Sheila Geere won for the second time in the Winter Series Short-Course races on Saturday.
That's not a surprise, really. She has twice captured the overall series title.
But this is surprising: She had to walk part of the course.
That's how difficult the new hilly route in Bear Creek Park was for about 600 runners who turned out to enjoy some gorgeous January sunshine.
"I started off a lot slower than usual cause I live up the hill and I know the course. I actually had to stop and walk once to catch my breath," Geere said. "But I'm really happy with my time today. It was a little bit under 7-minute pace, and for as little as I run I'm happy about that."
Geere, 50, who runs like she isn't a day over 25, finished in 26 minutes, 44 seconds.
Hannah McIntyre, 18, was second in 27:42, followed by Crystal Goecker (27:55.)
James Burns won again in the men's short-course race, through he had reservations beforehand. He often catches a rest day before racing, but said he trained hard all week. But once the adrenaline started pumping, it was business as usual.
Burns, a lanky 25-year-old who won the short-course series in 2013, finished in 20:59. He enjoyed the new course.
"I like this better than the El Pomar course," he said. The hills are tough, but you have to have fun, enjoy it and push yourself."
Luke Dakin, 23, finished second in 21:53, a few strides ahead of Nick Baca.
In the 8-mile long-course race, Stephanie Wurtz won for the second time in as many starts. She clocked 53:28. Shannon Meredith was second in 54:06, followed by Amanda Ewing (53:34).
The men's long-course race turned out to be a bona fied youth movement with 18-year old Jared Hazen taking the win in 45:21, while Seth Kolosso, 19, charged home in 45:54. Corey Brown, 20, was third n 46:54.
The Winter Series continues on Feb. 8 on the Santa Fe Trail in Monument.