Nearly 300 runners came out for the eighth annual Grizzly Growl 5K to support the Maple Grove Elementary PTA, students and teachers. The cool and cloudy October day made for nearly perfect course conditions as evidenced by the five course records that fell.
Race winner Jonathan Damiano from Golden bested the field with a fast 17:11, which also earned him an age group course record. Other record-breaking runs were turned in by five-year-old Mercury Bland who toppled the old record in the 6 & Under Males with a 31:36. Joshua Coon’s 18:33 broke the course record for 30-34 Males while Marty Billings did the same in the 35-39 Males category with an 18:17. Ed King broke his own course record for 60-64 Males by nearly 20 seconds clocking in at 23:05.
While no course records were broken on the distaff side, there were a few very impressive performances. Wheat Ridge High School senior Nyla Chamberlin took top honors for Females with a speedy 20:31.
The day’s award winners were all smiles as they collected their ribbons from Golden resident and former NFL player, Goldie Sellers, who also started the 1K Fun Run. Many gathered around to make sure they got their pictures taken with him by race photographer Wendy Wood.
Produced by members of the PTA including with the assistance of Right Start Race Management, the race netted the PTA more than $4,500. Plans already are underway for next year’s event on Sun., Oct. 2, 2016.