It was cool and grey, but fast racing weather on dry, well-marked trails. After the pre-race meeting, everyone lined up along the start-tree, flanked by proud Salomon flags, and the airhorn signaled the start throughout San Luis Obispo valley. Runners took off, just as a fine mist began to fall, but the kind of mist that motivates, not dampens, spirits.
The first racers approached the finish, laced with volunteers ready to take their bib tags and hand them a blue Fluid finisher water bottle for a job well done. Kevin Koeper, 31, broke his course record by completing the rugged 10k in 39:57, with Scott Peterson, 42, another past race winner, following him at 44:24. Our first woman finisher came in not long after: Carin Serba, 24, finished in a blazing 48:35 – all smiles and thumbs up.
Despite a reputation for a grueling 10k, there’s plenty of fun for everyone. The trail isn’t just tough, it’s beautiful – along Laguna Lake, across the flats, up the hill and winding its way around one of the more stellar peaks in the valley though grassy single track, tree shaded trails, and rocky fire road. Our youngest racer, Cruz Godar, 9, came in at 1: 48:25, and our oldest, Nova Poff, 73, finished in 1:30:09. Racers enjoyed after-run snacks provided by House of Bread (a San Luis-based bakery) along with more traditional fare such as oranges and bananas.
Awards were held promptly at 11:00 am, with great prizes like shoes from Salomon and insoles from SOLE. All in all, it was a great launch for All Out Events’ 2010 race season. We’ll see you next year for our fifth-annual race!
Photos are available here: http://www.shutterfly.
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