Joe Gray, Robby Young and Pete Maksimow sprinted off the starting line in the Fall Series IV race at Palmer Park.

 Results!** Video, Race Start ** Interview with Robby Young ** Interview with Josh "Speedo" Herman of the Attack Pack ** Photos, Multiple Photo Galleries

By Mary Baldwin
PikesPeakSports.us

Fresh snow and sub-freezing temperatures didn't keep runners away from Sunday's Fall Series Finale at Palmer Park.

The field of 283 runners was led by Joe Gray, a nine-time national champion, who danced through the snow-covered singletrack course in 35 minutes, 21 seconds. Robby Young and Peter Maksimow followed Gray in a sprint for second and third places respectively. Stephanie Wurtz, Connilee Walter, and Sarah Young finished on top in the women’s race.

Young’s time of 36:26 secured the Fall Series overall title. He finished with a cumulative time of 2:03:29 for the four challenging races. Maksimow was second in 2:06:05, followed by Dan Vega in 2:12:01.

Young, who now has two Fall Series titles on his resume, said the slippery course and cold temperatures added to the challenge of an already hilly Palmer Park. He says Fall Series is unique in that it’s not about pure speed.

"It’s all about just getting out there and competing,” he said.

Gray took the lead on the first hill, and ran away from the field. "We stopped seeing him at about halfway," Young said.

Wurtz not only won the day, she also took the overall Fall Series title among women with a cumulative time of 2:33:44. Sarah Young (Robby's wife) was second in 2:39:47. Shannon Meredith was third in 2:41:31.

A quick-moving storm the night before left about two inches of snow on the course, forcing race director Larry Miller to cut the course short by two miles. The best guess had the total distance at a little more than five miles.

Many veteran Fall Series runners reported it being the easiest of the notoriously perilous cross-county series, void of the trademark technical stretches and unforeseen obstacles. Others, because of the hills, potential for falls, and wintry weather, were glad the finish line came early this year.

Despite the cold and risk of snowy falls, Fall Series competitor Josh Herman continued to sport the pink Speedo that has made him the talk of the Colorado Springs running community. “I don’t know when to shut my big mouth,” says Herman, who dared his team to buy the Speedo. “I said ‘if you buy me one, I’ll wear it all four races.’”

His team, The Attack Pack, obliged, and Herman made Colorado Springs running history as the man who showed more skin in the four-race series than any before him.

To acknowledge the achievements of the individuals and teams who completed this series, join the Pikes Peak Road Runners for their Member Dinner at the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 22. For all those who feel they missed out on the fun of the Fall Series, don’t despair, registration is now open for the Pikes Peak Road Runners’ 2015 Winter Series.