The Mancos Public Library took over the running of the Mancos Half Marathon this year with the intent of opening up the event to more people in the community, event organizer Shaine Gans said.
In the first two races in 2014 and 2015, the event was known as the Cowboy Half Marathon and only included a 13.2-mile race, Gans said. For the third year, the library took over, renamed the event the Mancos Half Marathon and added a 5K race and a fun run.
The changes worked out for the better for the race, which took place June 25, Gans said.
“We had an incredible turnout,” she said.
Curtis Moore, 35, came in first place overall in the half marathon on Saturday with a time of 1:30:58. Keri Nelson, 35, was the fastest-running woman, with a time of 1:39:32.
In the 5K race, Zane Wilson came in first place with a time of 23:20, while 13-year-old Tim Wyman was second with a time of 24:35. The fastest female runner in the 5K was 16-year-old Emma Most, who ran the race in 24:40.
A total of 71 people ran the half marathon and 60 people ran the 5K. That more than doubles the number of participants from 2015, when 33 people ran the half marathon. In 2014, 62 people participated in the race.
The overall winners of the race received gift certificates for Salomon running shoes, Gans said. Other prize-winners got hydration packs from Osprey and products from Durango Running Company, she said. There was a raffle drawing for other prizes, she said.
The event also included kids events, a food vendor and massage therapists. A DJ provided live music all day, and there were lots of people dancing, Gans said.
Organizers are grateful to all the sponsors of the event, as well as the Friends of the Mancos Library, who provided food for the runners after the race, Gans said. She also thanked the volunteers who helped hand out water to the runners and cheer them on.
“We’re super-excited about the outcome this year,” Gans said. “We’re looking forward to taking this event on in the future.”
For more information and the full list of racers, visit www.mancoshalfmarathon.com.