The Dalles - Valentine's Day River Run

The Valentine's Day River Run is one of several runs scheduled this year to support the Jump Start Summer Basketball camp scholarships and Colonel Wright Elementary physical education.

The runners in this year's Valentine's Day River Run shattered race records on Saturday, Feburary 12th.   The Dalles Chronicle, published an article about the race, titled: Love is in the air during Valentine's Run.

Race Report by Tom Conklin:

With temps hovering around 53 degrees at 9:00am the registration tables were set up for the 127 runner’s and walkers that would head to the starting line which would start at 10 am.

At start time, the temps reached closer to 55 degrees and the sunny skies added to each participants mental preparation in one of three race distances.  The field of top flight runner’s did not disappoint, as three race records were shattered!  In the walker’s division, from the Slim Down Challenge community, the HAWG Squad was the winning team with 4 of it’s members participating, taking the first place prize for  having the most of it’s teammates participating.

3K Race:  TDW XC runner’s in the 3K took the top three spots, as Gold medalist Greg Glesener missed the course record of 11:21 held by Luis Martinez, with a 11:25, with his XC teammate Rhette Mullins and Luke Conklin following with a 11:33 and 11:36 respectively.  TDMS 8^th grader XC runner,  Katie Conklin took the 3K gold medal with a 13:40, while 7^th grader Emily Morin ran a PR (personal record) time of 14:08 for second and 13 year old Hanna Ziegenhagen taking third place medal in a time of 16:22.

5K Race:  TDW XC standout runner Alex Dillard demonstrated his running skills by breaking his 2010 Valentine’s 5K course record of 18:05 by taking the gold medal with a time of 17:12, with former TDW XC   standout runner‘s, Daniel Lira and Ben Iremonger taking 2^nd and third in a time of 17:35 and 18:54.  In the female division:  Shayla Stankwitz, Denise Doney and Kathi Olson were the top three finishers with 28:59, 29:08 and 29:21 

10K Race:  Hermiston XC coach, Jake Puzey took the 10K gold medal with a new course record formerly held by Stan Holeman of 36:08, with a final clocking of 32:51 with Gary Daubenspeck taking the silver and Rick  Jones in 3^rd, with a time of 38:25 and 43:10 respectively.  In the 10K Female division, Jake’s wife Jen Puzey,  beat the old 10K record held by Jessica Hudec of 41:25, with an impressive time of 36:37 for the 6.2 mile river trail.   While Bobbie Bustamante and Chenowith Elementary Music Teacher, Bobbie Stirling took the 3^rd place medal in times of 45:02 and 45:37.

The TDW Athletic team challenge: posed to all TDW sports coaches: to have their athletes participate in this Valentine‘s race:  The winning coach was Coach Kevin Kramer’s wrestling team.  13 of the wrestlers competed in the 3K run.    The final run/walk of the three race winter series is the St. Patty’s day river run/walk, set for Saturday, March 12^th.  

For more pictures and race information check out:  http://columbiagorgerunningclub.com/gorge_races/ag_001.php