Overcast skies led to cooler conditions at the popular Pearl Street Mile in the heart of downtown Boulder. The event is a community classic, with this year’s race hitting the 19th year mark. Runners of all ages and abilities lined up to compete with Olympians, local word class athletes, 6-year olds, their grandparents, and everyone in between. There are four race heats, starting with the Kids 1/2 Mile, then the Open Men’s and Women’s Race, followed by the Elite Women and then the Elite Men.
Both the headlining Elite Women and Men’s fields put on quite a show, with sprint finishes in each race. In the men’s mile, 2015 University of Colorado graduate with All American Credentials Blake Theroux took the lead just before the final turn at Spruce and 15th and grabbed the win in 4:11. Kenya’s Kevin Kochei held on for second place in 4:12, with well-known runner Stephen Pifer taking third, also in 4:12.
The women’s race saw Stanford Junior and former Niwot High School running superstar Elise Cranny outlast the stacked field for a top time of 4:49. Coming in a very close second was Katie McMenamin in 4:49, with West End 4K champion Mara Olson rounding out the top three in 4:51.
In the preceding Open Men’s Wave, Boulder’s own Tyler Butterfield finished on top in 4:47, with 41-year old Michael Jackson a close second in 4:52. Nate Hill of Frisco crossed the line in third in 4:57.
The Open Women’s Wave saw Alexis Skarda of Boulder grab the win in 5:21, the same finishing time as second placer Hana Creasy of Pittsburgh, PA. Rounding out the podium was 16-year old Anna Fiorella Tenorio in 5:24.
Of course, we can’t forget about the competitive Kids Half Mile results! 12-year old Harrison Freis-Levy took a commanding lead early on and finished in first in 2:45. Coming in second was 8-year old Aaron Brady in 3:11, with 9-year old Charlton McDewitt a close third in 3:19.
On the girl’s side, an impressive performance by 12-year old Ella Wolf was good enough for first place in the girl’s division, as well as second overall in 2:56. 9-year old Lyla Lanning was second in 3:11, and 10-year old Macy Troop finished up in third in 3:17.