Turkey Track Trail Raises More Than $2,000
for GECKO Scholarship Fund
The Turkey Track Trail Marathon and Half-Marathon kicked off Saturday under ideal running conditions. Of the ninety-four registrants from ten states and more than thirty-five cities, seventy-five individuals finished the beautiful and challenging course. Every runner interviewed said that they’d had a blast following the gold ribbons provided by event sponsor Montrail Shoes through the lush ponderosa forests of Pagosa Springs, CO.
Each runner also had a story about why they run and how they came to run in Pagosa Springs. A few of the highlights include; Kirsten Alburg from Girwood, Alaska and David Selkowitz from Anchorage, Alaska, who searched the country for a “Mountain Marathon, without snow and without grizzly bears” to complete their very first full marathon. Both finished in style. Henry Rueden from De Pere, Wisconsin came to Pagosa to complete his 603rd marathon! Female ultra-runner Jenna Gruben made sure that her trip from Steamboat Springs worth the drive by winning the women’s Marathon and giving the men a run for their money by finishing fourth overall. Our signature sponsor, Carmichael Training Systems, sent Coach Matt Carnal to offer training advice and prove that if you “Train Right” you run well. Matt finished second overall in the half marathon.
In addition to the fabulous attendance by out of town racers, the eighteen runners from Pagosa Springs reflected very well on our local running community. J.D. “Speedy” Kurz won his second of two GECKO races, smoking through the half-marathon in 1:29:57. Not far behind, women’s champ, Annie Sewell, also a two time GECKO winner, who finished in 1:40:28 and third overall in the half marathon. Local ultra running legends “Frozen” Ed Furtaw and Patrick McKenzie came out and ran the race in true ultra style. New to town ladies Jennifer Riekenberg and Linda Stanger won the women’s over forty half marathon finished second in the women’s marathon respectively.
One of the most appreciated aspects of the race were the handmade finisher medals created by Ms. Tessie Garcia and several of her third grade artists from Pagosa Springs Elementary School. Racers commented how cool it was to have “signed art” as an award.
Events like these cannot succeed without volunteers and support. More than thirty local volunteers gave their time and energy to make this first event a success. A very special thank you to the local Wolf Creek Wheel Club, Pagosa Trail Riders ATV Club, and the dozens of local business sponsors that support GECKO’s mission to get kids unplugged, off the couch and outside!
If you missed the Turkey Track Trail, don’t worry. If you participated and want do it again, don’t worry. You’ll all get a second chance. Next month (July 18th) our second event, The Devil Mountain 50k and Half-Marathon takes place! Make sure to put it on your calendar now, and register today by clicking here.