To say there were tough conditions at the Christmas Carol Classic would be an understatement. The 6th annual event kicked off at City Park in low, single digit temperatures after a night that saw almost a foot of snow dropped throughout the front range. Spirits were warm, though, and a couple hundred brave souls came out for the 10K, 5K and Tiny Tim 1K, which is the second event in the City Park Winter Running Series.
In the men’s 10K, 14-year old Asher Hoyt took first in 44:26, with 41-year old Caleb Melamed a close second in 44:55. Finishing third was 41-year old Chad King in 45:28.
The women’s 10K saw Julie Piniazkiewicz of Colorado Springs take top honors in 51:15. Coming in second was Ashley Luna of Fountain in 53:05, with 31-year old Brittany Kahl rounding out the top three in 54:25.
In the men’s 5K, 53-year old Kent Lange grabbed the win in 21:48, and James Farrell of Boulder finished second in 22:25, just out-sprinting 48-year old Matt Duane who took third in 22:27.
The women’s 5K saw a close finish as well, with 46-year old Shanna Dahl of Laramie, WY coming in first in 25:46 and Denver’s Amy Lopez finishing second in 25:50. Third place belonged to 33-year old Karen Manahan, who crossed the line in 26:11.
The event benefits Denver Children’s Home – restoring hope and health to traumatized children and families for more than 100 years.