Wheelchair racer Ross Osborne, of Fountain, and Mike Olson, carrying his POW-MIA flag were allowed to lead the field at the start of the Veterans' Home Run on Saturday at Memorial Park.

PHOTOS: Veterans' Home Run
RESULTS: See your results in Finish Line Index

By Monica Smith
PikesPeakSports.us

Nothing sets the mood for a race like good weather, good company and a good cause - all present on Saturday at the 8th annual Veterans' Home Run 3K and 5K.

The race returned to its original site in Memorial Park this year after being displaced to Monument Valley Park in 2012 by the Waldo Canyon Fire.

There was no hiding the purpose of the race, a fundraising event for the local Crawford House, which provides temporary housing for homeless veterans receiving mental health care. Multiple American flags waved in the morning breeze, while Crawford House veterans manned volunteer stations. And the ‘Girlz 4 Vets’ team runners brought their famous red hats with American flag patches.

Race director Jon Cornick gathered runners to the starting line and reminded everyone of the reason they were there: “The Crawford House has been in existence for about 10 years and it’s in existence because of you guys, because of donations and because of sponsors,” he announced.

Cornick continued his pre-race announcements and introduced Crawford House sponsor representatives to present donations to Vicki Pettis, program director of Colorado Veterans Resource Coalition, which totaled nearly $10,000.

“We’re so proud to be able to help sponsor Crawford House,” said Rotary Club’s Carol Bach as she presented Pettis with a $2,000 donation.

Wheelchair racer, Ross Osborne, of Fountain, and Mike Olson, most known for carrying the POW-MIA flag in many races each year, kick-started the races. After a five minute head start, including a brief moment of silence, the remaining runners took off into Memorial Park.

First to finish the Veterans' Home Run 5K was Paul Mann, of Colorado Springs, in 17 minutes and 34 seconds. Mann managed a repeat victory after winning last year’s race on the Monument Valley course.

“I won last year so I thought I’d come back,” Mann said. “I didn’t know if I was going to win though. I used to race every weekend and I’m getting back into it right now."

Jay Meservy, of Colorado Springs, finished second in 17:46, while Jordan Hoffman (Colorado Springs, 18:00) rounded out the top three.

Annette Eichenberger, a senior Air Force Academy cross country athlete, was first to finish for the women in 19:48. Eichenberger said she has no plans to race the rest of the summer, but would like to join the  Army’s World Class Athlete Program after graduation.

Kayli Tabares, 13, of Colorado Springs, finished second and smashed her own age-group record by nearly three minutes with a time of 20:28. Third for the women was Ashlee Romani, of Coal Creek, Colo., clocking in at 20:58.

Several other runners set age-group records, including Nancy Hobbs (Colorado Springs, 50-59, 22:07); Finbarr Kirwan (Colorado Springs, 40-49, 18:24); Ron Rubin (Colorado Springs, 60-69, 21:13); and Jim Chaney (70-98, 28:16).