2008 Rocky Mountain Half Marathon and McDonald’s Women’s 8K Kicks Off Colorado’s Summer Running Season
Local Olympian Alan Culpepper Wins Half Marathon
DENVER, Colo. – June 8, 2008 – The 2008 Rocky Mountain Half Marathon and McDonald’s Women’s 8k significantly increased its number of participants today with nearly 2,000 registered runners, almost doubling the number of runners that registered last year, while hosting elite field winners such as Lafayette resident and two-time Olympian Alan Culpepper who won today’s half marathon.
Today, runners of all speeds and abilities experienced significant new highlights at the event that positively enhanced their overall run:
- Advanced electronic timing by IPICO which provided easy and more accurate time tracking with no chip return at the finish line
- A fun, festival-like race day expo that included food, beverages, entertainment and kids activities
- A world-class, professional start/finish line
In addition, McDonald’s donated $1 for every Women’s 8K registrant to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Denver and Aurora. The Denver area is home to two Ronald McDonald Houses including the original House and the new Aurora House near the Fitzsimons medical campus. For more than 30 years, Ronald McDonald House program has been providing families with a safe, supportive place to stay while their child receives treatment in a nearby hospital or medical facility.
Half Marathon Results:
In the men’s category, Alan Culpepper won the half marathon with a time of 1:07:57; Jason Parks, Broomfield, finished second with a time of 1:14:00; and Denver resident John Nichols finished third with a time of 1:15:19.
In the women’s category, Englewood resident, Nicole Chyr finished the half marathon first with a time of 1:28:38; Lindsay Mangold, Broomfield, finished second with a time of 1:31:07; and Kristin Donald, Brighton, finished third with a time of 1:31:31.
McDonald’s Women’s 8K Results:
Boulder resident Kristin Fryburg won the McDonald’s Women’s 8K with a time of 29:23; Cassie Ficken, Highlands Ranch, finished second with a time of 32:29; and Maria Klemenc, Albuquerque, New Mexico, finished third with a time of 35:12.
“Today’s events captured what epic Colorado summer running should be,” said Anton Villatoro, Executive Director of the Rocky Mountain Half Marathon and McDonald’s Women’s 8K. “We started the morning with a few summer showers but the sun came out just in time for racer’s to cross the finish line. On behalf of everyone at the 2008 Rocky Mountain Half Marathon, we congratulate today’s winners, race participants, and thank all of our sponsors and volunteers who made this race such a success.”
The Rocky Mountain Half Marathon and the McDonald’s Women’s 8k race began and ended at downtown Denver's Riverfront Park. The half marathon took runners past several of the city's signature tourist attractions, including Larimer Square, Coors Field, Invesco Field, Denver’s Performing Arts Complex, Elitch Gardens as well as provided breathtaking views of the city and mountains from Sloan's Lake (around which the half marathon proceeds near the end of the course).
For more information and complete results of the Rocky Mountain Half Marathon and McDonald’s Women’s 8K, please visit www.rockymountainhalf.com.
About Experience Sports, LLC
Experience Sports, which produces the Denver Marathon and the Rocky Mountain Half Marathon, brings unmatched urban running experiences to the Colorado community.
| Photos | |
 |
 |
