About 150 people gathered at the Clarion Hotel on Thursday to celebrate the Triple Crown of Running, a unique combination of three tough races held annually in the Pikes Peak Region.
Series overall awards were presented to runners in all of the age groups, plus masters and overall. It was a great evening to celebrate the longtime local race series.
The Triple Crown includes the Garden of the Gods 10 Mile Run, the Summer Roundup Trail Run and the Pikes Peak Ascent (or ascent portion of the Pikes Peak Marathon). Runners with the lowest cumulative times earn series awards.
Triple Crown race director Ron Ilgen served as master of ceremonies, while 12-time Pikes Peak Marathon champion Matt Carpenter presented the trophies.
The Triple Crown raised $6,636.50 for Friends of the Peak and $7,821.50 for El Paso County Search and Rescue.
The series is becoming popular. There were 405 who completed all three races this year, about 50 more than in 2007. Carpenter said the total number of series finishers was only about 150 a few years ago.