35th Annual Imogene 17.1 Run takes place this weekend

The 35th Annual Imogene Run is set for  Sept. 6, over the 17.1 mile course from Ouray to Telluride and will include more than 1,200 runners from 34 states, ranging from Hawaii to Massachusetts and the District of Columbia, with a number of international entries. 

   Starting at 7:30 a.m. at 4th and Main Streets in Ouray, the race will follow the Camp Bird Road some 5.5 miles out of Ouray to the Lower Camp Bird Mine. The remaining 4.5 miles of the ascent to Imogene Pass, elevation 13,120 feet, wind past the Upper Camp Bird to the summit. Well above tree line, the final couple of miles pose world class challenges with elevation increases ranging from  800 feetto in excess of 1,000 feet per mile and gradients in excess of 20 percent. The downhill portion from the summit into Telluride completes the course with a decent of 4,300 feet over the remaining 7.1 miles along the Tomboy Road, finishing in town at Oak Street and Columbia.

According to Jett and the race web site, the race has a rich history and has experienced phenomenal growth. It began in the summer of 1974 when Telluride runner Rick Trujillo made the run in training for the upcoming Pikes Peak Marathon. The idea attracted the interest of a half-dozen Telluride locals who decided to inaugurate the first ‘Imogene Mountain Pass Marathon.’ This first formal run was won by Trujillo in 2 hours, 21 minutes, 18 seconds. Trujillo would go on to achieve three more wins in the next five races.

    The record for total victories among male runners belongs to Matt Carpenter of Colorado Springs with six from 1988 to 1998, including the course record in the astonishing time of 2:05:56. The current defending male champion, Bernie Boettcher of Silt, Colo. has four titles to his credit (2000, 2003, 2004,  and 2007).

   The first female participant, Cynthia Wright from Silverton, entered the second race in 1975 as the only female runner that year, finishing in 4:50:47. The number of women runners has increased from that single entry to 490 last year, with a similar number for this year’s event. Women who have won multiple times include Telluride’s Kari Distefano (1996, 1997, 2000, 2001), Najeeby Quinn of Gunnison and Anchorage (2002, 2003, 2005, 2006), and defending champion, Lisa Goldsmith of Nederland (2004, 2007). The course record for females of 2:23:37 belongs to Carolyn Rogers-Dunning, set in 1984.

   Emergency provisions include mountain rescue support with EMT and first-aid personnel positioned along the entire course. To further insure that runners are adequately prepared for the extreme challenges of the run, mandatory minimum times are set for the 10 miles of ascent to the summit. Runners not meeting the minimum times are required to return to Ouray. An added safety provision for the 2008 run gives runners a course closed to vehicular traffic. Prompted by the ever-growing popularity of the run and increased traffic, IPR Board of Directors were successful in obtaining permission from the San Miguel County Commissioners to close the road over Imogene Pass for race day. The road will be closed from 7 a.m. until noon from Ouray and from 7 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. for access from Telluride.

Proceeds from the Imogene Pass Run are used to support high school running programs in Ouray and Telluride, among other local charities. Supporting organizations include Alpine Bank, San Miguel and Ouray County Search and Rescue, the Montrose Amateur Radio Club, the Telluride Ski and Snowboard Club, Sheridan Opera House, Baked in Telluride, the Twin Peaks Motel in Ouray, and Telluride Parks and Recreation.

  The race depends on support from 200-plus volunteers to serve the six aid stations along the course. Those interested in working may still contact organizers through the IPR web site or call John Jett at 728-0251.