Crystal Goecker was a St. Mary's High School track star the last time she actually tried to win a race. Sixteen years and many miles later, Goecker made the decision to compete in races. She chose the Fall Series and it turned out to be a wise decision indeed. Goecker won the four-race series finale at Palmer Park on Sunday and captured the series title.
It wasn't easy, as Elizabeth Schultz, a newcomer to the Colorado Springs running community, won two of the four races and pushed Goecker every step of the way.
"She did really well," Goecker said. "It was definitely a challenge."
Goecker covered the tricky singletrack course - it was about 6.5 to 7 miles in length - in 59 minutes, 31 seconds. Connilee Walter was second among the women runners in 1:00:07, followed by Schultz in 1:00:15.
Goecker finished the series with a cumulative time of 2:45:09, about 1:42 ahead of Schultz.