Latest News – June 20

Bowman Competition Draws Folks In, Bows Back

By Brennan Ruegg, Leadville Today Contributor

The Father’s Day Shoot, featuring the David Lucero Memorial Challenge took place in Lake County over the weekend, June 18 & 19 at the Rocky Mountain Bowmen Club Range.

Two archers draw back their bows, ready to shoot at the David Lucero Memorial Challenge in Leadville this weekend. Photo: Brennan Ruegg/Leadville Today

With about 120 participants on Saturday, the Colorado Bowhunter’s Association gathered and camped together like a band of arching gypsies. The final trial for the day on Saturday, June 18 was The David Lucero Memorial Challenge, a timed running course where 3D targets which are shot at from thirty yards, between bouts of running just under a mile.

The memorial challenge is in honor of 32-year-old Leadville father David Lucero who drown in 2012 while trying to get two young girls to the shore on Clear Creek Reservoir south of Lake County. The children were saved but the avid outdoorsman become a hero that day, and The David Lucero Memorial Challenge was created in his honor.

With bows of varying technical complexity, visitors from around the United States gathered under an unusually hot Leadville weekend, to put hobby and profession to the test.

Organizers with the Colorado Bowhunter’s Association review the contest rules and safety measures before the archery competition began on June 18 & 19 in Lake County. Photo: Brennan Ruegg

Leadville Marathon & Heavy Half . . . By The Numbers

Some say that when it comes to racing, it’s all about the numbers. And for Leadville, that’s true. So here’s a numbers report about the Leadville Trail Marathon and Heavy Half held last Saturday, June 18.

Timmy Parr of Leadville took top place in the Leadville Race Series’ Leadville Trail Marathon on June 18 with a 3:33:39 finish time. Photo: LRS

At the end of the day, one thousand seventy-three racers could call themselves “Finishers” in the Leadville Marathon or Heavy Half – congratulations. There were more racers in the Heavy Half (563) than the Marathon (510), taking on 13,185 feet Mosquito Pass and reports of “more than four feet of snow” still on the trail at some points. But the LRS crew makes sure that the way is clear and this year was no different.

Marathon racers saw true trail conditions encountering snow fields and lots of spring run-off conditions. But you can’t beat the view from the top! Photo: LRS

But for those who toughed it out, through the course changes, through the snow fields and wet trail conditions, the victory was that much sweeter. And so it was for Leadville’s Timmy Parr who crossed the finish line first with a 3:33:39 finish time. Rounding out the winner’s podium was Michael Aish at 3:40:12 and Brent Abbott at 4:04:13. On the women’s podium, it was Maggie Walsh with an impressive 4:29:40. Stephanie Wurtz (4:42:08) of Manatu Springs, and Kerry Wlad (4:49:38) of Boulder who rounded out the top three female finishers for the Leadville Trail Marathon.

On the “lighter” side of the race, also known as the Heavy Half Marathon, Tyler McCandless broke through the finish line ribbon first with a time of 1:59:21. Jordan Jones was only seconds behind for a second place finish of 2:00:24. FULL Race Results HERE.

Aside from the race numbers, the Jansen family story played out on the local race course.  You see, according to race organizers in 2012, Rob Jansen chose the ?Leadville Marathon as his first race and took 33rd place. Since then, Rob has passed away but his sister, Elizabeth and her family continue to run in his honor. At last Saturday’s finish line, Elizabeth’s boyfriend Kyle Amell proposed – and she gladly said yes. All the best!

While the Leadville Trail Marathon tops out at 13,185 ft Mosquito Pass which still has snow, the real ice could be found at the finish line in the form of an engagement ring for marathon runner Elizabeth Jansen, when her – now finance – Kyle Amell dropped to one knee with a marriage proposal which she accepted! Congratulations to the newly engaged couple – All The Best! Photo: LRS.