

About the Boulder Running Company
The Boulder Running Company specializes in helping runners find the perfect match for their feet. They pride themselves in having a knowledgeable and friendly team. They were the first running store in the country to offer customers a free video gait analysis, and they continue to offer this service today. In addition to a huge range of performance shoes and apparel, each store also carries a wonderful selection of comfort casual footwear and apparel.

About the Greenland Trail Races
The Greenland Trail Races offers three outstanding distances in southern Douglas County. Run the 8 Miler, the 25K, or tackle the 50K ultramarathon. With Pikes Peak as your backdrop, you’ll cruise over a soft dirt trail on your way to a new personal best. With chip timing, an innovative technical running shirt in men’s and women’s sizing, and food at the finish, this race will make you want to come back for more.
To learn more about the events, go to www.greenland50k.com.