Only 17 miles to Telluride

More than 1,100 runners crossed the starting line at 4th Avenue in Ouray promptly at 7:30 a.m. Saturday morning in cool 38 degree mountain air on what turned out to be an almost ideal day. Two hours and eighteen minutes later, 26 year old Timmy Parr, a graduate student at Western State College in Gunnison, was first overall to finish, followed closely by last year’s overall champion, Bernie Boettcher, 46, from Silt, Colorado, some three minutes faster than his last year’s record time for the master’s division.

The first woman to complete the 17.1 mile run, Carrie Nelson, also represented Gunnison. The bulk of the runners came from Colorado, but large contingents represented New Mexico, along with a particularly successful group from Flagstaff, Arizona.

According to results posted electronically at the finish, among top Montrose finishers were Doug Maddy (3:10:39), Bryan Gieszel (3:14:26), John Unger (3:24:34), and Lisa Moot (3:27:30). Maddy finished 90th overall and 18th in his division while Gieszel was 112th overall and 17th in his division. Lisa Moot, top female finisher from Montrose, posted an outstanding 11th place in her division and 192 out of the 1,100 starters. Unger was the 169th runner to cross the finish, 10th in his division.

John Unger, running in his 17th IPR in the past 21 years, commented on the good conditions, absence of serious injuries, and great group of runners. “The Imogene is especially good among these events for its atmosphere of congeniality.” He shared enthusaism with fellow runners for the two first place gender finishes from Gunnison and the number of younger runners participating in the annual event.

The race is supported from start to finish by more than 200 volunteers, managing aid stations throughout the course, and a staff of EMS personnel to address injuries at the finish line, tending especially to blisters and road rash, always a factor on the steep mountain course.

Finishers at the corner of Oak and Columbia, just above the entrance to the Sheridan Opera House, were greeted by cheers from admiring onlookers who had to be constantly reminded not to get in the way of the runners. Fluids, fresh fruit, soup and congratulations from friends, family, and especially fellow runners completed the event.