PHOTO: Three-time Olympic steeplechase competitor Justin Chaston, 42, of Colorado Springs, won the men's 5-mile race at the Pikes Peak Road Runners Winter Series No. 3 race Saturday on the Santa Fe Trail in Monument. Chaston, running in his first Winter Series race this year, finished in 28 minutes, 21 seconds. Connilee Walter (below right) won the women's 10-mile race in 1:14:35.


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VIDEO: Start of the 10-mile race
VIDEO: Start of the 5-mile race
VIDEO: Race director Mike Shafai talks about the course

PHOTO GALLERY: A great day to play in the snow (start and finish line)
PHOTOS: Winter Series 3, Gallery 1
PHOTOS: Winter Series 3, Gallery 2
PHOTOS: Winter Series 3, Gallery 3
PHOTOS: Winter Series 3, Gallery 4
PHOTOS: Winter Series 3, Gallery 5
PHOTOS: Winter Series 3, Gallery 6

Pikes Peak Road Runners Winter Series race director Mike Shafai may have said it best: "There is a reason we call it the Winter Series."
While the temperatures had warmed to about 50 degrees, the remnant's of last week's snow storm turned the course for the Winter Series No. 3 5- and 10-mile runs into an something that would have been better suited for dog sleds.
The out-and-back course had about eight inches of snow at its northern turnaround points.
Still, there were some impressive times turned in by the top runners.And it was a good day for newcomers to the series.
Justin Chaston and Connilee Walter of Colorado Springs, and Kenyan born Augustus Maiyo  all won in their first Winter Series races this year.
Chaston, 42, who came to the United States eight years ago from the United Kingdom, came away with the 5-mile victory, hitting the finish line in 28:21.
Though he finished with a smile on his face, Chaston said the snowy course conditions wore on him.
"It's rough out there," he said. "I haven't raced for a long time (New York City Marathon, Nov. 7). I needed a run. I'm just trying to stay fit."
Michael Weiss (29, Colorado Springs), a professional triathlete sponsored by the Boulder Running Company, placed second in 29:21. Weiss finished 13th in the Ironman World Championships pro division in 2010.
In the 10-mile run, Maiyo, a 27-year-old Fort Carson Soldier, blew away the field to win in 1:00:04
"I wanted to come out and guage myself to see where I am," he said.
Maiyo is attempting to earn on spot on the Army's World Class Athlete Program, which will allow him to train for bigger races, including the Olympic Games. Maiyo ran at the University of Alabama and specializes in the 3,000-meter steeplechase. He said he'll earn a spot in the World Class Athlete Program if he can hit an 8:32 in the steeple chase. 
Air Force Academy cadet Brandon Hough, 20, was second in 1:03.
The Colorado Running Company's Walter (37, Colorado Springs) won the women's 10-miler in 1:14:35. Series leader Stephanie Meredith (28, Colorado Springs), who runs for Runner's Roost, finished second in 1:16:31.
In the women's short course, the Colorado Running Club's Amanda Ewing (27, Colorado Springs) kept her Winter Series streak alive, winning for the third time in three series races. Ewing finished in 36:23. Mattie Jesmain (17, Pueblo West) was second at 37:28.