More than 30 runners braved a steady, chilly rainstorm Saturday morning to compete in the second annual Mancos Cowboy Half Marathon.
The out-and-back race began at Boyle Park with a mounted patrol escort, then followed County Road 41 through Weber Canyon.
Within a couple of miles from the start, runner Kathryn Ross, of Durango, pulled away from the field, and never lost the lead.
The 24-year old swim coach for Durango High School crossed the finish line with a time of 1 hour, 27 minutes.
"I got a gap early, and never looked back," she said. "I just ran my own pace. It's a fun route with rolling hills. Very scenic."
Garrett McAllister, 30, of Mancos, came in second place with a time of 1 hour, 30 minutes. The rainy, snowy weather with temperatures in the mid 30s didn't faze the lead runners.
"Actually, the rain helped keep me cool," McAllister said. "I'm really more of a cyclist and don't run a lot, but I did some training for the race."
Race organizer Ben Hahn is a former professional runner who now teaches physical education at Cortez Middle School and is also the track coach. His passion for fitness inspired the event.
"I saw there are a lot of runners here but not half-marathon. It's a tough course, not pancake-flat," he said. "Sixty percent of the race is on dirt road, which the trail runners around here really appreciate."
Sponsors and support from the town made it happen as well, Hahn said, and a portion of the $65 entry fee went to local charities.
This year's sponsors were The Grand Gym, Taylor Raymond Gallery, Red Wagon Energy, Premier Weed Management, Brown's Sport Shoe, Mancos Valley Bank, The Mancos Project, and Tailwind Nutrition.
The winning purse was $200, plus some Osprey Pack gear.
Neil Nelson and the Saloonatics performed a hearty mix of country, rock, and blues at the park. And Mancos Brewery provided a keg of fresh beer for the after-race party.
Hawn's vision is for a series of running events that culminate in a full marathon.
"A running series gets people more acclimated to a marathon," he said. "Starting off with a 10K, then a half marathon as a stepping stone to a full marathon," he said. "It gets people motivated, and this area has a lot of excellent route opportunities."
jmimiaga@cortezjournal.com