He's back ... but only for one race. Justin Ricks, the 2009 Fall Series champion, picked up where he left off with a victory on Sunday in the 2010 Fall Series opener at Monument Valley Park.
Ricks, 30, of Pueblo West, broke free from the pack in the first mile then held off a challenge by Logan Wealing as the runners slogged upstream through Monument Creek for about 3/4-mile.
Ricks, a former cross country runner at Wasson and at the University of Colorad at Colorado Springs, finished in 20:48, a time that becomes more impressive when considering the difficult course, and that he ran 14 miles before the race.
"I just jumped in here for fun," Ricks said.
He is training for the California International Marathon in December.
Wealing (29, Colorado Springs) eventually placed second, about 11 seconds behind Ricks. Peter Maksimow (31, Manitou Springs) was third in 21:41.
Rochelle Persson, 42, of Colorado Springs, won the women's race in 27:04. Lisa Czelatdko (40, Colorado Springs) was second in 28:28, followed by Nicole Rosa (50, Colorado Springs) and Molly McDaniel (27, Colorado Springs).
VIDEO: Rochelle Person wins women's race ... http://pikespeaksports.us/video/rochelle-persson-wins-fall
Men's Results: http://www.pikespeaksports.us/group/roadtrailrunning/forum/topics/fall-series-race-no-1-mens
Women's Results: http://www.pikespeaksports.us/group/roadtrailrunning/forum/topics/fall-series-race-no-1-womens