Boulder – Michael Aish called on his experience and the rich rivalry between Division II powers Western State and Adams State on Monday to win his second Bolder Boulder’s citizen’s race title in three years.
Aish, a 28-year-old native of New Zealand who ran for Western State and still lives in Gunnison, won in 30 minutes, 40 seconds. Right behind him was runner-up Jesus Solis, an Adams State junior and graduate of ThunderRidge High School who finished in 30:44.
“I thought, ‘A little bit of pride here, I’ve got to hold up my end,”‘ Aish said of drawing on college loyalty. “He (Solis) is a real tough runner, and he’s got a lot of guts. In the end, maybe it just came down to reputation. I was hurting maybe more than he was, but I don’t think he realized it. Maybe experience helped me out a little bit.”
Aish’s wife, Nicole, ran for Team Colorado in the women’s elite race and finished 16th in 35:12. She also ran for Western State.
The top masters runner was Darren De Reuck, 40, who finished in 34:13.
Olympian takes citizen’s
Anna Pichrtova, a resident of Boulder who is from the Czech Republic, won the women’s citizen’s race in 34:31. Pichrtova ran the women’s marathon at the 2004 Athens Olympics, finishing 28th in 2:40.58.
“I love the training here and I know lots of people here, good runners, good friends,” said Pichrtova, 32. “I love to train with them in the mountains.”
Finishing second in 35:52 was Diane Gentry, 43. Gentry won her third masters title in four years.
By the numbers
Entrants totaled 46,481, third-most in race history. Finishers numbered 42,402, fourth- most in the race record book.
A slightly higher no-show percentage than normal may have been because of cool temperatures and the threat of rain, although the conditions were ideal for running.
Low clouds prevented the military jet flyover and sky divers that are traditional components of the Memorial Day observance.
King Saul
Saul Mendoza of Mexico won his eighth consecutive wheelchair title in 20:40. He owns eight of the fastest nine times in race history, including the record (19:45 in 2004).
Shirley Reilly of Tucson won the women’s wheelchair race in 26:24. Ariadne Hernandez of Mexico, who won the past four years, finished second (27:05).
Marathon man
Arthur Stanger of Boca Raton, Fla., finished in 54:42 and called his race a “cool-down” after running Sunday’s Wyoming Marathon in 5:52.00. Stanger, 46, has run 144 marathons and is looking forward to the Pikes Peak Marathon in August, a race he calls his favorite.
He plans to do the Pikes Peak Ascent the day before.
Finishing is winning
Larry Hancock, an 80-year-old World War II Navy veteran, finished the race but didn’t know his time.
“I didn’t pay any attention,” Hancock said. “I enjoyed it. I’m still standing up.”
