Scott Spillman, 25, of Colorado Springs, won the inaugural Super Half Marathon and 5K Family Run Sunday in Colorado Springs, covering the 13.1-mile distance on the Pikes peak Greenway Trail in 1:17:35.

Race Results Here

PHOTOS: Super Half Marathon and 5K, Gallery 1, Gallery 2, Gallery 3, Gallery 4, and Gallery 5.

WOMEN'S STORY: Newcomer captures women's Super Half Marathon, longtime local runne...

By Joe Paisley
More than 800 area runners and walkers took advantage of the inaugural Super Half Marathon and 5K Family Fun Run/Walk Sunday morning in downtown Colorado Springs, burning some extra calories in preparation of consuming a lot more while watching the Super Bowl XLVI.

”It’s a good way to earn it,” said men’s 5K champion Kevin Morgan, 24, who won in 18 minutes, 19 seconds, despite a head cold.

Morgan, who runs for the Boulder Running Company was pushed by runner-up Philip Meyer (18:22), 17, who competes for Cheyenne Mountain High School cross country.

“I’m looking forward to putting my feet up and watching the game,” Meyer said.

It was a fun way for many to jumpstart their day and the post-race party at Jack Quinn’s was hopping by noon.

“It’s like the Thanksgiving Turkey Trot,” Meyer said. “People like getting some exercise before they sit and eat for the rest of the day.”

It wasn’t all about the fun. The competitive juices kick in with 200 yards left as third-place finisher Rick Shoulberg, 50, of Guffey showed.

“I’m just competitive,” said Shoulberg, who sprinted the final 200 yards to pull away from two others, including fourth-place finisher Mitchell Shaw, 13, a seventh grader at Colorado Springs Christian School.

That competitiveness was more evident in the Super Half Marathon, which was won by new Colorado Springs resident Scott Spillman, 25, in 1:17.35. It was his first 13.1-mile race since 2005.

“I was looking to break 1:17.30 so I’m a little disappointed,” he said. “It was a great race.”

Runner-up Cody Hill, 38, of Colorado Springs (1:18.30) was happy to finish second after running his first long race in 3-4 months. Gerald Romero was third in 1:22.33.

“There are not that many races this time of year so this is a good race to have,” Hill said. “It’s a good way to knock the rust off.”

For many, the event was a chance to get in a good run and enjoy some family time.

“It’s a real family event,” said Bill Werling, 46, of Colorado Springs, who ran with his wife Kim and their two young sons. “It’s the first time we’ve done this together as a family.  We want to get the boys into running.”

The parents were two of the many wearing their favorite NFL team’s apparel. Bill stood out with his Cheesehead hat while his wife was more subdued in her Steelers black and gold.

So last year’s Super Bowl was not a problem in the Werling household?

“It was fine,” Bill said. “My team won.”

KIm got a measure of revenge on Sunday, being the first of the family to cross the finish line near the Bijou Street Bridge, as she was quick to point out after her husband’s quip.

“It was close, but I was the first to cross,” she said.

The family aspect of the event was very evident with mothers and daughters running or walking together and couples and families reuniting behind the finish line.

Family time is good, but it doesn’t compare to chips and dip for Mitchell Shaw, the young speedster from the 5K. His mother Gina Garcia-Shaw, knew he'd eat for the rest of the day.

“13-year-olds don’t stop eating anyway,” she said. “They don’t need a Super Bowl.”