DENVER – On June 27, over 100 runners braved the heat of the first full weekend of summer for the 10th Annual Northside Stride 5K/10K at Sloan’s Lake. Since 2000, the park has welcomed bibbed runners amid the normal Saturday crowd of baby strollers and dog walkers to raise scholarship money for North Denver students.
“This is the tenth time we’ve organized the race,” said Dr. Jeffrey Young, North High cross country coach and race sponsor. “I’m happy that after all these years, we’ve become a popular event with a regular following at Sloan’s Lake.”
The winners of the 2009 North Side Stride 10K were last year’s winner Omar Martinez of Denver (35:35) and Jen Sagat of Chicago (40:23). Finishing first in the 5K were former North High state champ Joseph Manilafasha (16:36) and Samantha Towne of Denver (21:47). Prizes and medals were awarded to top individuals according to age group and to the high-scoring teams. The race also featured a 400-meter children’s fun run.
After the race, competitors were treated to barbeque and a prize drawing, featuring donations from small businesses and restaurants around North Denver. Planned Pethood Plus, a neighborhood veterinary clinic which Young owns, hosted the BBQ.
Proceeds from the race will all go to benefit the Marcia Mounsey Foundation, a neighborhood organization that has awarded more than $100,000 in scholarships for art, music, and athletic training to children in Northwest Denver.
“As North Denver has changed since I started coaching at North, I’ve been pleased to see how the neighborhood has become more runner-friendly.” added Young. “We’ve been proud to showcase Sloan’s Lake for road runners across the state, and we look forward to coming back next year.”
For more information about the Marcia Marcia Foundation and to see more photos from the race, visit www.marciamounsey.org. Complete race results can be seen at www.plannedpethoodplus.com.
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