Weather predictions came true Sunday morning for the 33rd Annual Cherry Creek Sneak. Much like the 2014 event, cloudy skies, rain and chilly temperatures set the stage for the multiple race distances that kicked off throughout the morning. Fortunately, the wind stayed calm and the flat and fast course proved to be an attraction for some of Colorado’s top runners.
The men’s 10 mile race saw reigning 2014 champion Taylor Garrett keep his title and better his time with a 56:52 finish. Only seconds separated second and third place finishers Zach Watson and Matthew Walworth. Watson out-kicked Walworth to a second place finish in 57:40. 54-year old Walworth finished third in 57:42.
The competition in the women’s 10 mile race was fierce; the top three finishers crossed the line within thirty seconds of one another. Kristin Louderback beat last year’s champion, Nicole Chyr, finishing first in 1:03:54. Chyr came in second in 1:04:08, with Kari Samuelson rounding out the top three in 1:04:13.
In the men’s 5 mile race, 2014 champion Scott Dahlberg swept the field yet again, bettering his time with a 24:42 finish. Coming in second was 2014’s third place finisher, Branden Johnson in 25:01. Jordan Jones crossed the line in third in 26:30.
Another 2014 champion returned this year to defend her crown: Nell Rojas once again won the women’s 5 mile in 29:48. 13-year old Riley Geldean came in second in 30:28, with Sarah Pizzo finishing third in 30:47.
The men’s 5K race saw Andy Rinne better his 2014 third place finish with a win in 17:13. 41-year old CJ Hitz came in second in 17:35, with 14-year old Gage Voss close behind, finishing in 17:45.
In the women’s 5K race, Alexis Wilbert took top honors in 18:19. 2014 winner Alayna Szuch was second in 18:50, and Elena Gomez of Denver came in third in 19:01.
The men’s 1.5 mile race saw some fast finishing times, with 14-year old Sammy Kane coming in first in 8:31. Close behind was second place finisher Jake Rosen, 11, in 8:40. Rounding out the top three was 50-year old Steven Monroney in 8:51.
A trio of young speedsters topped the podium in the women’s 1.5 mile. 8-year old Magdalena Smidchens came out on top in 11:44. Second place belonged to 7-year old Brigid Morin in 12:30, with 7-year old Blake Hughes close behind, finishing third in 12:34.