The 2018 version of the Labor Day Half Marathon, 10K and 5K in Parker saw record crowds at Salisbury Park. The weather was perfect for running with overcast skies and temperatures hovering in the high 50 to low 60 degree range throughout the morning.
The race saw a new course thanks to the work of the Town of Parker. With a newly paved section of trail running from Salisbury Park to the Cherry Creek Trail, runners were treated to fast times due to a course free of gravel and multiple turns. Running north on the Cherry Creek Trail to Cottonwood Park and back, the race features just a slight elevation change throughout the event.
This year, Denver’s Matthieu Caldwell and Parker’s Julie Olsen-Smith led led 190 runners to the half marathon finish. Caldwell set a new event record, running 1:17:55. Olsen-Smith crossed the finish line in 1:30:22 to take the victory.
In the 10K, runners turned around near Railbender Park before returning to the finish at Salisbury Park. Husband and wife duo Brian and Monica Folts of Denver took top honors for the men and women, crossing the line in 35:26 and 40:06. There were 130 finishers in the 10K.
The largest event of the day, the 5K, took runners to the newly paved section of the East/West trail before returning to Salisbury Park. Zach Rumlow of Parker led 224 finishers in the 5K, crossing the finish line in an event record 18:14. Denver’s Emily Renner took top honors for the third year in a row in the ladies race. Renner’s time of 19:53 was good for fifth overall.
Photos and results from the event can be found here.