Competitors were just happy to be able to run in the 13^th installment of the Summer Roundup Trail Run 12-kilomter race Sunday in southwest Colorado Springs after the cancellation of the upcoming Barr Trail Mountain Race due to the recent Waldo Canyon Fire.

“It’s important to the racing community,” said local running icon Gerard Romero. “I was really glad (Triple Crown of Running race director) Ron (Ilgen) kept this going. It is the second leg of the Triple Crown so it is important. It is important we keep doing what we always do despite everything. The race was a real success.”

Of the 743 registered entrants, 679 finished.

Being familiar with the course, where Romero won the men’s overall titles in 2008 and 2009, also helps. Concerns about the fire prompted organizers to consider an alternate route.

“You know the curves. You know the hard parts and where you can push it,” Romero said. “You know how to work the course. That can be a big advantage.”

Ilgen is thankful to the Colorado Springs Police Department with providing the usual security needed to direct traffic away from the course despite being stretched painfully thin by fire containment efforts.

“Their presence allowed us to keep the original course,” Ilgen said. “They really came through for us.”

Ilgen announced that a fund will be established this week to help in the fire recovery efforts. A link for more information will soon be available on pikespeakmarathon.org.

Youngster adds to 30-month “finisher” streak

Liz Hunt of Colorado Springs had a familiar running mate as she ran the final 30 yards with 4 ½ -year-old son Ian alongside. Liz held the boy’s hand to steady him as they jogged across the finish line. He was soon playing with a new participants’ medal around his neck.

“He finishes every race with me; at least the ones where they will let him,” she said. “He has been doing it since about age 2.”

Building on a strong freshman season

2011 Cheyenne Mountain High School graduate Sarah Guhl, 19, who placed seventh overall in 58:44, is a recruited walk-on for the Baylor track and field program. A good season followed by a strong summer had her excited about her college prospects.

“I redshirted but I got to run a couple races as an unattached runner,” she said. “It is so much better than high school. It really pushes you to be better.”

Guhl is in fifth overall in the Triple Crown women’s overall standings but will miss the Pikes Peak Ascent to return to Waco to resume fall practice.

Nine records fall in 2012

The perfect weather (63 degrees, little wind) and a strong field made for a record-breaking day.

Nine marks were set, including the men’s age 25-29 and overall record (41:46) set by Ryan Hafer, who holds an almost six-minute lead in the Triple Crown men’s overall standings after two races over Steven Stoot (136:11 to 1:42:04).

Roundup runner-up Geoffrey Terer set a new men’s 35-39 record in 42:55, snapping the old mark of 45:48 set by Tommy Manning of Colorado Springs in 2011. The top four men all would have broken the old overall record of 44:54 set by Peter Maksimow in 2011. The old 25-29 mark was 45:34 by Alex Nichols in 2010.

Other age group records to fall were: women’s overall runner-up Rachael Cuellar (30, Albuquerque, female 30-34, 54:40, old mark 55:13, Carrie Zografos, Lakewood, set in 2011); Rochelle Persson (44, Colorado Springs, female 40-44, 55:02, old mark 56:04, Amy Regnier, Colorado Springs); Ron Hendricks (64, Larkspur, male 60-64, 57:47, old mark 1:01:10, Elliott Henry, Frisco, 2010); Amy Surage (Manitou Springs, 50, female 50-54, 1:00:37, old mark 1:04:50, Nancy Hobbs, Colorado Springs, 2011); Kayli Tabares (12, Colorado Springs, female 0-14, 1:00:44, old mark 1:11:39, Desiree Romero, Colorado Springs, 2004); Kay Martin (75, Phoenix, female 75-79, 1:40:44, old mark 1:55:21, Martha Kinsinger, Colorado Springs, 2011).