Denver’s largest running event returned to it’s normal spring weekend after two years of cancelations and postponements. This year, the event had more than 16,000 registrants.
The event began in 2006. It was canceled in May 2020 and postponed from May until October in 2021. It traditionally ranks as Colorado’s second-largest running event behind the Bolder Boulder.
In this year’s marathon, Tyler McCandless of Fort Collins pulled away early to run a new course record time of 2:21:07. His time was also a new age group state record. Finishing second was Zebulon Hanley of Louisville (2:30:41) and third was master’s runner Anthony Bruns of Denver, coming close to a new age group state record in 2:32:48.
Sarah Villasenor of Denver was the first female in the marathon, running 3:02:52. She was followed by Sarah Bay of Niwot (3:05:18) and Janie Nabholz of Denver (3:09:24).
Overall, 1,089 people crossed the marathon finish line.
The largest race of the day, the half marathon, saw Francis Miaraho Colorado Springs lead 3,547 people to the finish line in 1:08:10. He was followed by past winner Patrick Rizzo of Kingston Springs, TN (1:09:25) and Alexander Diltz of Boulder (1:10:49).
Atsede Baysa of Colorado Springs took top honors for the ladies, running a blazing 1:14:51. She was followed by Stevie Kremer of Crested Butte in 1:20:50 and Holly McKinney of Denver in 1:23:28.
Sunday also provided runners an option to run 10 miles over the final 10 miles of the marathon course. 721 people opted for this option, Christian Van Cleave of Wheat Ridge running a 57:13 for the win. Estelle Richardson of Denver was the first female in 1:05:20.
Also run on Sunday was a five person marathon relay which drew 645 teams (3,225 runners) from corporations, government agencies and friends alike.
Saturday’s 5K saw 1,205 people cross the finish line in City Park. Jackson Friesth of Lafayette cruised to a 90 second victory in 16:14. Megan Derschang of Denver was the first female in 19:29.
The Colfax 5K also hosted the Denver area Girls on the Run 5K, which was run separately from the Colfax 5K. This race was only open to Girls on the Run members and their families and had a whopping 2,745 finishers!