Dolores cross-country teams found themselves running at night last Friday at the Southwest Sunset Classic in Durango.
While the middle school race took place first with the sun still up, varsity teams ran in the dark with the course lighted by glow sticks.
Head coach Nick Kohler said the weather was perfect for a night meet and that the races were a lot of fun.
Teegan Hite finished 27th with a time of 23:14, and Kohler said that in a meet with larger schools, only one 2A runner completed the race quicker than Hite.
As for the boys, Brennan Hite led the team with a 32nd place finish (19:39), with Phillip Hufman in 37th (21:57) and Cael McHenry in 51st (21:57).
"We were short-handed due to sickness and prior travel plans, but I was pleased nonetheless," Kohler said. "The competition at this race was as good as we will see for the year."
The middle school runners hit the course earlier in the afternoon, with 135 runners competing.
Tyler Cutrone led Dolores with a 18th-place finish (12:18), Tim Wyman finished 38th (13:13), and Xander Eichner placed 68th (14:06).
"Overall I was happy," Kohler said. "The runners are learning about position at the start of a race and how important it is for them to get out quick or they find themselves blocked in with runners who may run a slower pace."
The Bears' next race is the Ramble at the Reservoir at Ridgway State Park on Friday, Sept. 18.
