Winter has a great start on Grand Mesa! This was celebrated with the WinterStart 5K at Skyway, the first race in this season’s series sponsored by Empowered Energy Systems. This year’s early snowpack plus the extensive off-season trailwork completed allowed us to groom the Sunset-Lions-Arroyo loop for the race course. This was a great improvemnet over the course we’ve been using most years, Scales Lake Road out and back on thin snow. A huge bravo for Dave Smith and our Operations staff for making this happen!
Ferguson St.John and Emma Barsness prevailed on this challenging course as they were the winning male and female in both the 5K Classic and 5K Freestyle races. Ferguson won the Classic race by a wide margin but was seriously challenged by Torbjorn Roed in the Freestyle. It was shaping up to be a photo finish until Torbjorn lost his balance on the final curve 20 yards from the finish and hit the deck. A remarkably fit 50 Christie Aschwanden was the second place female in both races pushing the young Emma.
The two winners each received a cash prize plus a Mom Tille hand knitted GMNC hat. Everyone else got a chance at one of the great door prizes provided by our generous business supporters Peach Street Distillers, Peachfork Winery, Bestslope Coffee, Enstrom’s Toffee and Ela Family Farms. As always, thanks to our lead sponsor Empowered Energy Systems. And, of course, it’s our volunteers who make it all happen. Thanks to Melanie, Diane, Larry and Shannon!